Another step in the zoning saga for Livingston Parish is now in the books, as the parish council unanimously approved new zoning maps at the end of February.
The next step? A master plan.
Attorney Steve Irving, who was hired by the council to clean up the current zoning ordinances and zoning maps, as well as establish zoning maps for council districts that had not yet implemented them, took the podium early in the meeting to give some background to the council about the process.
“In 2022, Livingston Parish started the zoning process of adopting a zoning ordinance,” Irving began, “using the authority (Livingston Parish) had at that time under the plan of government.”
Irving went on to explain that the parish adopted an ordinance and zoning maps for Districts 1, 5, 7, and 8 at that time. However, the map for District 5 was challenged in court and thrown out during an issue with land owned by Ascension Properties.
According to Irving, the amendments and final passage to adopt a parishwide zoning ordinance and recommended zoning maps at the meeting February 27 was just another step in the process. It will be July of 2025, Irving said, before a new Master Plan is in place to help enact better maps as the current Master Plan is dated, having been developed in 2013. The development of a new Master Plan and its adoption will constitute phase 2 of the process, while updating the zoning maps to take into account the new master plan will constitute phase 3.
However, Irving said the main purpose of adopting the restructure of the zoning ordinance and recommended maps before updating the master plan was to ‘stabilize development’ in Livingston Parish, which has faced a moratorium for over a year as the council battled with the zoning process. The moratorium was scheduled to be lifted upon adoption of a zoning ordinance, zoning maps, and a unified development code or by the end of March - whichever came first.
Irving said, when explaining the process, that comments from property owners about their current zoning or projected zoning with the 2013 master plan will be considered as the new master plan is developed.
There were four amendments that came up the night of the meeting and were ‘cleanup’ according to Irving. They are:
Councilwoman Erin Sandefur was concerned about the amendments to the ordinance, especially regarding due process and notice. Irving said that the ordinance and the public hearing were appropriately marketed and that the amendments were legal, in his opinion. All four amendments were passed unanimously after lengthy discussion.
Councilman John Wascom made the motion to adopt the zoning ordinance with new maps, with a second from John Mangus. The measure passed unanimously to applause from the audience. Parish President Randy Delatte offered to have a signing ceremony for the occasion, which occurred on the first Wednesday in March.
Mangus also wanted to add that he believed part of the amendments were confusing in that they designated gardens as not a ‘primary use of property.’ All that means, he explained, is that a garden can’t be the established zoning use for a piece of land, landowners can still have a garden if they so choose.
The meeting started with presentations from the Denham Springs High School STEM student group recently named as state finalists for the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM competition. The council and Parish President Randy Delatte congratulated the students and their faculty advisor on their accomplishment.
Additionally, Litter Abatement Director Lynda Gardiner presented updates on the "Clean Livingston Parish" initiative, emphasizing efforts to tackle waste and enhance environmental sustainability. Gardiner highlighted the agency’s partnership with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office and other businesses throughout the parish
Parish President Randy Delatte introduced a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Flood Awareness Month, highlighting the need for preparedness and community resilience. The proclamation was approved by the council unanimously.
Resolutions were adopted concerning public works, including authorizing a contract for the West Colyell Bridge replacement on Burgess Road, with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development funding 80% of the costs. Another resolution was passed to add Vincent Trace to the parish’s 2024/2025 Capital Improvements Program, ensuring road enhancements.
The council reviewed and approved several rezoning requests:
The council adopted multiple ordinances, including:
The council adopted several resolutions related to road safety and traffic improvements, including:
The council also approved board appointments for Recreation District No. 5 and received committee reports from the Finance, Infrastructure, and Ordinance Committees.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for March 13th, where additional infrastructure projects, zoning adjustments, and community initiatives are expected to be discussed.
