Planning & Zoning Commission · Thursday, March 6, 2025
Planning & Zoning Commission
St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
The St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Commission met to consider several zoning and subdivision requests, a sign-size waiver, and three parish-sponsored measures addressing flood-prevention rules and coastal zone permitting. The most consequential outcome was the commission's rejection of a rezoning request for property on St. Rose Avenue in St. Rose after multiple residents and business owners spoke against it, while a lot resubdivision in Luling and an AT&T sign waiver were both approved. The commission also voted to support a temporary transfer of coastal zone permitting duties to itself and approved two technical amendments to the parish's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, all of which now head to the Parish Council for final action.
Decisions & Votes
tabled2024-8-SPU
Boarding House in C1 Zoning District, Norco
Request by Regina Joseph for a boarding house in a C1 zoning district at 318 Clayton Drive, Norco. Item tabled pending council meeting.
Approved2025-3-MIN
Re-subdivision of One Lot into Two, St. Rose
Request by Ravenland LLC to resubdivide a large parcel into Lots 1A and Parcel VL at 1313 Paul Mallard Road. Parcel VL does not meet width requirements; waiver requested and recommended for approval to facilitate future transfer of VL Lane to the parish.
Denied2025-2-R
Change of Zoning from C2 to R2, St. Rose
Request by Malcolm Darensburg for MAD3 LLC to change zoning from neighborhood commercial (C2) to two-family (R2) on lots 1A and 2A, Square B, St. Rose Subdivision at 117 St. Rose Avenue.
Approved49358
Sign Waiver for AT&T, Highway 90 Corridor
Request by Lance Baker for AT&T for a waiver from maximum size and tax sign regulations in the Highway 90 Corridor Overlay Zone. Attached sign proposed at 53.125 square feet, exceeding the 11 square foot limit based on unit width.
Approved2025-1-RES
Resolution Supporting Transfer of Local Coastal Zone Management Functions
Resolution supporting transfer of Local Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee functions to the Planning Commission for an interim period of up to 18 months or until the committee is reappointed. Covers coastal use permits and coastal zone management appeals.
Approved2025-2-ORD
Amendment to Add Base Flood Elevation Definition
Amendment to Section 20-B of the St. Charles Parish Zoning Ordinance of 1981 to add a definition of base flood elevation to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Definition required by FEMA and already binding; this addition places the term in the required location in the code.
Approved2025-3-ORD
Amendment to Add General Standards for Water Supply Systems
Amendment to Section 20-E-1 of the St. Charles Parish Zoning Ordinance of 1981 to add general standards for new and replacement water supply systems to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Addresses stormwater infiltration requirements.
Watch Items
- 2024-8-SPU (Regina Joseph's request for a boarding house/residential care home in a C-1 zoning district at 318 Clayton Drive, Norco) remains on hold and was not acted on. It stays on the table pending a council meeting.
- 2025-3-MIN (Raven Land LLC's resubdivision request in Luling) was approved by the commission and will go to the Parish Council for a supporting resolution, with residents to be notified by mail of the council hearing date.
- 2025-2-R (Malcolm Darensbourg's request to rezone property on St. Rose Avenue from C-2 to R-2) failed at the commission level but will still be forwarded to the Parish Council for consideration. Residents should watch for a council hearing date, as commissioners noted this matter is not resolved and will go before council regardless of the commission's vote.
- The following items, all recommended for approval by the commission, are headed to the Parish Council and may involve future public hearings:
- 2025-1-RES, the resolution supporting a transfer of Local Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee duties to the Planning Commission for an interim period of up to 18 months. - 2025-2-ORD, amending Section XX.B of the zoning ordinance to add a definition of "Base Flood Elevation" to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. - 2025-2-ORD, amending Section XX.E.1 of the zoning ordinance to add standards for new and replacement water supply systems to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
- Commissioners raised questions about what training they would receive if they take on coastal zone permitting duties. Parish staff said no formal training currently exists but offered to arrange sessions reviewing past cases; residents should watch for whether that training materializes before the 18-month interim period begins.
- The Quarterly Commissioner Training Workshop is scheduled for March 22, 2025, with parish reimbursement available for related travel expenses.
Published July 13, 2026
Public Comments