Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - October 20, 2025
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Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - October 20, 2025
The Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission met on October 20, 2025, to consider rezoning and conditional use permit requests. The commission approved consent items, a rezoning for a wedding venue, and a conditional use permit for a retreat center.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the September 15, 2025 meeting.
- Deferred Item 9 (CS 1125, 7740 Pettit Road) to December 15, 2025, per council request.
- Approved consent items for approval: Item 2 (4914 Government Street rezone to CAB1), Item 4 (1927 South River Road rezone to HC2), Item 5 (1857 Government Street rezone to CAB2), Item 6 (7477 Burbank Drive rezone to LC2 and CAB2), Item 7 (5825-5875 Airline Highway rezone to A4), and Item 8 (CUP 725, Big Rock Oaks Retreat Center) was pulled from the consent agenda to be heard separately.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 – South Haven Park Court Rezone: Deborah Semino, representing the Sherwood Forest HOA, stated the HOA was neither opposed nor in favor but highlighted neighbor concerns about noise from the proposed wedding venue. She noted ongoing conversations with the applicant. No other public speakers.
- Item 8 – Big Rock Oaks Retreat Center: Theodore Powell, a neighbor, expressed concerns about flooding, drainage, high-powered rifle hunting, wastewater infrastructure, and property value impacts. Doug Barlow raised concerns about liability from people wandering onto his property and property value reduction.
Discussion Items
- Item 3 – Case 3625 (10910 & 10920 South Haven Park Court): Applicant Keithan Emory requested rezoning from Heavy Commercial C2 to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage Restaurant (CAB1) to allow alcohol service at a wedding venue already permitted under C2. Emory described a community meeting organized with Councilman Cleve Dunn and Director Holcomb, noting constructive feedback. Director Holcomb confirmed the meeting was positive and that the councilman continued working with the neighborhood. The commission discussed noise concerns and noted that alcohol permits can be affected by noise complaints. The rezoning was approved (motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Ellender).
- Item 8 – CUP 725 (1822 Stony Point Birch Road): Applicants Dan DeCody and Rich Major proposed a conditional use permit for a retreat center with six small cabins for small group professional training, noting no reception hall plans. They emphasized the retreat’s focus on entrepreneur development and that the property would not be used for hunting club activities. Director Holcomb clarified that the request is a conditional use permit, not a rezoning, and that proper notification was sent. Commissioner questions addressed drainage and flood zone compliance; the architect confirmed all development is outside the flood zone. The permit was approved (motion by Commissioner Addison, second by Vice Chairman Grout).
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent agenda items as listed (excluding Item 8, which was heard separately).
- Approved Item 3 (Case 3625) rezoning to CAB1 (motion passed).
- Approved Item 8 (CUP 725) conditional use permit for Big Rock Oaks Retreat Center (motion passed).
- Director Holcomb announced upcoming landscape ordinance revisions and the next meeting on November 17, 2025.
- Commissioner comments recognized Christian Smith as employee of the month.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and thank you. Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us for tonight's planning and zoning commission meeting. At this time, we'll have the roll call, Mr. Holcomb. Chairman Washington. Here. Chairman Washington. Here. Vice Chairman Grout? Here. Commissioner Addison. Commissioner Boyd. Commissioner Brunell? Here. Commissioner Coleman. Commissioner Ellioter? Here. Commissioner Fowler. Commissioner Scrogs. We have a quorum. Thank you, Director Holcomb. At this time, we'll move on to the approval of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the September 15th meeting? There's a motion for Commissioner Ellender, second by Vice Chairman Grout. Are there any objections to approving the minutes? Seeing none, these items have now been approved. At this time, I'll ask the Vice Chairman to read in the rules for conducting a public hearing. Rules for conducting public hearings. This is a public meeting. Any interested member of the public who wishes to speak or wishes to comment on an item from this agenda may comment in person at City Hall 222 St. Louis Street, third floor, room 348 during the meeting. Members of the public desiring to speak on a particular item could refer to the meeting agenda and complete the necessary information prior to the meeting by filling out a request of speak card indicating which item you would you wish to speak on and place it in the designated location prior to the meeting. Applicant and applicant's representatives for the proposal will speak first for a total or combined period not to exceed 15 minutes. Proponents will speak and then the opponents. Speakers are requested to limit their remarks by overwhelming duplication of their presentations. Applicant will be allowed a total uh a total period of five minutes for rebuttal. Opponents will not be allowed to rebut. Items placed on the consent agenda by the planning commission staff will not have time allocated for speaking unless there is a member of the public at the meeting who wishes to speak on the item. In such cases, the proposal will follow the standard procedure. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chairman Grout. Commissioners, we will now move on to the consent agenda. Mr. Baldwin. Consent items for deferral. Item 9, CS 1125, WIPET track 7740 Pettit Road. Proposed flag lot minor subdivision located on the west side of Pettit Road, north of Water's Edge Avenue. Deferred by Council Member Kenny to December 15th. Consent items for approval.
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