On Monday, February 2, 2026, the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning and Zoning Commission met at City Hall in Room 348 after formally rescheduling its January 26 meeting because of extreme weather. A quorum was present. The commission handled routine approvals, approved a consent agenda, heard extensive testimony on a contested Mid-City Ballroom rezoning, approved a multifamily rezoning and a wireless tower, and deferred a downtown street revocation.
Staff reported 20 messages in favor, 9 messages in opposition, and a petition in opposition with 45 signatures for the Mid-City Ballroom rezoning. Numerous residents and stakeholders testified in person.
Supporters included the applicant, neighbors, a business partner, musicians, and family members. They argued that Mid-City Ballroom is a well-run neighborhood event space, the rezoning would match its existing use, regulated alcohol sales would improve on BYOB, and the venue supports local musicians and the local economy. They also cited soundproofing, minimal parking problems, proactive communication, and stable nearby property values.
Opponents, mostly Ogden Park residents and neighboring property owners, argued that the site is not an entertainment district, CAB2 would allow operation until 2 a.m., parking overflows into residential and commercial lots, and the venue has caused noise, litter, inappropriate behavior, and a 2019 shooting. They also said the zoning would run with the property, the owner had operated after the 2021 BYOB ordinance change without knowing it was no longer legal, and an all-ages venue would be lost. Several opponents cited dismissive or vulgar responses from the owner, and one described a fatal drunk-driving crash as a reason to oppose more alcohol sales.
The other public hearings had no opposing speakers: Item 15 and Item 21 had only the applicant's presentation, and Item 16 had testimony from the applicant and a city official.
Applicant James Fogel requested a change from C1 to CAB2 (commercial alcohol beverage bar/lounge) for the Mid-City Ballroom. Staff certified the request met zoning change criteria. After public testimony, Commissioner Coleman moved to deny, citing the opposition petition, the owner's acknowledgement of operating under outdated BYOB rules, parking complaints, and the residential character of Ogden Park. A commissioner also noted that a permanent zoning change would remain with the property even if sold. The motion was seconded and carried without objection, denying the rezoning.
In rebuttal, the owner said the business had never been shut down, he only learned of the 2021 ordinance change when calling about rules, he had received no neighbor complaints in about two years, he did not plan to open until 2 a.m., and alcohol sales would be more regulated. He also said the 2019 incident was a drive-by shooting not connected to the venue.
Applicant Britney Moss requested a change from single-family residential to medium-density multifamily residential for a proposed four-unit development. Staff noted the request aligned with the Comprehensive Plan but could not certify it because of the property's mid-block location and potential impact on neighborhood density. Councilman Anthony Kenny submitted a letter of support. The applicant described professional management, exterior lighting, security cameras, background checks, no more than two vehicles of additional traffic, and a 50-plus-letter neighborhood mailing. Vice Chairman Grout moved to approve; Commissioner Addison questioned financing and precedent, and the applicant said resources were available. The motion was seconded and approved.
Guaranteed Media requested a 120-foot wireless communications tower with two waivers: one regarding the required separation from an existing tower and one allowing a 35-foot setback encroachment into adjacent right-of-way. Staff certified the request met minimum Unified Development Code requirements. No opposing speakers appeared. Commissioner Maxie moved to approve; the motion was seconded and approved.
Commissioner Coleman moved to reconsider Item 16, which had been approved on the consent calendar, and the commission granted the motion. Applicant Eric Piazza, representing the Belle of Baton Rouge casino, said the streets lie under existing casino buildings and the city asked for the revocation to clean up official maps. City official Rachel Lambert explained that structures encroaching into public rights-of-way create liability and that the revocation would still preserve utilities and a passage servitude. Commissioner Coleman, concerned that constituents had not been consulted and that historic brick/street concerns were unresolved, moved to defer the item to the February 23, 2026 meeting. The motion was seconded and approved.
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. Baldwin. Chairman Washington? Here. Vice Chairman Grout? Here. Commissioner Addison? Here. Commissioner Batts? Here. Commissioner Boyd. Here. Commissioner Coleman. Commissioner Ellender. Here. Commissioner Fowler. Commissioner Maxie. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. At this time, we'll move on to the next item to formally move the regularly scheduled meeting. Is there a motion to formally reschedule the January 26th meeting to February 2nd due to extreme weather? There's a motion on the floor from Commissioner Ellender, second from Vice Chairman Grout. Are there any objections? Seeing none, that item is approved. Now we'll go to Director Holcomb for a presentation to the employee of the year. Director Holcomb. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission. Each year, the planning director gets to select one staff member whose contributions over the previous 12 months has significantly advanced the work of the planning commission. For 2025, I'm proud to announce Glenn Hannah, Planning Project Coordinator, has been selected as the recipient of this award. Glenn, I'd ask you to join me if you can. Take a moment to embarrass you. Glenn has been working with the planning commission for 17 years. He works in the administrative administrative division. He oversees numerous planning projects throughout the office. Does studies played a key role in researching and revising many chapters of the Unified Development Code, including updates to landscape, signs, zoning districts, and various land uses. He also coordinates closely with other city parish departments to ensure that comments are addressed and projects are expedited and reviewed efficiently on time. In addition to his core responsibilities, Glenn has consistently stepped in to assist with training and staff, critical support during times of short staffing, and contributed to preparing the department's budget, his professionalism, reliability. He's often one of the first ones in the office every day, and commitment to the mission of the planning commission has had a meaningful impact on our operations and our community at large. Glenn's dedication and exceptional 17 years of service merit this recognition and award. Congratulations, Glenn. Congratulations, Glenn. I just want to say thank you. And it's just not one person, it's a whole department, and I think I work for the best department in City Parish. Thank you. We appreciate you, Glenn. I do want to say, I do want to say as a chairman, when I get here uh every night, Glenn's here. When I leave Glenn, Glenn's making sure we don't need anything else from that that extends past these formal planning and zoning commission meetings, but also the ancillary uh meetings that we have to support the uh the great work that the staff does for the constituents of uh East Baton Rouge Paris.