Planning & Zoning Commission · Thursday, February 5, 2026
Planning & Zoning Commission
St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
The St. Charles Parish Planning & Zoning Commission met on February 5, 2026 to review two minor resubdivisions, one special-use permit for an auto fleet-services business, and a parish ordinance amendment tightening rules for large solar energy farms. Commissioners also gave a "green light" for a broader set of C2 zoning-district text changes (covering contractor shops, microbreweries, and updated definitions) to be sent to the Council's legislative committee for further work. No members of the public spoke at any of the three public hearings held.
Decisions & Votes
Approved2026-1-MIN
Resubdivision of two lots into two at 313 and 315 River Ridge Drive, Bouty Zoning District R1A
Lot line shift resubdivision with waiver requested for lot width requirement (proposed 48.74 feet versus 60-foot minimum). Proposed Lot 26a1 meets requirements; Lot 25a1 is deficient by 1.26 feet. Department does not object to waiver. Waiver corrects existing encroachment and clears way to develop vacant lot.
Moved by PriceSeconded by Keene
Approved2026-2-MIN
Resubdivision of one lot into two on Luke Drive, Bayou Goss, Zoning District R1AM
Minor resubdivision dividing Lot 65 into Lots 65A and 65B, both meeting zoning area, width, and geometric standards. Existing structure on site failed structural analysis; demolition permit issued but structure remains. Approval contingent upon removal or repair of structure and submission of updated plan prior to recordation.
Moved by KeeneSeconded by Fulks
Approved2026-1-SPU
Automobile fleet services special permit for GM Elite Company at 150 Almedia Plantation Drive, St. Rose, Council District 5
Request for automobile fleet services operation (office and truck maintenance facility) in C3 zoning district. Most approval criteria met; site does not comply with required landscaping standards. Waiver requested and department does not object, but recommends additional plantings where feasible. Approval requires traffic impact analysis and may result in required roadway improvements.
Moved by PriceSeconded by Fulves
Approved2026-1-ORD
Amendment to St. Charles Parish Zoning Ordinance of 1981, Section 7—Large Solar Energy Systems
Amendment to supplemental use and performance regulations for large solar energy systems. Updates landscaping and buffer requirements, establishes minimum size for large solar farms (small/residential solar operations unaffected), and requires evaluation of glare in development. Developed in comparison with state regulations (from which parish opted out), other municipalities' standards, and Tangipahoa Parish regulations.
Moved by King
Approved2026-1-RES
Resolution to modernize commercial zoning use categories and definitions (C2/C3 zoning)
Resolution authorizing forwarding of proposed zoning modernization to legislative committee for further review. Addresses aging use categories and definitions (original ordinance from 1981), broadens flexibility for special permits in C2 zoning, adds definitions for uses now common (e.g., microbreweries), and includes optional design standards for contractor shops. Not yet ready for full ordinance vote; will return after legislative committee review.
Watch Items
- Council review still pending for all four approved items (2026-1-MIN waiver, 2026-2-MIN, 2026-1-SPU, and the 2026-1-ORD solar amendment), residents affected by 2026-1-SPU were told to expect a mailed notice [00:08:07].
- Traffic impact analysis for the GM Elite fleet-services site (2026-1-SPU) will be required during permitting and could lead to mandated roadway improvements [00:05:47]–[00:07:20].
- State solar-siting rules on financial responsibility/decommissioning penalties are expected around February 2026; the parish plans to update its ordinance again once those state rules are finalized [00:13:16]–[00:13:56].
- C2 zoning text amendments (2026-1-RES) are headed to the Council's legislative committee for further changes before returning to the Commission for a final vote [00:14:49]–[00:18:04]. Residents with substantive concerns were told to "put them in writing to the legislative committee" [00:17:47].
- Data center zoning classification: staff plans to explicitly clarify in the code (likely via the legislative committee process) where data centers fit, since they are currently only implicitly treated as an industrial use [00:19:57]–[00:20:39].
Published July 7, 2026 · Last updated July 9, 2026