Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – August 17, 2026
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – August 17, 2026
The East Baton Rouge Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on August 17, 2026, to consider a consent agenda, six regular agenda items, and receive communication from staff. Key actions included approval of most items, deferral of a rezoning request for further community outreach, and approval of a subdivision amid an ownership dispute.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the July 20, 2026 meeting.
- Approved consent items: Item 5 (rezone 7122 Florida Blvd to CAB1), Item 7 (CUP for accessory dwelling at 2340 Tulip St), Item 8 (flylot minor subdivision at 14987 Port Hudson Pride Rd), and Item 9 (deferred by director to October 19). Items 10 and 11 were pulled from consent and heard in regular order.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Items 2 & 3 (17060 Florida Blvd rezoning): Multiple residents spoke in opposition. Chad Cooper (adjacent property owner) cited flooding risks (100% in AE flood zone), potential environmental issues from underground fuel tanks, and traffic safety. Geraldine Ruez (adjacent resident) raised concerns about drainage, traffic congestion on Old Hammond Highway, and potential for heavier commercial use. Amy Files (Riverview Drive resident) echoed flooding and traffic concerns, noting over 50 homes on Riverview Drive. Scott Schaefer expressed skepticism about the process and flooding history. The applicant, Stephen LeCour, stated the rezoning was to match adjacent commercial zoning.
- Item 4 (Dalton St snowball stand): No public opposition. Applicant Durell Hamilton Sr. described plans for a snowball stand and youth mentorship through his organization One Voice, One Dream, One Team.
- Item 6 (Pettit Road sand/gravel mining): A petition of support with 13 signatures was submitted. No opposition speakers.
- Item 10 (Port Hudson Pride Rd subdivision): Kevin Bennett, claiming 25% ownership, opposed approval, stating he had not received proper notice and that his interest was not resolved. He noted an ongoing succession process. The applicant, Brian Johnson, provided an act of donation and asserted ownership.
- Item 11 (Plank Road subdivision): No opposition; a neighbor who initially filed a speaker card clarified it was a mistake.
Discussion Items
- Items 2 & 3 – PA526 and companion case 2826 (17060 Florida Blvd): The applicant sought rezoning from Rural to Light Commercial (ALC2) to match adjacent uses. Staff recommended approval due to compatibility. After hearing public opposition, Vice Chairman Grout suggested deferral for 30 days to allow the applicant to consider excluding the portion fronting Old Hammond Highway. The commission unanimously voted to defer.
- Item 4 – Case 2726 (3680/3696 Dalton St): The applicant requested rezoning from Single Family Residential (A2) to Neighborhood Commercial for a snowball stand and youth gathering space. Staff could not certify the rezoning due to potential change in zoning patterns, but no opposition was heard. Commissioners noted that approval would allow other commercial uses if the original plan fails. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
- Item 6 – MCUP126 (Pettit Road sand/gravel mining): The applicant returned after a previous postponement, now with support from neighbors and the council member. Staff certified the request as meeting criteria. The commission approved unanimously.
- Item 10 – SS326 (Albert & Mary Bennett property): The applicant sought a residential minor subdivision with three lots. An ownership dispute arose between the applicant and Kevin Bennett, who claimed a 25% interest. Director Holcomb explained the commission does not adjudicate ownership and that the same application was approved in 2018. Commissioner Addison moved to approve, arguing the application met UDC criteria and ownership disputes are civil matters. The motion carried on a roll call vote after two objections were withdrawn.
- Item 11 – SS426 (June Hunt Kennedy property): The applicant proposed a six-lot subdivision with a private street. No opposition. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Deferral: Items 2 & 3 (17060 Florida Blvd rezoning) deferred for 30 days to allow the applicant to revise the proposal and consult with the council member.
- Approvals: Item 4 (Dalton St rezoning) approved; Item 6 (Pettit Road mining CUP) approved; Item 10 (Bennett subdivision) approved (motion by Addison, seconded by Washington, passed on roll call); Item 11 (Kennedy subdivision) approved.
- Next Steps: The item 4 rezoning requires council approval on September 16, 2026. Item 6 is scheduled for council review on August 19, 2026. Upcoming text amendments on commercial zoning restructuring and data center siting were announced. Next planning commission meeting is September 21, 2026.
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 Batts. Commissioner Boyd. Here. Commissioner Coleman. Commissioner Ellender? Here. Commissioner Fowler? Here. And Commissioner Maxie. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you, Director Holcomb. Commission members at this time will move on to the approval of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the July 20th meeting? Motion from Commissioner Maxie, second from Commissioner Ellender. Are there any objections to approving the minutes? Seeing none, these items have now been approved. And at this time, I will ask Vice Chairman Grout to read in the rules for conducting public hearings. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 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 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 of 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 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. Applicant will be allowed a total 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. At this time we can move on to the consent agenda, Mr. Baldwin. Consent items for deferral. Item 9, S 126, Lordia Lord's Grove Subdivision 8150, Hooper Boulevard. Proposed major residential subdivision with private street located on the south side of Hooper Road, west of Hickok Drive.
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