OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 20, 2026

Planning Commission — Monday, April 20, 2026
BodyBaton Rouge, Louisiana
SessionPlanning Commission
DateMonday, April 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us for tonight's planning and zoning commission meeting.

0:07

At this time, we will have the roll call.

0:10

Mr.

0:10

Holcomb.

0:11

Chairman Washington.

0:12

Vice Chairman Grout.

0:14

Here.

0:15

Commissioner Addison.

0:17

Commissioner Betts.

0:20

Commissioner Boyd.

0:22

Commissioner Coleman.

0:24

Commissioner Allener.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Commissioner Fowler?

0:26

Here.

0:27

Commissioner Maxie.

0:28

Here.

0:29

We have a call.

0:30

Thank you, Mr.

0:31

Director.

0:33

First item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from March 16th, 2026.

0:39

Is there a motion to approve the minutes from March 16 meeting?

0:44

We have a motion from Commissioner Addison.

0:47

Second from Commissioner Coleman.

0:49

Are there any objections to approving the meeting minutes?

0:53

Seeing none, those have been approved.

0:55

At this time, I will read in the rules for conducting public hearings.

0:59

This is a public meeting.

1:00

Any interesting member any interested member of the public who wishes to comment on any item in this agenda may comment in person at City Hall 222 St.

1:10

Louis Street, third floor, room 348 during the meeting.

1:14

Members of the public desiring to speak on a particular item should refer to a meeting agenda and complete the necessary information prior to the meeting by filling out a request to speak card indicating which item you wish to speak and place it in the designated location prior to the meeting.

1:29

Applicant and applicants representatives for the proposal will speak first for a total or not to or combined period not to exceed 15 minutes.

1:39

Proponents will speak and then the opponents.

1:43

Excuse me.

1:44

Each speaker will not be allowed more than three minutes.

1:46

Speakers are requested to limit their remarks by avoiding duplication in their presentations.

1:52

Applicant will be allowed a total of five minutes for rebuttal.

1:55

Opponents will not be allowed to revive.

1:58

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.

2:08

In such cases, the proposal will follow the standard procedure.

2:12

We can we can now move on to the consent agenda.

2:15

Mr.

2:16

Baldwin.

2:17

Consent items for deferral.

2:19

Item 4, Cup 226, Faith Tabernacle of Zachary.

2:23

22838.

2:24

Plank Road.

2:25

Proposed religious institution on property located on the east side of Plank Road, south of Fort Hudson Pride Road.

2:31

Deferred by Councilmember Knoll to June 15th.

2:34

Item 6, Cup 426.

2:37

Voices of Mercy Outreach Ministries, 5100, 5200, and 5165 Monarch Avenue and 5190 Pierless Street.

2:45

Proposed religious and educational institution on property located on the north side of Monarch Avenue, east of Kissle Street.

2:52

Deferred by the planning director to June 15th.

2:55

Consent items for approval.

2:56

Item 3, case 1526, 5956, and 5986 Stumberg Lane to rezone from rural to Lake Commercial 3 LC3 on property located on the west side of Stumberg Lane, north of Jefferson Highway.

3:09

Item 5, Cup 326, Open Door Fellowship Church, 8235 Greenwill Street.

3:14

Proposed religious institution on property located on the north side of Greenwill Street, east of Linear Drive.

3:20

Item 7, CS 326, AJ Debrosky.

3:24

Dilborowski's track, 8868, Lemon Road.

3:28

Proposed flag lot minor subdivision located on the south side of Lemon Road, west of Plank Road.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████19%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████████16%
Cannabis Regulation████████████████16%
Public Health██████████10%
Sports And Recreation████████8%
Faith Based Initiatives███████7%
Food Security███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission met on April 20, 2026, to consider consent agenda items and a regular agenda item, Zoning Case 1426. The meeting began with roll call, approval of the March 16, 2026 minutes, and a public hearing on a request to rezone property at 2639 North Street, Suite A, from heavy commercial (C2) to commercial alcohol beverage, bar and lounge (C82) for a proposed sports lounge. After hearing public testimony and commission discussion, the item was approved with one opposing vote.

Consent Calendar

  • Deferrals:
    • Item 4 (CUP 226): Faith Tabernacle of Zachary, 22838 Plank Road – deferred by Councilmember Knoll to June 15, 2026.
    • Item 6 (CUP 426): Voices of Mercy Outreach Ministries, 5100, 5200, and 5165 Monarch Avenue and 5190 Pierless Street – deferred by the planning director to June 15, 2026.
  • Approvals (all certified as consistent with the comprehensive plan and Unified Development Code):
    • Item 3 (Case 1526): Rezone 5956 and 5986 Stumberg Lane from rural to Lake Commercial 3 (LC3).
    • Item 5 (CUP 326): Open Door Fellowship Church, 8235 Greenwill Street.
    • Item 7 (CS 326): AJ Debrosky Dilborowski's track, 8868 Lemon Road – flag lot minor subdivision.
    • Item 8 (CS 426): A.T. Berece property, 19190 Plank Road – flag lot minor subdivision.
    • Item 9 (CS 526): Charles Ratcliffe property, 6100 Zachary Slaughter Highway – flag lot minor subdivision.
    • Item 10 (SP 426): Howl Village Commercial Development, 7802 Howe Boulevard and 3700-3800 Harding Boulevard – commercial development. Councilman Anthony B. Kinney expressed support, noting the project would address food insecurity in North Baton Rouge.
  • Consent items were approved unanimously by motion of Commissioner Addison, seconded by Commissioner Coleman.

Public Comments & Testimony (Zoning Case 1426)

  • Applicant (Denisha V.): Explained the proposal is for a sports lounge, not a bar or liquor store. Addressed concerns about alcohol and security, stating it would be a controlled environment with strict ID checks, zero tolerance for underage drinking, and trained security staff. Highlighted a community giveaway over Easter weekend.
  • Supporters:
    • Ronald Randall: Supported the lounge as a place for working people to watch games responsibly, noting alcohol is a choice. Others (Derek Robinson, Darrell Selders) submitted support cards but did not speak.
    • A petition with 71 signatures from nearby residents was presented by a commissioner.
  • Opponents (6 speakers):
    • Terry Smith (resident since age 10): Described personal experience with alcoholism in his family and listed 8-10 existing alcohol outlets within walking distance. Argued the area is saturated with alcohol and tire shops and does not need more.
    • Dexter Paul (24-year resident): Stated that alcohol changes people’s behavior and that additional outlets would cause ruckus despite security.
    • Robert Sensley: Shared a story of a neighbor who died from a heart attack related to alcohol use, noting the negative impact on families.
    • Tara Wicker (longtime resident): Asked the commission to protect the neighborhood from further decline. Cited crime, gun violence, and the lack of a grocery store in the food desert. Urged the commission to prioritize healthy economic development over alcohol.
    • Michael Wicker (property owner of four nearby properties): Opposed the rezoning due to oversaturation of alcohol outlets and tire shops, which depress property values and attract negative activity. Suggested a moratorium on certain business types.
  • Applicant’s rebuttal: Argued that a controlled, accountable environment reduces risk, and that alcohol consumption is a personal choice.

Discussion Items

  • Commissioners discussed the community support petition (71 signatures) versus oral opposition. One commissioner emphasized the need to listen to the community and noted that nearby businesses (including hotels) often benefit from new developments. Another commissioner highlighted that noise ordinances and security requirements are enforceable.
  • A motion to approve the rezoning was made and seconded (Commissioner Addison). One commissioner (Commissioner Boyd) voiced opposition. The motion carried with one opposing vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Zoning Case 1426 approved (8-1): The request to rezone 2639 North Street, Suite A from C2 to C82 (commercial alcohol beverage, bar and lounge) was approved. The applicant may proceed with the sports lounge, subject to all Unified Development Code requirements.
  • Director’s Comments: Announced the 2026 Louisiana Brownfields Conference on May 13-14 at the Queen Casino downtown (District 10) and the next planning commission meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026.
  • Commissioner Comments: Congratulated Emmanuel Xanders, planning manager, who was named employee of the month for his work overseeing land development and zoning applications, including assisting with Unified Development Code changes and fee schedule amendments.
  • Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Maxie, seconded by Commissioner Golden.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us for tonight's planning and zoning commission meeting. At this time, we will have the roll call. Mr. Holcomb. Chairman Washington. Vice Chairman Grout. Here. Commissioner Addison. Commissioner Betts. Commissioner Boyd. Commissioner Coleman. Commissioner Allener. Here. Commissioner Fowler? Here. Commissioner Maxie. Here. We have a call. Thank you, Mr. Director. First item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from March 16th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve the minutes from March 16 meeting? We have a motion from Commissioner Addison. Second from Commissioner Coleman. Are there any objections to approving the meeting minutes? Seeing none, those have been approved. At this time, I will read in the rules for conducting public hearings. This is a public meeting. Any interesting member any interested member of the public who wishes to comment on any item in 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 should refer to a meeting agenda and complete the necessary information prior to the meeting by filling out a request to speak card indicating which item you wish to speak and place it in the designated location prior to the meeting. Applicant and applicants representatives for the proposal will speak first for a total or not to or combined period not to exceed 15 minutes. Proponents will speak and then the opponents. Excuse me. Each speaker will not be allowed more than three minutes. Speakers are requested to limit their remarks by avoiding duplication in their presentations. Applicant will be allowed a total of five minutes for rebuttal. Opponents will not be allowed to revive. 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. We can we can now move on to the consent agenda. Mr. Baldwin. Consent items for deferral. Item 4, Cup 226, Faith Tabernacle of Zachary. 22838. Plank Road. Proposed religious institution on property located on the east side of Plank Road, south of Fort Hudson Pride Road. Deferred by Councilmember Knoll to June 15th. Item 6, Cup 426.

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