St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting to confirm new department leadership, restructure parish government, and address zoning for a fast-growing industry. Council members confirmed Brandon Bernard as Director of Public Works and Miles Bingham as Director of a newly created Department of Engineering, splitting day-to-day operations from capital-project design work. The council also passed a new zoning ordinance regulating data centers in the parish's industrial districts, adding a noise standard and buffer requirements after lengthy public and council debate, and approved several property sales and a coastal shoreline protection agreement for Lake Salvador.
Decisions & Votes
Approved2026-0171
Create Department of Engineering
Ordinance to amend St. Charles Parish Code of Ordinances Chapter 2 Administration, Article 2, Departments by adding Section 2-24 to create the Department of Engineering and provide for its responsibilities and functions. The department will manage engineering services for all parish departments, including design management, construction coordination, permitting review, and capital projects planning.
Moved by Ms. SkibaSeconded by Mr. Fisher
Approved2026-0162$20,000.00
Sale of Eastern Greenbelt Park Property to Shell Oil
Ordinance to approve and authorize the parish president to execute an act of sale to Shell Oil for two lots (Lot 1A, Block F1, and Lot 11A, Block H) in Eastern Greenbelt Park, Norco, Louisiana, for $20,000. Declares the park property is no longer needed for public purpose.
Approved2026-0170
Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Data Centers
Ordinance to amend the St. Charles Parish Code of Ordinances zoning regulations to add definitions and permitted uses for data centers in M1 and M2 manufacturing districts, with supplemental regulations including noise restrictions (55 decibels), 300-foot setbacks, buffering, and landscaping requirements. Includes amendment defining adjacency standards.
Moved by Ms. O'DanielsSeconded by Mr. Daniels
Approved2026-0172$85,575.00
Professional Services Agreement for Milling Drainage Improvements
Ordinance approving and authorizing execution of a professional services agreement with All South Consulting Engineers, LLC for the Milling Drainage Improvements project (P260501). Work includes survey and design services to reroute drainage from a collapsing culvert near the hospital to Milling Street and improve drainage in the general area.
Approved2026-0163$80,000.00
Sale of Sewerage District Property (Norco Park)
Ordinance approving and authorizing the parish president to execute an act of sale for property known as Eastern Greenbelt Park (Lots 31, 32, and 33 in Good Hope Subdivision, Block E, Norco) to Shell Oil for $80,000. Sewerage District No. 1 declares property no longer needed for public purpose. Proceeds designated for recreation improvements in Norco.
Approved2026-0182
Waiver of Subdivision Regulations - Glendon Nelson Jr.
Resolution endorsing a waiver from Appendix C Subdivision Regulations Section 3 Geometric Standards B (blocks arrangement) to allow a minor subdivision of one lot into four lots, with three lots served by an existing access easement and lacking road frontage.
Approved2026-0183$3,377,781.75
Intergovernmental Agreement for Lake Salvador Shoreline Protection Project Engineering and Design
Resolution approving intergovernmental agreement between St. Charles Parish and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) for engineering and design phase of Lake Salvador Shoreline Protection Project BA-0292. Secures $3 million CPRA appropriation plus $377,781.75 GOMESA funding for 15-mile shoreline protection project along three reaches of Lake Salvador shoreline.
Approved2026-0185
Waiver of 500-Foot Distance Requirement for Alcohol License - Birdie's Dust Bowl
Resolution waiving the 500-foot distance requirement for protected organizations and allowing issuance of a Class B retailer alcohol license for Birdie's Dust Bowl convenience store at 12590 River Road, Destrahan, as requested by Naboot Brothers Real Estate LLC.
Approved2026-0173
Calendar of Official Action for 2027 Budget and Public Hearing Dates
Resolution setting the calendar of official action for the 2027 budget with public hearing dates scheduled for October 20, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., October 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., and Monday, October 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Watch Items
- Public hearing set for Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, Courthouse, Hahnville, on:
- An ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance 25-9-8, which approved the Professional Services Agreement with GIS Engineering, LLC, to perform additional engineering services for the Turtle Pond Pump Station and Upstream Drainage Improvements (Project No. P250901), increasing the overall contract value to $1,411,180.50. - An ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Royal Engineers and Consultants, LLC, to perform engineering services for the Lake Salvador Shoreline Protection Project (Project No. P260502), in an amount not to exceed $3,377,781.75.
- Data center noise standards need further work. Although the council adopted a 55-decibel noise limit for data centers, Chairman Pilié raised concerns that the standard may not adequately address low-frequency noise from data center equipment. The administration agreed to work with acoustic engineers to consider additional measures, including C-weighted noise analysis and monitoring at greater distances, before any data center project is approved.
- Code enforcement transparency. Council member Wilson asked staff to create a resident-facing explanation (such as a handout) of the specific ordinances behind code enforcement actions like grass-cutting or vehicle violations, so residents understand the rules being enforced. Staff agreed to develop this.
- Floodplain rating review. The Department of Planning & Zoning is pursuing a further reduction in the parish's Community Rating System (CRS) score, aiming for a "5" rating (from the current "6") before the October renewal deadline, which would lower flood insurance costs parish-wide.
- DOTD sand/dirt buildup at LA 3160 and LA 18. The parish is monitoring an ongoing hazard caused by dirt from a nearby sandpit and is considering invoicing the responsible company rather than having taxpayers absorb the cleanup cost.
Appointments, Proclamations & Recognitions
Approved2026-0186
Confirmation Hearing: Director of Public Works - Brandon Bernard
Confirmation hearing and appointment of Brandon Bernard as Director of the Department of Public Works. Bernard will manage day-to-day field operations and crews of the public works department.
Approved2026-0187
Confirmation Hearing: Director of Engineering - Miles Bingham
Confirmation hearing and appointment of Miles Bingham as Director of the Department of Engineering. Bingham is a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience in municipal projects and will lead the newly created Department of Engineering.
Approved2026-0156
Appointment to St. Charles Parish Communications District
Resolution confirming appointment of Lt. Devin Laverge to the St. Charles Parish Communications District representing the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, filling vacancy caused by resignation of Lt. Mikkel Melton. Unexpired term to expire August 19, 2027.
Approved2026-0169
Appointment of Official Journal for St. Charles Parish Council
Resolution appointing the St. Charles Herald Guide as the official journal of St. Charles Parish Council for the period June 2026 through June 2027 at rates of $1.96 per column inch for type-set advertising and $2.46 per column inch for scan-ready advertising, complying with state maximum of $6 per 100 words.