Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - August 18, 2025

The Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission met on August 18, 2025, to consider several rezoning requests, a text amendment, and a conditional use permit for a seasonal corn maze. The meeting included a consent agenda, public hearings, and commission votes. Key outcomes included approval of most items except the Louisiana Maze conditional use permit, which was denied after extensive public testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Items Approved: Case 2725 (rezoning to LC3 at Gulf South Parkway), Case 2825 (rezoning to A1 at Comeet Drive, pulled to regular agenda later), SS225 (subdivision on 72nd Avenue), SP525 (multifamily on Perkins Road) were all placed on the consent agenda. Item 6 was pulled by a public speaker and heard separately. The remaining consent items were approved by motion without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 6 (6263 Comeet Drive rezoning): Sergio Orelano spoke in opposition, expressing concerns about poor construction quality by contractors if new homes were built. He identified himself as a painter and neighbor.
• Item 8 (Louisiana Maze conditional use permit):
  • Proponents: Applicant Donald Corville and his daughter Beth Crochet spoke in favor, emphasizing 24 years of safe operation, agritourism benefits, educational value, and a strong safety record. They noted over 125 messages of support (later revealed many were from outside the district).
  • Opponents: Multiple residents spoke against the proposal. Ashley Chandler (adjacent landowner, family farm since 1800s) presented a petition of 387 signatures opposing the maze. Key concerns included:
    • Traffic safety on narrow rural roads (Piers Road, North Joel Road) with limited shoulders, blind hills, and danger to emergency vehicles.
    • Five major pipelines beneath the property (Florida Gas and Plantation Pipeline), with historical explosions in the area (1967, 1977, 1980, 2013) and risk of catastrophic rupture.
    • Noise from air cannons, propane bombs, and loudspeakers disturbing livestock and wildlife.
    • Flood risk from nearby creeks (Little Sandy, Bear Branch, Beaver Creek), referencing a recent flash flood tragedy in Texas.
    • Lack of site lighting, sewer treatment, warning signs, and fencing.
  • Thomas Chandler, a firefighter with 23 years of experience, detailed the dangers of a pipeline fire, noting the nearest shutoff valve miles away and limited local hospital capabilities.
  • Larry Pierce, a lifelong resident, recounted the 1967 explosion and severe flash flooding on the property.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Knowle (Council District 1) spoke in opposition, stating the applicant failed to do due diligence, the community does not want commercialization, and he was joined by State Representative Kelly Hennessy Dickerson in opposition.

Discussion Items

• Items 2 & 3 – Samuels Road Plan Amendment and Rezoning (Case 2925): The applicant, Randy Herron, requested a future land use change from Agricultural Rural to Commercial and rezoning to Commercial Warehousing 1 (CW1) for a 4,000–10,000 sq. ft. warehouse on the north side of Mount Pleasant Zachary Road. Staff recommended approval. The commission approved the motion (motion by Coleman, second by Ellender) with no objections.
• Item 4 – Text Amendment 125 (Fences and Walls): A UDC amendment to Section 9.5.2D, allowing fences and walls to be placed closer to streets when matching existing predominant fences or abutting wider sidewalks. The Federation of Civic Associations and Growth Coalition submitted no objections. Approved without opposition (motion by Addison, second by Scrogs).
• Item 6 – Rezoning 6263 Comeet Drive (Case 2825): The applicant requested downzoning from Heavy Commercial (C2) to Single Family Residential (A1) on approximately 5 acres. Staff certified consistency. The commission clarified that without approval, intensive C2 uses (multifamily, liquor stores, etc.) could proceed. The downzoning would restrict density to 4.1 units per acre. Approved (motion by Addison, second by Fowler).
• Item 7 – PUD 124 Nicholson West Concept Plan Revision: The applicant proposed removing medium-density residential, reducing commercial office space, and decreasing total units. Staff recommended approval after addressing neighbor concerns in a prior deferral. Commissioner Coleman noted the applicant resolved issues and moved approval, seconded by Boyd. Approved.
• Item 8 – Louisiana Maze Conditional Use Permit (CUP 625): The applicant sought a conditional use permit for a seasonal corn maze (October–November, daylight hours) on 50+ acres at 14162 Piers Road, zoned Rural/Agricultural. Staff received 125 messages in support and 121 in opposition. After extensive public testimony, Commissioner Coleman moved to deny, citing safety concerns over pipelines, narrow roads, flood zones, and lack of community engagement. Commissioner Fowler seconded. Commissioner Scrogs objected. The motion carried, and the permit was denied.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved items 5, 9, and 10.
• Items 2 & 3 (Samuels Road) approved.
• Item 4 (Text amendment) approved.
• Item 6 (Comeet Drive rezoning) approved (downzoning from C2 to A1).
• Item 7 (Nicholson West PUD revision) approved.
• Item 8 (Louisiana Maze CUP) denied (motion to deny by Coleman, second by Fowler; one objection by Scrogs).
• The commission recognized employee of the month Yolanda Derek from current planning.
• Next meeting scheduled for September 15, 2025.