LIVINGSTON, La. — The Livingston Parish Council advanced several major items during its Sept. 25 meeting, including the introduction of a $91.29 million bond ordinance, appointments to parish boards, hazard mitigation property acquisitions, and a series of zoning decisions.
Council members unanimously introduced an ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $91,290,000 in sales tax revenue bonds. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Oct. 9. The parish administration also submitted its draft 2026 budget for council review ahead of the Sept. 30 charter deadline.
The council approved the appointment of Deborah B. Kropog to the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority Board and ratified the earlier appointment of Brandon Browning.
One acquisition ordinance was adopted, and three others were introduced as part of the FEMA-funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Properties included homes on Carpenter Street, Wolf Creek Place, Denham Drive, and Jessie Street in Denham Springs. Parish staff noted all of the buyouts are 100% federally funded, requiring no local match.
Council members voted on multiple rezoning requests recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission:
9102 Dabney Drive (District 4): Approved from R-1 to C-1.
Hemisphere Lane (District 5): Denied a request from R-2 to R-1 after opposition from residents citing property values and neighborhood character.
South Satsuma Road parcels (District 1): Approved rezoning from special/agricultural classifications to R-1.
The most extensive discussion of the night came on 35576 Old LA Highway 16 (District 2), where property owner Brian Fontenot requested rezoning from C-1/AG to R-2 residential.
Councilman Ryan Chavers, who represents the district, attempted to amend the request to R-1. “I just can’t support R-2, and the reason why I cannot support R-2 is because of the safety concern of the traffic,” he said. “We already have to have Sheriff Jason Ard direct traffic at 1019 and Old Highway 16, because traffic backs up all the way to Will Allen Road. It’s just not feasible.”
Fontenot maintained that R-2 was appropriate and rejected the R-1 alternative. After debate and public comment, the substitute motion for R-1 failed, and the council ultimately approved the R-2 rezoning.
Chavers noted he had “always supported the council member in their district” and expressed disappointment that his colleagues did not extend the same support. He also tied his opposition to his campaign platform, saying, “I ran on slowing down development, and that’s what I’m trying to do here.”
After discussion, the amendment failed, and the council went on to approve the Planning Commission’s original R-2 recommendation by a single vote.
The vote breakdown on this issue is as follows
Amendment vote – R-1 proposal
Motion: Rezone from C-1/AG to R-1
Motion by Councilman Chavers
❌ For (3): Chavers, Sandefur, Erdey, Coates,
✅ Against (6): Watts, Taylor, Wascom, Mangus, Goff
Result: Failed, 4–5
Final vote – R-2 rezoning
Motion: Approve rezoning from C-1/AG to R-2
Motion by Councilman Goff
✅ For (5): Watts, Taylor, Wascom, Mangus, Goff
❌ Against (4): Chavers, Sandefur, Erdey, Coates
Result: Approved, 5–4
Council members approved a waiver of building line requirements for Creekstone Juban, LLC at Juban Crossing, where additional retail developments are planned. Routine minutes were adopted, committee reports were delivered, and the District Attorney provided an update.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
