OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – July 20, 2026

Planning Commission — Monday, July 20, 2026
BodyBaton Rouge, Louisiana
SessionPlanning Commission
DateMonday, July 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

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

0:08

At this time, we'll have the roll call, Mr.

0:10

Holcomb.

0:11

Chairman Washington.

0:12

Here.

0:12

Vice Chairman Grout.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Commissioner Addison.

0:17

Commissioner Matts.

0:19

Here.

0:19

Commissioner Boyd.

0:20

Here.

0:20

Commissioner Coleman.

0:22

Present.

0:22

Commissioner Allener.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Commissioner Fallon?

0:25

Here.

0:25

And Commissioner Maxie.

0:26

Here.

0:27

We have a core.

0:28

Thank you, Mr.

0:28

Holcombe.

0:29

We'll now move on to the approval of the minutes.

0:31

Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the June 15th meeting?

0:35

Motion from Commissioner Ellender.

0:36

Is there a second?

0:38

Second from Commissioner Bance.

0:39

Any objections?

0:41

Seeing none, uh, these items have been approved.

0:44

At this time, I ask Vice Chairman Grout to read in the rules for conducting public hearings.

0:50

Rules for conducting public hearings.

0:52

This is a public meeting.

0:54

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

1:02

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

1:06

Members of the public desiring to speak on a particular item should refer to a meeting agenda and complete 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.

1:21

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

1:30

Proponents will speak and then the opponents.

1:33

Each speaker will not be allowed more than three minutes.

1:36

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

1:41

Applicants.

1:42

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

1:46

Opponents will not be allowed to rebut.

1:49

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.

1:59

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

2:02

Mr.

2:03

Chairman.

2:04

Thank you, Mr.

2:05

Grout.

2:05

We can now move on to the consent agenda.

2:07

Mr.

2:07

Baldwin.

2:09

There are no consent items for withdrawal or deferral.

2:12

Consent for approval.

2:14

Item 7, case 2626, 14832, Old Hammond Highway, to rezone from rural to neighborhood commercial NC on property located on the south side of Old Hammond Highway, west of Lakemont Drive.

2:26

Item 8, M Cup 126, 7740, and 9400 through 9500 Pettit Road.

2:33

Proposed sand and gravel mining operation located on the south and west side of Pettit Road, north of Comeet Drive.

2:39

Item 9, PUD 408, Burst Center, Women's Hospital Final Development Plan Revision.

2:44

The addition of a medical office clinic on property located on the north north of the intersection of Airline Highway and Slumberg Lane.

2:51

Item 10, PUD 204, Office Building Lot 5A, Town Center Business Park, Final Development Plan.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Cannabis Regulation██████████████14%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Economic Development██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Public Engagement█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – July 20, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Commission met on July 20, 2026, to consider several zoning changes, a conditional use permit for a mining operation, and a wireless tower proposal. The meeting included public hearings on a contested restaurant rezoning, a two-family housing rezoning, a bar/lounge rezoning near LSU, and a sand and gravel mining operation. The commission approved most items, denied the bar/lounge request, and deferred the mining permit for further review.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 7 (Case 2626): Rezone 14832 Old Hammond Highway from Rural to Neighborhood Commercial – Approved.
  • Items 9, 10, 11: Several final development plans – Approved.
  • Item 12 (SS226): Residential subdivision with private street on Laverne Circle – Approved.
  • Item 8 (M Cup 126) was pulled from the consent agenda at public request and heard separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

Item 4 – Greenwell Springs Road Rezoning (C1 to CAB1)

  • Supporters: Applicant Bernard Combody stated the property was a vacant Taco Bell and that the area lacks restaurants; he invested $3.2 million. Councilmember Daryl Hurst expressed full support, noting the restaurant will have over 50% food sales and is a needed redevelopment. Rhonda Bennett (supporter) said the community needs excitement.
  • Opponents: Deborah Dow questioned proximity to a school, traffic counts, and compliance with distance requirements. Ontaro Corney argued alcohol increases violence and noted the owner’s other properties are dilapidated. Jacqueline Rowan Lee (Park Forest Crime Prevention District) cited past disturbances from an after-hours club and said the rezoning is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. Lillian Grosley worried the zoning change would be permanent and questioned the distance to a school. A final opponent stated the applicant had called the business a “sports bar” at a community meeting.

Item 5 – Peerless/Page Street Rezoning (A2 to A2.9)

  • Supporters: Applicant Gary Hawkins Sr. wants to build two-family homes to revitalize the blighted Zion City area. Councilmember Hurst and Vice Chairman Grout voiced strong support. No opponents spoke.

Item 6 – West Chime Street Rezoning (C2 to CAB2)

  • Applicant: Brittany Jarrow, owner of The Lotus, described it as a community space for art, music, and hookah that wants to serve alcohol like neighboring bars.
  • Opponents: Hannah Andrea Urdea (resident for 10 years) complained of loud music till 4 a.m., drunk people, and police inaction. Jan Anderson (owner of adjacent multifamily buildings) said noise disturbances began before the rezoning request. Brian Anderson argued the street historically mixed residential and small businesses, not bars. Ty Hingle (owner of Murphy’s bar) opposed the specific business, citing late-night parties and illegal alcohol service, but supported rezoning in general. Adeline Anderson (incoming LSU student) expressed safety concerns.

Item 8 – Pettit Road Mining Operation (M Cup 126)

  • Applicant: Heath Morris (owner of Dirt Co.) stated the 177-acre site operates on an as-needed basis (only ~40 days in 2025). He emphasized environmental compliance and neighborly conduct (e.g., washing a house after a dust incident).
  • Opponents: Angela Creel argued the operation has been illegal since 2012, lacks proper permits, and now a new housing subdivision is approved nearby. She requested deferral for cumulative environmental impact studies.

Discussion Items

  • Items 2 & 3 – Plan Amendment and Rezoning for Scenic Highway: The applicant (Bart Malone Song, representing rental lumber company) sought to rezone 5.3 acres from commercial/high-density residential to Light Industrial (M1) to clean up prior uses (mechanic shop, tire shop). Staff recommended approval. The commission approved without objection.
  • Item 4 – 9798 Greenwell Springs Road (C1 to CAB1): Director Holcomb clarified that CAB1 requires 51% of gross revenue from food, with strict ABC enforcement; current C1 already allows a 100% liquor store. The 300-foot school distance requirement is handled by ABC, not zoning. The commission voted to approve.
  • Item 5 – Peerless/Page Street (A2 to A2.9): Despite staff’s inability to certify due to mid-block location, the commission approved, citing revitalization benefits and support from Councilmember Hurst.
  • Item 6 – 228 West Chime Street (C2 to CAB2): Commissioner Coleman noted no prior conversation with her office and concerns about noise and safety. The commission denied the rezoning.
  • Item 8 – M Cup 126 (Pettit Road Mining): Commissioner Addison raised concerns about proximity to a recently approved subdivision. Staff confirmed the 1,000-foot setback from existing dwellings is met but could not immediately clarify distance to the subdivision. The commission voted to defer for 30 days.
  • Item 13 – Verizon Wireless Tower: Request for a 120-foot monopole with setback waivers. All adjacent property owners provided letters of no objection. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Items 2 & 3 (Scenic Highway rezoning): Approved (motion by Commissioner Batts, second by Commissioner Ellender).
  • Item 4 (Greenwell Springs CAB1): Approved (motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Batts).
  • Item 5 (Peerless/Page two-family): Approved (motion by Commissioner Maxie, second by Commissioner Addison).
  • Item 6 (West Chime CAB2): Denied (motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Maxie).
  • Item 8 (Pettit Road mining): Deferred for 30 days (motion by Commissioner Addison, second by Commissioner Coleman).
  • Item 13 (Verizon tower): Approved (motion by Commissioner Addison, second by Commissioner Batts).
  • Consent calendar: Approved as a block.
  • The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2026.
  • Commission recognized Yolanda Derrick as Employee of the Month.

Additional Information

  • The meeting was chaired by Chairman Washington; Vice Chairman Grout read the public hearing rules.
  • All votes were unanimous unless noted.
  • The commission discussed the importance of revitalizing blighted areas while balancing residential concerns.

Meeting Transcript

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. Vice Chairman Grout. Here. Commissioner Addison. Commissioner Matts. Here. Commissioner Boyd. Here. Commissioner Coleman. Present. Commissioner Allener. Here. Commissioner Fallon? Here. And Commissioner Maxie. Here. We have a core. Thank you, Mr. Holcombe. We'll now move on to the approval of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the June 15th meeting? Motion from Commissioner Ellender. Is there a second? Second from Commissioner Bance. Any objections? Seeing none, uh, these items have been approved. At this time, I ask Vice Chairman Grout to read in the rules for conducting public hearings. Rules for conducting public hearings. This is a public meeting. Any interested member of the public who 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 should refer to a meeting agenda and complete 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 applicant's representatives for the proposal will speak first for a total or combined period of not to exceed 15 minutes. Proponents will speak and then the opponents. Each speaker will not be allowed more than three minutes. Speakers are requested to limit their remarks by avoiding duplication in their presentations. Applicants. Applicant will be allowed a total of five 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, Mr. Grout. We can now move on to the consent agenda.

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