New Orleans City Planning Commission Meeting - April 17, 2026

The City Planning Commission met on April 17, 2026, to consider several zoning dockets, subdivision requests, and a comprehensive study on cannabis, tobacco, and nicotine retail regulations. The meeting included public testimony, staff reports, and commission votes.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously adopted the minutes from the March 24, 2026 meeting via roll call (7-0).
• Approved subdivision ratifications for multiple properties via voice vote (all present in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

Zoning Docket 024-26 (Convention Center Hotel Overlay District):

• Support: James Guerrero (New Orleans Sports Foundation), Jim Cook (Convention Center President/CEO), Mike Smith (Omni Hotels EVP), Mike Sherman (Omni Hotels representative), Daryl Berger (developer), Richard Kemp (architect), Stephanie Turner (New Orleans & Company), Ben Roberts (hotel GM), Cole Parsons (hotel manager), Matt Wolf (GNO Inc.), and several others spoke in favor. They cited economic impact ($213 million annually, 1,400 permanent jobs, $15 million in new tax revenue), the need for a headquarters hotel to compete for major events, community design changes (hotel removed from park, added parking, traffic directed away from neighborhood), and infrastructure improvements at Omni's expense.
• Opposition: Keaver Perry (homeowner), Mike James (union organizer), Cliff Loomis (resident), and others opposed. Concerns included lack of transparency on total project cost and subsidies, potential traffic and parking impacts, height and scale (tower up to 337 feet vs. staff recommendation of 200-250 feet), inadequate independent traffic and shadow studies, and that the project would overwhelm the warehouse district.
• Speaker positions were clearly stated for and against.

Other Dockets:

• Zoning Dockets 030-26, 038-26, 039-26, 041-26, 022-26, 025-26: Limited or no opposition; applicants and staff spoke briefly.

Cannabis, Tobacco, and Nicotine Study:

• Support: Daisy Ellis (Health Department) supported the study for public health reasons, noting 9 out of 10 daily smokers start before age 18 and average onset of nicotine use is 13. She supported creating zones and distance requirements.
• Informational: A representative from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living commended the study and recommended considering flavor bans and distance requirements.
• Opposition: Susan Johnson and Ryan Bain (residents adjacent to a medical marijuana retailer at 1407 S. Carrollton) opposed the study’s lack of retroactive application and insufficient distance requirements. Bain reported daily issues with noise, smell, and littering from customers and employees.

Discussion Items

Zoning Docket 024-26 (Convention Center Hotel Overlay District):

• Staff recommended approval with a height limit of 200-250 feet, finding that unlimited height (FAR 12) would be out of scale with the historic warehouse district.
• Applicant requested a floor area ratio (FAR) of 12 (resulting in approximately 337 feet at the penthouse) to allow a slender tower and preserve design flexibility, arguing that a flat 250-foot cap would force a bulkier building.
• The commission debated the height differential (staff’s 250 ft vs. applicant’s 337 ft) and the potential public benefit of additional infrastructure and park improvements tied to the taller building.
• A motion to approve staff recommendation with the applicant’s requested FAR of 12 passed 6-1 (Commissioner Metry opposed).

Other Zoning Dockets:

• 030-26 (Restaurant conditional use): Approved unanimously after a community meeting resolved concerns.
• 038-26 (Commercial short-term rental in Lake Catherine): Approved unanimously (staff recommended with provisos).
• 039-26 (Broad Theater expansion): Approved with exceptions and provisos (unanimous).
• 041-26 (Rezone from S-RS to SMU): Approved unanimously per staff recommendation.
• 022-26 (Subdivision): Approved tentatively (unanimous).
• 025-26 (Lot reconfiguration): Approved tentatively subject to minor map adjustment and potential rezoning (unanimous).

Cannabis, Tobacco, and Nicotine Study:

• Staff presented findings from a study initiated by Councilmember DeRusso. Recommendations included creating three new land use categories (smoke shops, marijuana retailers, retail sale of tobacco/nicotine/consumable hemp), distance restrictions of 500 feet from child-friendly locations (schools, parks, etc.), and 1,000 feet between smoke shops.
• Discussion focused on buffer distances: Commissioners considered 500 feet vs. 1,000 feet, with concerns about environmental justice and disproportionate impacts on certain neighborhoods. They also discussed hours of operation and distance from residential districts.
• The commission adopted the study with a motion to transmit to the City Council, recommending buffer distances of 500 to 1,000 feet from child-friendly locations and special attention to environmental justice. Approved 6-0 (one absent).

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Docket 024-26: Approved with modified staff recommendation (height regulated by FAR 12 instead of a strict 250-foot cap). Vote: 6-1.
• Zoning Dockets 030-26, 038-26, 039-26, 041-26, 022-26, 025-26: All approved unanimously.
• Cannabis, Tobacco, and Nicotine Study: Adopted and transmitted to City Council with recommendations for 500-1,000 foot buffers and environmental justice considerations. Vote: 6-0.
• Consent Calendar and Subdivision Ratifications: Approved unanimously.