New Orleans City Council Meeting Summary - January 8, 2026

The New Orleans City Council convened on January 8, 2026, for its final regular meeting of the term. The session addressed routine consent agenda items, overrode a mayor's veto regarding budget restrictions, and deliberated on significant zoning appeals and legislative proposals. Key discussions included a contentious appeal for a new hotel construction in the Faubourg Marigny that sparked public debate regarding historic preservation and due process. The meeting also featured resolutions committing to the timely payment of police retention bonuses and honoring community leaders and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The council concluded the term with farewells from outgoing members.

Consent Calendar

• Received communications from various city departments and officials, including Councilmember Jerusalem's incoming role as CAO for Mayor Elect Helena Moreno.
• Received reports from municipal entities including the Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corporation, New Orleans Building Corporation, Audubon Nature Institute, Firefighter's Pension Fund, and City Planning Commission.
• Adopted the consent agenda unanimously following Councilmember Burnside's remarks on city auditing issues and code enforcement.
• Received communications and reports from the New Orleans Public Library, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and others.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Burnside: Expressed strong opposition to the proposed 55 million dollar pickleball court and event space at Audubon, citing financial concerns over future capital budget requests. He expressed opposition to the firefighter pension restructuring and criticized the city's lack of response to rodent control issues. Conversely, he expressed support for code enforcement improvements at 1609.
• Jefrey Seymour: Expressed concern that the council was approving a set of plans for the 621 Elysian Fields hotel that had never been submitted or reviewed by the Historic Design Landmarks Commission (HDLC) or Architectural Review Committee (ARC), calling the process "crazy" and a violation of due process.
• Aaron Holmes (VCPRA): Expressed concern that the approval of plans not subjected to formal review sets a dangerous precedent for bypassing historic district guidelines and community input.
• Alan Johnson (Resident): Expressed strong opposition to the hotel developers, stating they acted in bad faith by bypassing the ARC and HDLC review processes and requested they be held to established historic district standards.
• Mark Malou (Faubourg Marigny Resident): Expressed support for a hotel on the site but opposed the "massive" scale of the proposed structure, suggesting alternative parcels or smaller designs.
• Asia Strong (Resident): Expressed strong opposition, citing personal experience with the developers' lack of good faith and foreclosure processes, urging the council to follow proper guidelines.
• Robbie Beck (Resident): Expressed opposition, stating the developers are ignoring city rules for historic districts to serve franchise requirements rather than neighborhood character, negatively impacting property values.
• Marinelle Nolan Wheatley (Preservation Resource Center): Expressed strong opposition and concern that the decision would set a precedent allowing developers to refuse to work with city regulatory agencies.
• Mark Shetler (Shift Change): Expressed concern that bypassing rules discourages good-faith operators in the hospitality industry and creates an uneven playing field.
• Michael Burnside (Outgoing Councilmember): Expressed concern that the city's drive for 2031 Super Bowl infrastructure (15 new gates, 40,000 hotel rooms) makes this hotel project part of a larger, potentially unsustainable trend.
• Katie Bliss (Developer Representative): Expressed frustration with the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) regarding inconsistent guidance over two years and stated the council's prior variance approval for massing should settle the issue.
• Margaret Walker (Resident): Expressed strong opposition to "large investors" coming into the neighborhood without resident consensus, citing the negative impact of previous large developments.
• Justin Smith (FMIA): Expressed support for a hotel but emphasized the need for a design commensurate with the neighborhood's historic scale. Expressed concern that the procedural flaws regarding un-reviewed plans violate due process.
• Zachary Smith (Developer/Applicant): Expressed frustration with the length of the review process (2.5 years) and the use of emotional language by preservationists. Expressed that the current proposal incorporates changes from neighborhood outreach and appeals to the council for approval.
• John Williams (Architect): Expressed support for the project and the HDLC's decision, noting that the commission, State Historic Preservation Office, and National Park Service support the location.
• Mark Behar (Neighbor): Expressed opposition to the specific location of an elevator on the 1410 Jackson Avenue landmark building, citing concerns about property line impacts and potential noise.
• Scott Heath (Architect for 1410 Jackson): Expressed support for the elevator design and location, assuring that mechanical noise would be minimized and soundproofed.
• Corey Dowden (Public Member): Expressed support for the creation of a local disaster property adjudication board to protect homeowners affected by storms.

Discussion Items

• Override of Mayor's Veto (Ordinance 30,550): Council members unanimously voted to override the mayor's veto of an ordinance establishing a temporary prohibition on spending American Rescue Plan Act funds and Surgeon Water Board funds to address a budget shortfall and ensure repayment of a revenue anticipation note. Councilmember Morel emphasized the need for fiduciary responsibility and criticized the outgoing mayor's actions.
• Hotel on 621 Elysian Fields (Zoning Docket 4525): A heated discussion ensued regarding an appeal of the HDLC's denial of a new hotel construction. HDLC staff recommended upholding the denial because the proposal exceeded height/bulk limits and failed to meet design guidelines. Councilmember King moved to approve the appeal, arguing the project aligns with prior council variances. Councilmember Green voted "no" after expressing concern that the approved plans differed from those previously reviewed and lacked neighborhood alignment. Councilmember Harris recused herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest involving her new firm, Baker Tilly.
• HDLC Elevator Appeal (1410 Jackson Avenue): Council members discussed an appeal regarding an exterior elevator on a designated landmark. Staff recommended upholding the commission's approval with height restrictions. Following testimony from the architects and a neighbor, the council voted to affirm the HDLC's decision.
• Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Zoning Docket 4925): Council members discussed a motion to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to streamline administrative processes, enhance the "Notice Me" notification system, and clarify design review procedures. Council members and neighborhood representatives (Aaron Holmes) expressed general support for the amendments as well as suggestions for further improving the NPP process and public dashboard visibility.
• Conditional Use (Park Place Shopping Center): Council members discussed a conditional use to permit a drive-thru facility at a former Burger King site. Staff and Councilmember Corral supported the motion, noting community excitement. The motion passed unanimously.
• Adult Live Performance Venues (VCE District): Councilmember King introduced motions to establish a new "Interim Zoning District" (VCE) for adult live performance venues, requiring case-by-case conditional use approval to mitigate secondary effects. Councilmember Mark Shetler requested clarification on the specific problems these changes sought to address, but the motion passed to establish the district.
• Wine Shop (7913 Maple Street): Councilmember Jerusalem moved to approve a conditional use for a wine shop and hub in a historic urban neighborhood district, citing prior neighborhood support.
• Street Renaming (Dorothy Mae Taylor/ Diane Mama D French Cole): Councilmember Thomas moved to urge the recognition of two historic Black women through street renaming. Councilmember Green expressed strong support for the spirit of the resolution.
• Police Retention Bonus Payment (Resolution R263): Mayor Elect Helena Moreno and the Council introduced a resolution pledging to collaboratively work to issue retention bonus payments to NOPD officers, acknowledging a delay due to the Legislative Auditor's need to verify data accuracy. Councilmember Harris expressed commitment to paying correctly rather than quickly, and Councilmember Thomas urged adherence to promises.

Key Outcomes

• Override Vote: The Council voted 7 Yes, 0 Nays to overturn Mayor's veto on Ordinance 30,550 (Budget spending restriction).
• Hotel Appeal Vote: The Council voted 4 Yes, 1 Recusal (Harris), 1 Nay (Green) to approve the appeal for the 621 Elysian Fields hotel plans (Motion M2616). (Note: Machine counts in transcript varied slightly during the recount/recusal process, final tally cited as 6 in one section, then 4 with recusal).
• Elevator Appeal Vote: The Council voted 5 Yes, 0 Nays to affirm the HDLC's approval of the elevator at 1410 Jackson Avenue (Motion M2613).
• Zoning Amendment Vote: The Council voted 7 Yes, 0 Nays to approve the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance amendments (Motion M2562).
• Conditional Use Vote: The Council voted 7 Yes, 0 Nays to approve the drive-thru at Park Place Shopping Center (Motion M265).
• Interim Zoning Vote: The Council voted 5 Yes, 0 Nays to establish the Adult Live Performance Interim Zoning District (Motion M267).
• Wine Shop Vote: The Council voted 6 Yes, 0 Nays to approve the wine shop conditional use (Motion M2617).
• Street Renaming Vote: The Council voted 7 Yes, 0 Nays to adopt Resolution R2618 urging recognition for Taylor and Cole.
• Bonus Payment Vote: The Council voted 7 Yes, 0 Nays to adopt Resolution R263 committing to the police retention bonus payments.
• Adjournment: Councilmember Thomas, serving as the longest-serving member, adjourned the meeting. Mayor Elect Helena Moreno and Councilmembers received tributes and farewells from outgoing colleagues.
• Deferrals: Numerous items, including the HDLC appeal for 1120 Jenner Street, professional service agreements, and various ordinances (35,117, 35,127, 35,323) were deferred to January 27, 2026.
• Withdrawals: Several motions and ordinances, including M25182 through M25435 series, R25671, and Ordinance 35,093, were withdrawn.
• Special Orders: The council honored Pastor Andy Pellarano with a proclamation and recognized the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for its 118th Founders' Day.