Good afternoon.

Welcome everyone.

Thanks for joining us here in our different location today.

We are going to ask Commissioner will take time for us when needed.

And if you have not filled out a card, um, please go ahead and make sure that it's delivered up here so that you'll have an opportunity to speak.

I'm gonna go ahead and do roll call because um commissioner Steve.

Commissioner Josie Gupta.

President Commissioner Kepper.

Commissioner Whittry's present.

Um right, we can go ahead and get started.

I'm looking for an adoption of the meeting minutes from March 24th, 2026.

And we're gonna vote by a hand or a roll call.

Is there a motion?

We have a motion.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Second Commissioner Poche.

All right, any questions, discussion?

If not, we'll go ahead and vote.

Commissioner Steve.

Yes.

Um Commissioner Josie Gupta.

Yes.

Commissioner Kepper.

Commissioner Witchery, yes.

Commissioner Pauchet.

Yes.

All right, so even minutes have been adopted for March 24th.

Um, we're going to move on to our timer.

The softer everyone has our first zoning docket today is 02426.

Can everyone oh, I need to read the and just for some of you that have been with us for a while, we are in the process of updating our rules.

Um, so stay tuned till the middle of the year for that.

So the city planning commission has established certain rules governing procedures to be followed at public hearings before speaking.

Each person shall give their name, address, and state who he or who he or she is representing.

Proponents for the proposal will speak for a period of 10 minutes.

Each speaker shall be able to add a maximum of two minutes.

Opponents or other interested parties will speak second for a period of 15 minutes.

Each speaker shall be able to add a maximum of two minutes.

Proponents will be allowed a period of six minutes for rebuttal.

Each speaker shall be allowed a maximum of two minutes.

Opponents will not be able to do that.

No material, written matter, photographs, and that should be accepted by the commission or its staff at any time during the public hearing.

This procedure shall be followed except at such time, and the preceding officer shall with the approval of commission members present and extend such time.

So now we'll move on to zoning docket 024-26.

Zoning docket 024.

The zoning docket 024-26 is a request for a text amendment, article 18 of the conference's zoning ordinance to establish a new overlay district called the Convention Center Hotel Overlay District, affecting the area generally bounded by Commission Center Boulevard, Andrew Higgins Drive, South Peter Street, and the Mississippi River Heritage Park.

The overlay district will create a new regulations affecting the permitted land uses, allowable building heights, or area ratio, FAR limits, design standard, bicycle parking requirements, voting space requirements, per code allowances, signage restrictions, and exterior lane requirements.

The future land use classification plumb is at the core of the staff analysis.

The mixed use downtown classification's general intent is to allow a variety of uses that promote the downtown labor flight people.

A hotel is within the anticipated range of uses.

The development character for DMU directly references the height and maximum redevelopment.

One of the applicants core requests includes the eliminating maximum, the maximum height of 75 feet or set back of up to 1825 feet, and we're placing it with unlimited height to be regulated only by or area ratio of 12.

Staff is concerned that over the district that we're essentially limited, eliminate height massive restriction would interfere with the development character intent of the site's phone cut classification.

Given the plumb consideration, the overlay can create more permissive allowances for height and other development standards, but only within the scale contemplated by the master plan.

The provision for the overlays should be more in line with this team and tancipated development and after thorough analysis, staff leads the additional height, is appropriate at this location, but not to the extent proposed by the applicant.

Given the range of similarly situated, higher developments existing in CDD, the staff is that a more acceptable range for this location would be 200 to a maximum of cheap 50.

Thank you.

I'm going to um call several names and just be prepared to speak when your name is called.

So James Guerrero.

Next is going to be James Cook, and it looks like you have two people seated your time, so you'll have six minutes, and then a Mike Smith.

And then Mr.

Sherman.

Please go ahead.

Thank you.

I'm present CEO of the organization.

My address is uh 320 metering highway suit 300 at a real easy house.

I'm here today to speak in support in a zoning request, uh, which is a critical step in advancing proposed omni New Orleans Hotel headquarters.

Uh sports foundation, along with the New Orleans hospitality community, the state, the city continually work together to attract and host some of the largest events in the world.

For decades, these events have created opportunities for tens of thousands of unions and their businesses, while generating positive media exposure and critical tax revenue that supports the essential city services and infrastructure.

In recent years, including following last year's Super Bowl, our major event clients have made clear that the city must do more to offer uh newer hotels to compete with similar cities who are now bidding upon the events that we have come to their large wallets for many years.

The competition is definitely getting stronger.

There have been a handful of new dome stadiums opened in the last several years, creating more competitions in cities that have never been in our competitive set.

Um the near future, several additional new dome stations are going to be built in cities that again haven't been in our traditional uh competitive set, but want to compete for the major events that the Warwick has hosted for the past 5 plus years.

At the same time, these cities have created modern convention centers connected with headquarters hotels.

Uh so this becomes an important element for events like the Super Bowl and men's final four, women's final four, where there is a need for space for media centers and fan events uh that are associated with all the large events.

Um New Orleans needs this transformational hotel project.

And if we plan to compete for future events like Super Bowl, man to women's final fours, college football championship games, and our favorite local events Mardi Gras, Baying Classic, Essence Festival, French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest.

That's your time.

We we've uh we need to we need to make sure that this homni hotel would build thank you.

James Hook sense.

Um thank you, Commissioners, for the opportunity to speak today.

My name is Jim Cook.

I'm the president and CEO of the New Orleans Ornest and Mill Convention Center.

My address is 900 Convention Center Boulevard, the World's Museum 30.

I appreciate the Commission's time and attention to this matter.

I want to begin by recognizing that today's action is fundamentally about land use and zone.

Specifically, whether this site has the appropriate planning framework to support its intended use.

As you know, today's discussion centers on the Army of New Orleans and redevelopment of the former sugar mill site adjacent to the convention center.

This project would transform a long vacant industrial property into a product activated site that supports New Orleans economy, strengthens our position as one of the nation's leading convention center of the tourists and markets.

The item before you establishes the convention center hotel overweight district, bounded by the convention center boulevard, Andrew Higgins Drought, South Peter Street, and the Mississippi River Heritage Park.

This overlay creates a tailored regulatory framework governing permitted uses, which include height, floor area ratio, loading, curve cuts, signage, lighting, and other key development standards.

I would also note that the questions related to project financing, incentive structures or other approvals are being considered through separate processes and governing bodies.

Those are important discussions, but they are distinct from the Ranji's decision to fit a commission.

From the convention center's perspective, this project is best understood in its core hospitality infrastructure.

A headquarters hotel that is functionally tied to our ability to compete for national meetings and conventions marketplaces.

I want to briefly focus on height as it is central to the success of this project.

The proposed height enables the appropriate mix of guest rooms, ballrooms, and meeting space required by today's convention customers.

These elements are not interchangeable.

They work together to allow us to attract and retain large-scale events that drive visitation and economic activity across the city.

And importantly, this is achieved while maintaining our commitment to preserve existing parking and avoiding the footprint, avoiding expanding the footprint into the Mississippi River Heritage Park or encouraging land or hidden stride.

Priorities we know are important to our surrounding community based on extensive engagement with neighbors and stakeholders.

We also believe we can seek enhancements to the Mississippi River Heritage Park Experience in partnership with the City of New Orleans.

At its core, this project supports the convention center's responsibility as a public asset to remain competitive, generate economic impact, and to support jobs and opportunities for the people of New Orleans.

The convention center is a self-sustaining engine of economic activity, and maintaining that position requires thoughtful and long-term planning.

So we recognize that large-scale developments often bring broader questions and perspectives, and those conversations are important.

Our role, however, is to ensure that the convention center continues to serve the city effectively for decades to come.

New Orleans has always been a city built to host, and maintaining that leadership requires continued investment in the infrastructure that supports it.

The Omni New Orleans project represents exactly that a responsible step forward that respects our heritage while positioning our city for further long-term economic growth.

So we all express we all embrace the city of New Orleans as a great American city and great cities planning responsibly for the group.

We believe the overlay district is just an appropriate and necessary to it to do that.

So I want to thank the staff for thoughtful and thorough report and appreciate the commission's careful consideration this year.

Thank you.

I have a question.

So we heard that the staff recommended a height limit of 200 to 250 feet maximum.

And what's the position of the accuration hall on that?

So I'll defer to the designers with Omni and Developer relative to the building proper.

However, I can tell you that the concept of a thousand guest rooms with the additional ballroom and junior ballroom space are critical from a customer standpoint.

And that's and that's what they've asked for.

It's the scale of loans adjacent to the center.

Now are there any other objections of the convention center has to the kind of docker other than the nature of height?

Again, I'll defer to um to our development team relative to the specifics within the document.

Um as an overall, it appears that the staff generally understood, understood, and accepted and accepted the bylaws protected.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mike Smith.

And then Mr.

Sherman.

A big boy.

Hello.

I'm uh 10212 area drive.

That's better.

Most people don't.

My name is Mike Smith, and I'm at the 102 area drive, Dallas, Texas.

I'm executive vice president of real estate and development for TRT Holdings, the apparent company of Omni Hotels.

And I want to first say that we appreciate the opportunity to be here and the time that the city team has invested in this project.

This is a public-private partnership, and Omni is proud to have a long track record of successfully delivering headquarters hotels like this in other cities across the country.

In those partnerships, we take a long-term approach with a strong emphasis on design quality operations and delivering real economic impact.

And we're proud time and time again, our public partners always say that we've exceeded their expectations.

It's been nearly 50 years since a hotel of this scale has been built here in New Orleans.

And with this project, we see a transformation of opportunity to strengthen the organs competitive competitiveness as a destination.

Over the past several months, our team has worked closely and collaboratively with both city staff and the community.

And we've listened.

We've made meaningful changes to the project, including removing the hotel from the park to preserve green space.

We've added over 325 parking spaces to help keep cars out of the neighborhood.

And we've designed the circulation court decachet so that the traffic is directed away from the neighborhood streets and toward the convention and toward convention center boulevard.

We've also made commitments to the convention center to ensure that the this truly functions as a headquarter hotels and delivers the impact that the city is seeking.

Projects of this scale and complexity require a zoning framework that can respond to these commitments in a coordinated way.

We're honored to have the opportunity to bring this project to New Orleans, and we're committed to being a long-term partner in a good neighborhood.

We'd like to thank the city staff for their support, and we respectfully ask for hearing.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Sherman, it looks like they've had four minutes.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Good afternoon, Commissioner's Mike Sherman, 800 Verone Street.

I'm really proud to be here on behalf of Omni Hotels and Resorts for what is truly the work we hear a lot today, a transformational project.

Let me start Commissioner Stewart with answering your question.

This was a very thoughtful staff report.

We are in complete and total agreement with the staff report with just one change.

To include all the program we need and fulfill our commitments to the community and the neighbors, we believe a floor area ratio of 12 is the appropriate way to regulate this hotel.

That's a height of 300, a little less than 320 feet at the top of the hotel.

There's a penthouse that gets up to 337.

So the healthy is 541 by comparison.

This is a site-specific overlay that we are requesting.

This is not a rezoning.

We are already permitted for what we're trying to do with the hotel.

So this is not about whether a hotel belongs.

It's a text amendment to support transformational developments.

What the city's always done, it used to be called a C B P C Dental Business Plan Community District as Plan Developments.

Lately, the tool is an overlay district.

It's not precedent setting, it's a single site.

And staff really does get us 90% of the way there, but we need your help for that final 10% to adjust the height to a floor area ratio.

I know how important community feedback is to this commission.

I want the commission to know that Mike Smith and the Omni team stopped and redesigned the entire project.

The initial site included a piece of the Mississippi River Heritage Park.

There was not as much parking as neighbors would have liked.

The entrances to the garage were on South Peter Street.

The Omni team did a complete redesign of this hotel to get completely off the Mississippi River Heritage Park, have the speed ramps enter from the port of Pishair, add 325 spaces of parking.

We have many design changes today in direct response to community feedback before we even applied to this planning commission.

So staff recommending 250 feet, and this is the only disagreement we have with staff.

250 was an average height along convention center boulevard.

It was a great analysis.

But this isn't an average project.

This is a transformational project, and we've got to include the massing necessary.

We'll talk a little more about that.

Half of the C VD is regulated by height.

Look left, it's FAR 12.

Look right, it's FAR 12.

Look the other way, it's an hourly parking garage.

But FAR is the right way to regulate this site.

Floor rate, we're about 10.8.

The FAR of 12 is more than enough.

If you want to put a strict height limit, the Hilton's 341.

That's fine by us as well.

But FAR 12, we believe is intellectually the right way to do this.

What our request is at the end of the day is support of the staff recommendation, subject to an FAR 12.

That's the that's the request.

Because without that, we need a bigger footprint.

That doesn't work.

Without that, we'd have to take parking out.

We can't do that.

We wouldn't have enough parking that brings to the neighborhood.

And if we take programming out, we do not meet the requirements of a transformational hotel.

So we appreciate your support.

We appreciate staff support, excuse me.

We asked for your support, and we're here to answer questions in real help.

Can you give us a visual closest then that would be if this height is going to be on the quaitress?

So we're we're the two blocks diagonally from the Hilton Hotel, that's 341.

We're shorter than that.

And actually, staff's recommendation is for a 1.6 million square foot hotel.

We're only a million square feet.

If we did a big cube, it would be a whole lot more square footage because floor area ratio regulates mass.

We're actually smaller with less square footage than even the staff recommendation.

And one of the important points about this the base zoning is a 75-125.

The Omni Architects, after listening to the community, designed the podium at 118.

So the pedestrian experience has a podium level that is experienced as you drive by as you walk by at the same scale as the environment.

What protrudes up is just a very thin tower where the hotel rooms sit, and that uh is a glass tower, different material, so it would never be confused for historic, so that you have two components to this building, and that was a way to make sure it fit in with the CBD, but also achieve the program.

And you're talking about the hilton center bullet.

That's right.

Right.

And what is the height level of the federal five levels of name?

Um we have it in the report, and I'll pull it up for five times rebuttal today.

Thank you.

And then Daryl Burger.

Yes, yes, for now.

Um, good afternoon, April 48 streets, strategies.

Um, thank you again to staff for thoroughly uh research report and how the text amendment reports are inherently complex because they are lazy, and so we just want to um extend gratitude and for their efforts on this one.

So I just want to touch a little bit more on FAR because it was covered pretty quickly, because that is really the request today.

It really is as simple as we need to take the floor plate of the site, you multiply it by that factor, and that's your max square footage.

But what that allows an architect to do is be a little more creative in how they mass the building and not just build one big cube, right?

So one big cube at 250 feet, um, just wouldn't wouldn't result in a better design hotel here.

So the the request is really rooted in existing CVO language and our existing FAR map as it is FAR regulation is over half of the C D.

We took the proposed project and we compared it to what a massing would look like if we just said 250 feet and max that out.

Uh it might kind of touch on this, but if we did that, we would build one big cube and it could be 12 more stories above the existing podium that you see, and so actually would have a more obtrusive experience of the ground floor, and it would get up to 1.6 million square feet.

We're only at a million here.

So it's 60% more massing would actually be allowed if we had a 250-foot flat building height.

The FAR really allows you to mold your square footage and your massing with on within the site for ultimately a better design.

That's why we like to use FAR and the CD.

Um, so it's a great tool for design without overwhelming the site.

Transitioning quickly to master plan, uh, master plan alignment is always critical to a project for something to tell you all that.

Uh one of the principles principles that stood out to us is the world's meeting place, support appropriate development immediately adjacent to the Superdome and Convention Center by creating a major venue zoning district, and really that's what we're asking to do here with this overlay.

Um, another great quote from CBD is different from development in other parts of the city because higher levels of building design and bulk are allowed.

It's well documented in height studies of the C BD that the bowl theory is what we have decided works best.

So height on the periphery, this site is exactly on the periphery of the site.

So we think we fall well within master plan principles in that regard.

So again, would you be respectfully request that we adopt the staff report um with just the change to the FAR height and to work?

Good afternoon, Ecka Geiger, 800 Rome Street from strategy.

I'd like to briefly walk through the zoning framework for this request, and most importantly, how the majority of our requests are supported by staff.

The site is currently zoned C BD2.

We're a hotel barby of permitted use.

So this is not about introducing a new use, it's about ensuring the zoning framework can support a complex project of this significance.

That's why this overlay district is being requested.

The overlay creates a coordinated framework that allows a high quality, thoughtfully designed project to move forward in a way that simply wouldn't be possible for the base zoning alone or for piecing adjustments.

We've already heard about the height approach using FAR, so I won't spend time on that.

But I do want to focus on many areas where staff supports our request.

First, design standards.

As you can see in the renderings in your reports, this is a beautiful, highly considered project that takes its cues from the surrounding context.

The adjustments we've proposed provide the flexibility needed to achieve that level of design.

And we are in agreement with staff on this component.

On loading, circulation, and curve cuts.

While curb cuts are typically restricted in parts of the CBD, allowing them here is critical to making the site function.

It directs traffic to convention center boulevard and away from neighborhood streets.

And staff agrees that this results in a better, more thoughtful circulation plan on bike parking, lighting, and signage.

Staff first supports our request that the requirement for 100 bicycle parking spaces in the base zoning is a bit excessive.

Staff also agrees in the adjustment of the standard building mounted lighting height to allow for respectful decorative lighting and allows for us to adjust the signage to reflect the scale character of the project.

So aside from the height framework, our request is met with the staff recommendation of approval.

And ultimately, this overlay is what will allow Omni to deliver a cohesive, well-functioning, and truly beautiful project that adds to the convention center in the city as a whole.

Thank you.

Richard, can you buy him?

And Stephanie Turner.

Mr.

Cole, do you think of the streetscape that you could pull up for?

Yeah.

So that's the right way.

I find it best.

Two minutes.

Okay.

Okay.

Hi, I'm Darrell Berger, 6000 St.

Charles Avenue, founder and chairman of the Berger Company of New Wallace.

Can you have the microphone?

Yes.

Do I need to repeat that?

Yeah.

There's my two minutes to restart me.

Thank you.

I've been developing real estate here in New Orleans since 1972.

That's 54 years of your county.

And over those years, I've seen some remarkable positive things happen in our city.

The construction, the opening of the superdome, all three phases of the convention center, the creation of a magnificent downtown central riverfront, the creation of the modern hospitality industry, powerful office and hotel carum along quadras from the river to the superdome, the revitalization of vibrant historic neighborhoods, including just by way of a few uh examples, Marini and Biwater and Tremay, the magazine street car and cold Valdiers and others.

And the creation of an entirely new neighborhood in our community in New Orleans East.

But over the arc of my lifetime, I've also seen things that have created tremendous and severe challenges for our beloved city.

A population that has decreased over the space of my career from well over 600,000 people to under 400,000.

Significant challenges on both lower and upper canal street and in our traditional CBD as long-time commercial tenants as the part of this.

The loss of many of our corporate citizens, particularly in oil and gas and banking, creating a void in job opportunities and corporate leadership.

And if you're correct, that while wonderfully architecturally regulated by our BCC is in dire need of infrastructure investment and strict enforcement of the laws.

So I give that historic perspective.

Undoubtedly is the oldest guy in this room, I think.

Um to just say that, like most No-Linions, I believe we're at a crossroads in the future of our city.

We currently have new and exciting political leadership, which is always the time for optimism, hope, and creative new ideas.

One thing is for certain though, if we don't make significant investments and bold investments in our city, we will go backwards, not forward.

So I would urge that you set up the staff report, which we greatly appreciate to modify the height as requested, and I thank all of you commissioners for someone who's been here half a century ago for your wonderful service to the city.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Richard Kemp.

Hi.

Richard Kemp, my address is 300 gallery parkway in Atlanta, Georgia.

With Rule George Tramwell Route, who is the archetype of the project.

And the design intent for this hotel is supposed to reflect and be inspired by the warehouse district context.

The building podium, which we've talked about previously, response to materiality and texture that is seen in the neighborhood, the rhythm of details, and the proportions of the neighborhood.

It is contemporary building, yes, but we feel it is grounded in the character of the local context.

Our podium structure, which we talked about previously, is what defines the pedestrian experience of this project.

It is complementary to the surrounding buildings in terms of form and scale, and it's in alignment with current zoning framework already.

The podium also activates the street experience on both Convention Center Boulevard and Hagens and the park through the use of glass and placement of our active use spaces.

The lobby, free food and beverage venues, the pre-function for the meeting spaces are all in this podium.

And what that means is there will always be constant movement at the base of the building to reflect and be seen by the people that are on the sidewalk.

The hotel tower, it's intentionally light and slender.

It's meant to feel separate and distinct from the podium, and it's reflective of nature means it has minimal presence on pedestrians.

We work hard to get the relationship of the building podium right with respect to the neighborhood.

The experience of the street is both defined by this polyum and not the tower.

So if you were to have a fluoride ratio of 12, what is the lowest height you could live with?

I think the lowest height that we can live is what we're proposing.

336 feet plus or minus yes, in order to get by one.

Could you get a lower height with a different fluoride ratio?

You would get a lower height, but I think that would come at the expense of the experience.

You're getting a more massive building, you're getting a greater presence on Convention Center Boulevard, and we work purposely to minimize the effect on the street on the front door.

And so as you start lowering mass, you make it more massive.

It's counterintuitive.

Um we feel those moves are detrimental to the building.

Yes.

And then Stephanie Turner and Ben Roberts after that.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Okay.

Good afternoon.

My name is Linda.

Yes.

I have really bad handwriting.

For the record, I have really bad handwriting.

Um, I serve as director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility at the New Orleans Lemon Rail Convention Center.

Um, my address is mine hydro convention center boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.

I'm here today to speak in support of the proposed zoning request for the Omni New Orleans.

I oversee sustainability strategy, including our lead certification, which is our green building standard.

We have two gold certifications in the building so far, the convention center.

Um, and oversee environmental initiatives.

Sustainability has always been a priority, and we're constantly making changes to elevate our environmental practices.

Upgrades to the sustainability building include HVAC F-rays, LED lighting, water refill stations, and the pool roof, which we reduces the urban island effect in the neighborhood.

We also achieve an 84% recycling rate on the first phase of our renovations and continued use of large and critical lead certification environments.

We understand what it takes to implement and maintain high performance sustainable facilities.

With Omni New Orleans, we are committed to working with our partners for sustainable practices.

This commitment from Omni, which they have committed to this, is a meaningful sustainability has been considered early, and we're aligning the project, they're aligning the project with standards that we recognize.

This project reflects a coordinated forward-looking approach to development along our riverfront, one that supports economic growth while also prioritizing environmental sustainability.

Thank you for considering this project.

I also want to thank the staff for the thoughtful and thorough reports.

This is a transformational project with major benefits for the city, and I support it.

Stephanie China, then Roberts, and Cole Parsons.

Yes.

Good afternoon.

I'm Stephanie Turner, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Strategies at Northern Big Company, and our address is 2020 St.

Joe's Atomy.

I'm here to support the development of Omni New Orleans on Convention Center for the bar.

And then nearly 19 million visitors who come to New Orleans each year.

With our current inventories of hotels, we compete with cities who are investing billions in new hotel properties or new and expanded convention centers.

The growth of our city's strongest industry requires evolution and investment.

Meetings and conventions are the foundational layer of our tourism economy.

In 2025 alone, our convention sales team built more than 1.7 million moonlights into the future as far out as 2040.

That's more than 400 million dollars in direct sales that will amount to billions of economic impact in a year to come.

Years to despite our success, the national convention and meetings industry is more competitive than ever.

And we need the Omni project to help us win the most important meetings and events and conventions over other cities.

Omni project as designed and presented to you, prevents our city from losing market share and propels us forward.

It keeps New Orleans competitive.

While we are so grateful for your work and appreciate the support the staff has provided, it is essential that the headquarter hotel has designed and presented be approved.

A headquarter hotel with at least a thousand rooms is necessary to provide transformational impact software our community.

The hype reflects Omni design, and it's essential to delivering the full headquartered experience.

Guest rooms, all rings, meeting spaces that make this project transformational.

The design was achieved through meaningful neighborhood engagement compromise following discussions with leaders and members of the community.

Omni's commitment to keep Shark and intact and avoid expanded footprint along with Andrew State Piggins Boulevard is the result to finding a balance and working with the community.

This type of investment is critical.

On behalf of New Orleans and Company, I express my strong support.

Oh that was funny.

I expressed my strong support for the Omni New Orleans as presented to the City Planning Commission.

Thank you for your time.

Ms.

Jackson, I have a question.

I had a question for you.

How many hotel rooms then are you factoring in that are going to be built in New Orleans if you've gone ahead and booked all of these conventions?

We don't, and and the because you would never book any meeting, and so these long-term meetings are constantly evolving as things happen in our country.

And the when our when our customers see what's happening competitively, you know, they look to you and say, well, what's happening in New Orleans?

We've been there, we've come there, but what's changing, what's evolving?

And the true landscape requires that you have things closer, more convenient across the street at the larger scale, to be able to compete nationally as Jay Cicero spoke about other major events.

It's a huge part of our competitive landscape.

And for us to be able to grow.

Our compact footprint's a great thing, but it's also bound and it hasn't had a significant hotel of that size in over the 40 years.

So we're very important.

Thank you.

Ben Roberts, Cole Parsons, Byron Robins.

And I'm going to introduce uh Commissioner Jackson, who is a part of our commission now.

Welcome.

Yes.

All right.

Ben Roberts.

Good afternoon.

Ben Roberts, I'm the general manager of the Hilton Garden Moon New Orleans Convention Center, 1001 South Peter Street, and one of the southern East Europeans.

And I'm here to support the proposed Omni Hotel site.

I work in this district every day and see how hotel development directly affects employment.

I'm here to support the Omni New Orleans project, including the zoning text amendments.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful thorough Slack report.

The Convention Center Corridor is one of New Orleans' most important economic engines for the city and for the region.

New Omni helps the city attract larger conventions and higher value events like the Super Bowl.

These are important anchor events from our hotel.

More conventions and higher value events like this.

Permanent hospitality jobs in the future and expanded tax revenue that supports city services.

We believe this type of investment for our city not only benefits our community but sets us up for long-term success and increasingly competitive.

Thank you again for you and finance.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Cole Parsons, the managing director of the Eliza Jane Hotel.

So again, here to support the proposed amendment for the Omni Hotel as a whole.

Again, as we mentioned earlier, this is truly transformational for our not only for our city but for our region as a whole.

Very not very often we have a billion dollar investment all said and done.

Truly wanted to be invested in our community.

Thousands of construction jobs, fixing thousands of jobs operationally for this hotel, which at the end of the day, what it's all about is a way of life for our people.

And so as as a as a New Orleans who lives in New Orleans in Lakeview, I raised my own family.

So it's about our people, it's about who we are.

And this is what we do in our culture.

So at the end of the day, we're a crossroads.

Transformation, potential Super Bowl, the final fours, and there's even conventions that were potentially losing out as we even as we speak now that have these old headquarters hotels that book in for their convention centers.

And obviously we've all done the research, but you can see they've done other conventions in other cities.

And it really is taken entire districts and entire areas that were overlooked or underutilized and made it the premier destination.

So it really is an opportunity for lifetime for all of us.

Brian Roberts.

And the forwards that we provide and those that may be interested in the industry.

It's imperative at this point that the industry push forward.

Projects like this allow us to push forward to be competitive on a national scale to ensure that we get tremendous opportunity and then ultimately be able to show up and to do as we did this just each year with the Super Bowl.

So I encourage everyone to consider this budget to look at the benefits that we'll provide to our city, to our community, to the neighborhood that I'm proud to be a labor in, we're proud to work in, those that live and work with us, and also that would be patronize our city as well.

Tax dollars will provide city services, city services that we need that will allow us to get cities to compete nationally, not just in our industry, but also as being a great city in our country.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

I hope that you'll continue to consider this project.

Madeline Calliak.

Hello, that's okay.

Hi, I'm Maddie Taliansich, a project manager for event consultants, LLC.

My address is 429 Florida Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana.

We are a boutique event planning company that's operated by a group of women born and raised in New Orleans.

Our events range in size from intimate board meetings to large customer-facing conventions all over the world.

We plan a few smaller events every year in New Orleans, only small because we don't have something like this project.

A new convention hotel with a thousand updated sleeping rooms right across the street from the convention center is a huge selling point to me as an event planner.

There's plans for a ballroom and junior ballroom in the hotel for meetings, but the bigger draw for our even larger clients is the possibility of a sizable room block at the hotel with easy access to the larger meeting spaces at the convention center.

This saves my client money on transporting hundreds of attendees.

Client dollars that can go right back into our local economy.

We do a lot of business in Florida as a big convention cities, but I believe that New Orleans has a lot more to offer culturally to event attendees than these places.

A new convention hotel represents a significant investment in our wonderfully unique and diverse city.

This could play an important role in strengthening a convention center and the city's ability to compete, bringing more visitors, supporting local businesses, and driving long-term economic activity.

I'd love to bring more business to the place that I call home.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alita Carpenter.

Terry Dreyer and Matt Wolf.

Alika Caparata is not speaking.

Okay, thank you.

Terry Direyer is speaking.

Carrie Dreyer and then Matt Wolf.

And Vernon Haley.

Bernard Henley.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Terry Hogendreyer.

I am the managing partner at Nano Architecture Firm.

I know some of you on board here.

And I have been in the 25 years.

I think 25th anniversary.

We are also the firm that has been working in and near the convention center for the past five years.

And we will continue for the next five to seven.

For the architect of record for over 150 million dollars of project work that's going on.

The attention to detail that the convention center allows and does and puts forth is pretty phenomenal.

They're always looking at small businesses and how they approach their work.

They're looking at how the design is going to affect the possibilities for the local neighborhoods, and that they create both holistic uh opportunities for all involved.

I think it's incredible the work that they've done with their DVE program and their SEP program, and that's a lot to be said.

This omni hotel is going to be transformational, and the master planners and architects have been thoughtful in their arrangement, integrating scale and poracity into the sitting into the sighting and the articulation of the building.

The setbacks are in keeping with the scale and the height, and I think that they've done a really good job of working with neighborhoods today.

This is critical for the economic future and viability of the city of New Orleans.

And for our international and our strong international tourism leadership.

For our city and state to compete and bring the joy of our culture to the world, we need this convention center hotel.

It's going to provide 213 million dollars in economic product of impact, 1,400 permanent jobs, and 15.2 million in annual net city revenue.

Those are real numbers, and those are and as a person who's on the ground now working in conventions, not just here, but in other convention centers, the competition is pretty incredible.

And we are now up against those convention cities that we were never up against before.

And for us to remain competitive and bring out a beautiful culture.

Thank you.

Matt Wolf and then Art and Lee.

And those are all the parts that I have in support.

So if you have a part here that are your hearing support and they're not part up here, it needs to come up here.

Otherwise, we're going to move to the opposition.

Matt.

Good afternoon.

My name is Matt Wolf.

I'm the chief marketing officer at Grady Warlands Inc.

We're located at another hundred sports district.

We'll start by taking the City Planning Commission staff for the Bureau and thought we'll report on this project.

This is exactly what a development of this scale reserves.

Geno Inc.

is here in strong support.

More than 550 million dollars of private investment from outside money into our city.

Not public money.

This is an outside company looking at New Orleans, doing its homework, and betting on this city's future.

Attracting this kind of capital is what Geno Inc.

works on day in and day out.

And this kind of commitment goes to cities with momentum, with promise, and with a clear clear trajectory war.

If we say no to this, we send a different message entirely to the world.

This is a vote of confidence in New Orleans, and you should treat it as well.

The numbers speak for themselves, 213 million dollars in economic impact, 1,400 permanent jobs, 15 million dollars in new tax revenue, 27 new conventions in our events each year.

This strengthens our ability to compete, support local businesses, and drive long-term economic activity across the regions.

Outside investors are choosing New Orleans.

Thank you.

Just so you guys understand what this project does and I got myself at the fourth version for you, then uh project manager there, and both the senior project manager at the four seasons project, and from there uh the senior shipment managers access and came back to saw my own firm and currently one because it's in there as well, and we need the point.

And came back to start my own car, and all I'm currently on the computer center as well and the funding and Caesars.

As long as you all have these jobs available, people can continue to assign their careers without them.

And the biggest part of what I'm notice, everyone starts to look at MEP firms, and like, oh, we've got to grow our funding workforce and what have you.

Uh the investment made in the Wall's career center reading of all these different outfits that have 50, 30, 30 kids, 52s every uh electrical employment.

They're gone too.

So you want to grow the workforce, allow them to work on large parties like this and continue to build on this like this.

Thank you.

I have a pardon.

Mr.

Tucker.

Ms.

Tucker.

I apologize.

Thank y'all so much.

My name is I am Kristen Tucker.

Uh, I'm the president and CEO of uh Ilse Engineering.

We're full service civil engineering construction management program management firm here in New Orleans.

We work on several very uh different projects across a lot of different agencies in this city.

Um the convention center is one of them.

We work in tandem with some great partners that are right back here behind me.

The thing that I want to quickly say right quick, um, I think Renard touched on it really well about growing companies and growing the workforce.

There are very few opportunities in New Orleans right now.

I've been in business for a short 17 years, and this is the least opportunity I've seen.

Not just for small disadvantaged businesses, but I mean for small businesses that luckily.

This city has a uh a reputation for only choosing large firms and money going to large firms and that same money not being regenerated here in this economy right now.

There are large firms that are doing the right thing, there are large companies that are doing the right thing, and there are agencies that are doing the wrong thing.

I'm speaking here in support only because I'm a part and watching and a witness and a testament to agencies doing the right thing and the right way.

It's not just about growing the workforce like you talked about right now, it's about maintaining what we do have.

And in this city, there are not enough projects going on to be able to maintain good exists.

So where there is opportunity in the very short windows that there are, where there is funding, where the pieces are moving together the right way, it's a huge, huge opportunity for loss.

So I thank you for letting me speak today about it.

Um, I'm speaking from a firm that's we've been at 55 people over the past um five years, and I've had to lay off six to eight people in the past two months for lack of opportunity in this city, for lack of funding for projects in this city, and for lack of agencies that actually do their business the right.

So again, uh anything to be able to spur and boom opportunity and to do with partners that understand how to get you for the time.

Yes.

Yes, sorry, 4298 at lesion fields speeding.

Thank you.

All right, we're gonna move into opposition.

Troy uh and then Mary Al and I have please remember your name and advanced.

Um please put slide 56.

Um that's more review with the able to see and kind of thumb stuff uh two walls instead of uh you know setting the setback with the show as slide.

Um the uh the staff did a good job of looking at looking at everything.

I don't think we're gonna come for the actual area that the president's going to need to.

Uh years ago, I should say it might be two ways in each direction to run.

Um this is gonna be the only thousand herb hotel that has one lane of traffic in each direction.

All the other side is three lines of traffic instructions.

That's important because you know we have all the hotels in there already, and you pull up on them, you're not gonna go control park and everything.

You want to have people do that here traffic right now.

Um, one place whole park classes, we can try to have uh tours come out of there.

Um the water pressure in the area is frequently at 2025 QSI, especially when cruise ships run.

Uh, some kind of problems training, plus uh super water board many times to promote it, happens in time.

Um I've seen no uh impact from this study on how much how many new water lines and sewer lines will have to be put in on the save and save the money.

Um this is basically parking cruise ship every day, but I expect us to have more poor water drivers every day unless this this is a response.

Um based on what the uh the commission is offering to give the army uh if we're talking a year for this.

That's essentially $55 for every night for a thousand rooms.

So essentially tax rate dollars that are other hotels tax money is won't you have to subsidize that is only $15 or $55 a month for the ones profits the height of this requirement we study us really took six years six years to get that in place, and this is the total opposition of that work.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, I'm Marion Ellen Weatley with the Preservation Resource Center at 923 Choppachula Street.

Uh I would like to thank the CPC staff for their extensive analysis of this zoning docket and the development team for meeting with us several times over the last year.

We are glad that the convention center is following the permitting process and gathering public input on the development of their headquarters hotel, which we hope will be a strategic benefit for the city.

Today the PRC is here as a neighbor of the proposed development and as an advocate for the warehouse district, which the PRC successfully listed in the National Register in the 80s, making its revitalization possible using historic tax credits.

After reviewing the staff report, we appreciate the recommendation to somewhat limit the proposed size of the hotel and the conclusion that an FAR of 12 would result in excessive height that is out of scale with the surrounding 80 to 90 foot tall historic buildings, including the federal final hills building, uh which I think falls in that category.

The report, however, does not include any considerations regarding a required setback to the hotel's primary tower.

The most recent renderings show the tallest part of the building, the L shape looming directly over the park and also facing the historic district.

Setbacks in historic districts help align new construction with the existing streetscape by making the bulk of the height and massing less present.

The current zoning designates a two-tier approach with a 75-foot maximum for the base adjacent to the property lines and 125-foot limit for the setback portions.

We ask that the commission consider a similar two-tier recommendation to require the maximum height of the Omni Tower be set back on a base that is more to scale and visually compatible with the surrounding historic neighborhood.

We respectfully ask that the commission defer this application to further consider requiring um a setback in the CPC recommendation.

Thank you.

And then Bunny White.

Hi, hi, my name is Keaver Perry.

I'm a homeowner and I have a child in the public city system.

I love our city.

And I'm I'm a I'm completely against giving on this brand zone industry because the meeting for we don't even know the whole story.

Because I'm just an authority, I try to push the zoning quote.

Going forward without selling us the entire price paid for the project.

From everything that we have heard, it sounds like a terrible deal.

I'm proud of the home.

I own my home.

But it's getting harder and harder.

Since 2019, the price of groceries have gone up over 5%.

The price of electricity in Louisiana has gone up over 37%.

And the homeowner insurance market is really scary right now.

The new site at say last July that Louisiana has the second highest home insurance prices in the country.

And homeowners like me and New Orleans Metro spend more than 17% of the area's median and income on home insurance coverage.

That I was paying 3,000 something a year.

Now I'm paying 10,000 a year.

But I still do everything the right way.

As I mentioned, I have a child in the public school system.

The continent hotel deal have massive consequences for our city.

Not just for us, but for the future generation.

But the truth is we have no idea whether we're getting it right because we have because the developers are trying to get it like piece by piece and not being transparent at all about how much is it going to cost us.

I'm sorry.

Okay, sorry.

And Joseph.

And I'm a member of United Here at Oval 23.

You see your address, please.

And I'm here to tell you to vote over zoning to Omni.

We are we are why are we thinking about giving Omni a zoning change on top of all the other given we're on the table?

Especially when we don't know exactly how much this deal is going to cost taxpayers.

Like me.

Maybe the conventional authority and omni think that taxpayers will stop paying attention and lose interest if they try to get this terrible deal over the finish line bit by bit.

I'd be able to tell you all that's not going to happen.

Don't give this project a huge development bonus before we know what the entire project is going to cost.

We can't be giving a wealthy, our state held hotel developer.

All of these zoning bonuses and giveaways.

Not right now where you seem like our city infrastructure is falling apart.

It's only April, and we've already had six waterman breaks this year.

The executive director of the sewer and water board agency said that we don't have the funds to fix the system at once.

And 33 miles of water main are more than 100 years old.

How much worse is the water main prices going to get?

And we're talking about bending over backwards to change the zoning rules so that Omni can build their hotels as they want, towering over the neighborhood, and then go get their hundreds of millions of dollars of tax breaks on top of that.

And sometimes in the school school and I drive over.

They mess up my car, and we have a thousand of all those.

Thank you.

That's your time.

Can you please see your address for the record?

My address is 3543 Del C Street.

I live in the Broadmoor area.

Thank you.

And y'all, anybody living in the Broadmoor area, you know, you're ready to swim.

And then Joseph Cotton.

Cliffova and Monica Ferrero.

Those are the cards that I have left.

Any address, please.

So if you got me, my name is Mike James.

I'm an organizing director of the Maker of Over 23 New Orleans.

My address is 4524 DVD.

We're concerned that the city could have over 100 million dollars in subsidies for large out of state corporations for home projects.

Or working people in the city struggle to make things need.

And the city is having a services to the project project.

This hotel project can't be competitive without this massive development funds via zoning change.

Maybe Omni needs to go back to the drawing board and figure out a project that can because of the stands.

This is a terrible deal that comes.

The site's current zoning authority allows me to build a hotel.

And this zoning change would change the rules for Omni so that they can build a bigger hotel, whether or not it makes sense for the warehouse districts neighborhood.

And neighbors have raised concerns about that height in size and other impacts to the neighborhood of this proposed hotel.

At the community engagement meeting, one community member raised concerns about PASC advice interval over construction and spoke to a lack of trust in the menu center.

I believe a summary of that is in your packets.

The reply they got was we hope we can earn your trust.

Well, we can't earn you can't earn our trust by moving this project forward piecemeal, and we still don't have the full price tag for taxpayers.

We all know that at New Orleans faces a huge budget deficit.

222 million latest projections.

New Orleans had to slash its budget by 150 million.

And it was just reported last week that the city's credit rating was dropped to the third lowest level of investment rating.

The ratings for SG said it's structurally imbalanced operations, the climbing reserve and the liquidity and indeed provide multiple one-time members to be in short-term cash needs.

What our city is facing what Bloomberg calls one of the worst financial crises in its modern history.

How can we give this deal away as piece by piece?

Thank you.

That's a good question.

So you are a union hotel, an airport worker?

That's correct.

And you don't want this hotel.

We have major concerns about the public financing of the hotel.

So am I missing something, but wouldn't some of you is it?

Would you wouldn't some of your people be employed there, or is it a non-union hotel?

I'm trying to understand.

Sure, it connects.

But what we're asking is why does this hotel need hundreds of millions in public subsidy to build this hotel?

Okay.

I work for 826 six or more in New Orleans uptown.

I'm a warehouse worker.

I'm a proud union member.

Among many of the people that I work with are hospitality workers who are working second jobs in hotels and restaurants in a quarter.

And they amount to something like 80,000 people in the city who put their blood and sweat in order to build a life for themselves and expect that perhaps they could retire with some degree of comfort.

One in three children in New Orleans lives under the poverty level.

These are the realities that we're dealing with that working class people are dealing with day to day in New Orleans.

And so I'm urging this body to put the brakes on this project until we really understand what the impact is going to be on working class residents of New Orleans.

We're talking about a potential loss of tax revenue in the amount of 669 million dollars.

We're talking about an already lost tax revenue in the hotel occupancy and food and beverage taxes, which have already been jacked up going directly into the pockets of the developers.

All that's on top of the nearly 200 million dollars that goes into private tourism corporations.

Now, I'm not an opposition to the hospitality and tourism industry.

I think that the 80,000 people deserve to live to live to work at living wage positions.

They deserve good transportation, they deserve good child care, all of which could be financed with the money that we're talking about sacrificing to these private developers.

And that's why I'm here urging you to take very seriously the conditions that real people face in the city and what would invest that like working class people really be in the city.

Thank you.

Hello?

I gave my department.

Okay.

Oh, yeah, thank you.

Four minutes, and then that's our last speaker.

Oh, Cliff, 11 or 70 speakers, but probably won't be.

I've heard a lot of paid supporters come up here, but not really anybody that lives in the neighborhood that didn't have a financial interest in this project.

Um the issues that we brought up in previous meetings, I don't think have been addressed satisfactorily to many of us residents in rate.

Um the hotel talks about having last hour understood 300 parking spike spaces in the future because parking is a big issue there.

Um would they potentially gonna take away our count with about 192 spaces?

So their net gain is less than 110 parking spaces, if my numbers are correct.

They've not addressed, we've talked to them about building the parking garage, and something we have not seen any uh concrete information about that.

Traffic, a thousand room hotel, the amount of traffic we face right now in time there's any kind of essence festival, water growl, whatever.

It's gridlocked.

It'll take 30 minutes to get from the expressway ramp to the parking lot, which is the lot before the front of our building.

Uh I have not seen though we've requested an independent traffic study to see what that's going to do to the traffic.

Um so before the council or the committee makes their recommendations.

I'd ask them to defer at a minimum, if not deny, but to defer until the parking issues were addressed.

I didn't see that when I skimmed through the report.

I didn't think I'd make it here, so I'm a little bit unprepared and nervous.

Um the parking and the traffic study should be should be presented to you all for consideration.

You know, they talk about the size of the hotel, that's that's another matter.

The infrastructure to support it is a big issue for us.

I believe in the road.

Um transformational, it's definitely gonna transform the warehouse industry from a residential community of small businesses that it is today to some something that's not never intended to be.

If you can't deny it, delay it until these other issues can be addressed.

I will ask staff maybe just to comment on the traffic study.

There was a traffic study done for the street closure portion of it.

Um that resulted in basically saying there would be a little bit of change to the traffic by not a lot, but I don't think it was looking at the new development, it was only looking at the street closure if that makes sense.

So I don't know if there was another one that was done.

And yeah, my first look.

They're gonna talk about adding you know, uh egress for for deliveries and stuff in the back of the hotel right up against where you know one of the other hotels are.

It's hard for us to believe that it's gonna be a good thing.

Well, you've got Mills Rose, Lakefield's lost, and then the bakery and medical fiber mills.

I feel like those are the critical condos right there that are gonna be impact this.

I agree that the traffic in that area is just gone for us, and it takes like 30, 45 minutes to get the lower part and down to that area, so you have to go to camp.

You have to go over to get all the trucks coming up in the interstate.

So they're probably not taking one of the cities in the streets.

Is that gonna help or hurt?

I don't know.

The traffic study would be well identified, taking the street away.

Would it flow traffic better?

Or is it going to congest more?

I don't know.

Thank you.

Right, I said the vaporage, you know, when you start your rebuttal.

I mean, definitely infrastructure and potentially conversations that you've had, you know, with the city on that as well as okay.

Um that we'd like to hear address in rebuttal before we do.

Yeah, um, well, I mean, I was gonna uh let the parking spaces and if the parking spaces were the required or you had on in the parking garage.

Um I also wanted to know if you did any type of shadow study uh to see whether shadows are being cast on the buildings and parks and you know the other building for how that how that affects the details, Commissioners Mike Sherman again on behalf of the Omni.

I'll do my best to take you to these topics and we have team members that can dive into further depth.

Um we did two traffic studies.

Uh the local traffic engineering company urban systems completed both.

They've been submitted to the Department of Public Works.

Staff is correct.

The first traffic study was relative to the road closure of John Churchill Chase, but there's a second traffic study that was also submitted to the city relative to the entire effect of the project, which found acceptable standards.

We'll continue to work with DPW on any improvements to the traffic infrastructure in the vicinity.

With traffic as well as water, really all utilities, I'll point to water because that's the big one that Mr.

Dupleet spoke about.

At Omni expense, at Omni expense, there's going to be millions of dollars of infrastructure improvements in the vicinity to upgrade the infrastructure.

Some of that is because there's broken water, sewer, and drainage lines.

Some of that is because of capacity issues.

So one of the benefits to the community is that the streets will be pulled up and the infrastructure beneath will be completely replaced at Omni expense.

So one of the benefits is improved infrastructure.

On design, I heard comments on design.

So this is interesting.

Today we're here for a text amendment to allow the zoning envelope, and our submittal on design will go before the HDLC for an advisory review and then to the design advisory committee.

So I heard the PRC's comments, and we look forward to following up with them.

We appreciate them meeting with us throughout the project.

Not one penny, not one penny of city sales tax will go into this project.

So the this is you can't really say it's very often.

So the public incentive package is uh sales tax rebates primarily from state entities, not the city of New Orleans, not the Orleans Paris School Board, not the regional transit authority, not one penny, not one penny of city funds are going into this project at all.

Quite the opposite, actually.

If we're fortunate to be approved, five million dollar building permit will be paid to the city of New Orleans in the next 90 days.

Twenty million dollars of sales tax, half to local tax entities coming to the city of New Orleans, Orleans Power School Board, the taxing bodies this year, not a penny of that gets reinvested into the project.

We're not the project is going to even be paying property taxes.

The property tax calculation is set at the comp set of similar hotels.

So they're not off the property tax rolls and getting a break where they're not paying taxes like many new projects are.

One comment I don't understand, and someone's been improperly agree.

This project has been so heavily studied in terms of the public participation.

There's a 32-page BGR report released in December, it's been the front page of the Times Picky.

There's been a ton of discussion on the public incentive package.

There are additional approvals to go.

That's not before the board.

But in terms of transparency, I've actually never seen a more transparent project that was scrutinized by experts at the Bureau of Governmental Research, experts at the state of Louisiana.

And keep in mind the bulk of the tax incentive packages from the is from state taxing authorities reinvesting into this priority.

So I did want to touch on that.

I'm going to ask you if that's just where I'm just answering questions.

Right.

Future employees want to unionize as a legal process.

They're certainly welcome to do so when they exist if the hotel to be built.

There was a question I can respond to on the shadow study if you want to ask me the question.

It just has an impact because of the massing of that was talked about at PRC.

That was one of my questions that I'm asking the L Sheet faces at the warehouse district.

Why was the L sheep down on the other side?

And why would you know because the shadow would fall, you know, away from the actual resident side.

I don't think is there answering the so um two things are done by the design.

Thankfully, the way the sun rises and sets and the orientation of the hotel, we do not put our neighbors in the shade.

The convention center and the hotel at the shade, not the neighbors.

Um we have uh shadow studies, uh different times of the day, different times of the year, but because of the way the sun rises and sets, it is not putting the neighbors the five rolls or the bakery loss in the shade for extended periods.

Um parking or every transplant.

The traffic study, yeah.

Yeah, so uh traffic study.

Uh there probably are a couple things that additional traffic infrastructure upgrade that need to be done at Omni and convention center expense in the vicinity, um looking at street directions in the vicinity to make sure traffic that comes out of the neighborhood, not into the neighborhood.

Um so the traffic study, which is in EPW's hands, that'll be part of the design advisory committee and planning advisory committee approval process.

We'll have continuous feedback and dialogue with DPW.

Those studies are completed.

I think my question was of how many parking spaces will have on the site.

So uh parkings can be filled in three ways.

We're 325 on site.

Um it's interesting with Uber and Lyft and Bride Share.

We actually have surplus parking most of the time, so we'll be able to include employee parking in there when not at peak periods.

We do have two plans for both peak events, so think of an event where people are driving in versus flying in.

Uh and there's an adjacent parking garage, the kind of blue one, and there's convention center parking lots, and the omni design team is uh operations team, excuse me, is working with the convention center and multiple nearby lots for peak periods, but for the average daily demand we're more than sufficiently parked.

In the CBD, we don't have parking requirements, so 100% of the parking is voluntarily applied, committed by Omni, not by city requirements.

And even though it's not required, it does create a word and collect people.

And my last question is there's a net difference in what is what the staff has suggested and what you are asking.

So what is that net difference of height?

I calculated as 76 feet.

Is that correct?

Um the net difference is uh 36 plus 50 86.

So yes, but 10, yeah, 87 feet.

And did you cost calculate any kind of a net um benefit of that extra 87 feet that would convince us to think about this file?

I thought that was one of the great things in the staff report.

Please to make a commitment here that the convention center working with Omni can fulfill, which is a significant public improvement to the park.

Um so we've got local traffic engine urban systems on the water sewers with local engineer uh shrink and flannaken.

Well, we have local um design firm on landscaping back in Austin Michaels SMN, and they've passed up one of the names.

You're a good company.

Uh the uh, but they completed the DDD park study just last year.

It's not even final yet.

And substantial public input went into the Mississippi River Heritage Park based upon community input.

So I can truly say that both the convention center and omni are agnostic as to what the community wants there, except to say that we already have the design firm on contract working with Omni to make sure that for the community they will have an approved public park as a community benefit.

For that extra 86 feet, and we have to do that.

So the we we are we are technically not asking for any bonus at all.

We're trying to be as transparent as possible and following the master plan, which suggests that convention center adjacent zoning is appropriate.

Our request is for a text amendment, not for a zoning bonus, not for variants.

Um but as staff noted, what are the community benefits and it's much of infrastructure, economic development?

Tonight I can tell you if you're interested and you want to come.

Over 200 local construction companies tonight are going to be at the convention center meeting with the Omni team before any bid is issue to try to network with local companies and find out what opportunities they can get scaled up.

The same thing will be happening on individual jobs, and that will be a continuous cycle.

The people of New Orleans will build this hotel for New Orleans, and that starts tonight.

Um Ms.

Tucker's comments were very well stated and incredibly well received and a driving vision behind the project, and folks will hold us accountable to that.

But what I do want to say is that in addition to the economic development benefits, in addition to all the financial benefits to the city without costing the city any money, but public park improvement was something in addition to infrastructure improvements for the uh uh near neighbors.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

So just for the record as far as the hotel as far as the union goals.

Will they supply the neighbors and Christianism?

So uh I want to give a very precise answer.

Um the building trades will all be present tonight.

Okay, so they're all RSVP, they'll be present tonight.

A project of this magnitude will naturally have a very significant amount of union labor on it because of the $600 million project in New Orleans.

The building trades are always involved.

They have it on every major project.

So the question is, will there be union workers on the project?

There certainly will be.

Yeah.

Our request is supported the staff recommendation, subject to a fluoria ratio of 12.

So we can fully deliver a first and a half century transformational projects.

Thank you.

I have a question for staff once public.

Okay, I think we're done with the public.

Any more questions on your thing?

All right, uh Commissioner C.

So question for staff.

Um can you speak to the issues of adjustment of floor area ratio and adjustment of height and why staff thought it was important to put the parameters that you did and staff's um view of of what they're asking for.

Yes, yeah, I'm happy to provide some kind of clarity in this because staff did consider the public benefit that was just in essentially doubling the recommended defensible height for all of this, um, because also the 125 height limit is included in the setback.

The actual height limit at the street front is 75 feet.

So this is doubling the South Accord, you know, essentially doubles the existing height limit as a setback.

Um additionally, using the FAR as um uh measurement for height is uh like an arc an archaic way of measuring height in the warehouse district in this area, it's a remnant of um the way it was it used to be measured when projects like in the 70s when Hilton and all that kind of stuff was built when a lot of these really tall structures were built.

Um and so now that there have been like multiple very thoughtful height studies, um that's why in FAR is just not appropriate um as you know determined by all of staff's um research and that's can I elaborate on that as well?

Yeah, no, yeah.

So if you look at the height study is it's articulated in the zoning ordinance, there are areas that are currently regulated by FAR, and there are currently areas that are regulated by height.

So FAR is a density measurement and not a height measurement.

So the implicit the implication is that in where property is regulated by FAR, there's unlimited height, right?

So it's it's about the density.

Um as opposed to the areas that are regulated by height, are limited to the height.

Um I think the way the the height study was set up is that there are certain areas, particularly around historic districts, where height was deemed to be the more appropriate way to measure because of the low the generally low scale of the warehouse district.

Um and so that particular parcel was included in the area that was regulated by height as opposed to uh density across the street with the convention center, largely built upon, but the other areas where you see the FAR right uh regulation are gonna be on the major thoroughfares like Poidras and Loyola, where um the issue is more density as opposed to the impact of the height.

So yeah, do you understand that up?

That that illustrates it pretty well.

Um thank you.

Um so yeah, so I don't know if that answers in that.

Um isn't there a if do I read it wrong, but isn't there an FAR feeling of the staff recommended a height restriction?

Isn't there an FAR with the low point something or a level?

Oh yeah, we just adjusted like in in theory if um uh their requested um height existing would result in the case.

But as staff, sorry, uh staff you did not uh look at setbacks or any kind of I mean you use the total height as the setback and not an actual step back.

Yes, yeah, and uh we could have so in analyzing the three most similar properties that would be the Marriott Convention Center, which is nearby, the and then the hair, the original Harris Hotel on Poydras, and then the lows next to it.

One of them does have one of those setbacks, which is recommended in you know, kind of other areas of the city, including um having been considered at this by the setback.

How do staff end up at the 200 to 250 as opposed to 267 or 281?

Yeah, just kind of like it's a crunching of all the numbers.

There's um uh lots of there are lots of charts and everything.

There's we went, I guess I suppose little general, but um you know 250 is like a very generous maximum, you know, it's over a doubling out of 250 or so height limit would they still be able to get the same volume of of um meeting spaces, etc.

etcetera um it might be a few that like somebody described, but would they still be able to get the same amount of total um usable area?

So staff um like understands after meetings um with the developers and iterations of this um that it was important for uh structurally we're not I'm an architect or engineer, um, but that structurally it would have been difficult, it would be difficult to build above the ballrooms.

So that's why they didn't want to have um the hotel rooms above the ballrooms.

Uh I'm not sure if they could swing a couple of extra floors.

I had done analysis on paper about can I ask you at a lower height?

Can you still get the functionality that you need?

No, it's is that an absolute no, or is there some um it's no, but if it's not a feasible solution given the moves that were made to get the hotel off the park, the results of us having to stack multiple ballroom spaces on top of each other, which is difficult enough as it is, and you start looking at a clear span all room of 160 to 180 feet, and you try to land a tower on top of that it makes the project go away.

Okay, thank you.

If yeah, if we um if in theory these we accept your staff's recommendation with a height, you know, as a um the height is requested by the applicant, is there another body that would then look at the step back?

Um is the HDLC or you know, is the PRC, are they going to look at the design with more detail, or is that something that we have to do?

So we um the HDLC uh because it's a city owned, or sorry, state-owned entity property, um, does not have purview over this, they've already um reviewed it and made comments on the demolition aspects, but um in the design review, um I I have to Yeah, and I think I think what should be clear is that this is creating the zone in the title and within which the design is happening.

So understood that the design is fairly well-baked at least, you know, to some extent, this is only creating the height and volume the actual design review happens through the planning commission design advisory committee, and Mr.

Sherman referenced that that involves HDLC uh DPWR.

So that's been up.

Yes.

Oh, and so my question to the architect is that is there any step back that maybe can have potentially um we would have to study it.

Um we're also we're up against the sub programmatic requirements that make much feasible.

Um just have clarity.

Um trying to reopen the nodes on what enough address that the setback and I think but uh oh I just really did want to stress that the public benefit, everything that everybody has kind of discussed here was included in the considerations in the staff report.

So like that's why it's a very generous kind of um kind of number to try to get different ways to make it uh reasonable.

Can I make a motion to approve the staff report um with the exception of the height description height um as um requested by the client um in view of the general um the you know the general economic impact that was onto the life more or less really to clarify the text and the report is it is limited at 250 feet this or I assume we're saying it is that would be replaced with line at all that they are and then second any discussion commissioners, comments we have a motion on the I'll make a comment because I think there was a lot of operation.

So I I think it's a difficult if the lot of mirror on all the sides and there was certainly the staff report was extremely thoughtful and I would love to see a lower building that could work, but um I am gonna take the architects statement at base value and um if it just can't be done, I think the um the impact of the project, even though I'm tired of hearing the word transformational um impact of the project and the benefit um uh is makes it worth it and that's the only way to get it done, and that's why I second the point.

So the motion is for modified approval and improvement and increasing the density to collect it as well.

All right, let's go ahead and vote.

Commissioner Cye and um Commissioner Josie Hutton, yeah.

Commissioner Kepler, yes.

Commissioner Jackson?

Yes, Commissioner Metry, no.

Commissioner Yes.

All right.

And now we're gonna move on to zoning docket zero three zero-26.

I'm gonna come out.

Thank you so much for one thing.

I really appreciate it.

All right, so um explanation zero three zero-26.

Thank you everyone for coming, and for those that are staying, take care of it.

Okay.

All right.

So you might have zero zero things.

To an HP1A historic neighborhood business center, and a conditional use for permit a standard restaurant in the HD1A use prescription over the project allows the existing legally non-conformed restaurant having the no or the node to be functionally committed at the standard restaurant and hand up the zoning change to an HGP1A and for urban native business right now.

While carrying restaurants may generally pose that it might area such as up now, they proposed additional use of the operational in nature.

Providers qualifies under the story's not informing use policy and HP1A would be a more accurate and tracking on the classification of the site.

Staff represent approval of the requirements.

Staff also finds that a conditional use request needs to stand for approval and article four and not really important and in consortium with the master by action.

And summary staff recommended approval of vote to request the setting name and conditional use the committee standard time to be one of the stripes over a district subject to provide those.

As a note, staff receive a list of repositories by the nation association apply them and the applicant has deadline.

The commission may choose to suspend the roles for the sky or something.

Hello, Record I'm going to brown street, German Shading.

Um we understand there was a meeting last night that took place between the neighbors and the council members office and clear here is here as well.

So we are just here to request the 38 approval.

Okay, well let's um roll through and see if there's anyone else here to speak.

Um is there anyone else here to speak in support?

That there was a meeting.

Yeah, uh we had another place.

We had a meeting uh clearly done.

Um city council um we had a meeting about 55 neighbors, I would say last night.

Um we just had spending a two city given anything yesterday.

So um I think you know it was well I appreciate all the input from uh the neighbors we're having a talk about an hour and a half.

We would have just thirty days for everyone today that's everything.

And the neighbors think it has an order classy hands up in order.

Um reversible appreciation that to be a time to meet.

Thank you.

Uh no other parts of the pen, so then we do have a card in opposition.

Um I can't tailor.

Let's be able to do that.

Okay, are you you want to speak?

I don't need to speak now that everything's happening.

Well, we haven't voted yet.

Okay.

So you're welcome to, or you don't have to.

No, no, you don't have to.

Well, I'm happy to say I'll say what you can say your name and address, and you're at the meeting last night.

Yes, I think.

Um I'm Taylor Gallian, and uh we own the properties of 415 street and a double shotgun or 5421 to 42 more immediately next to Catholic word.

Um skip this part at the meetings um about the room meetings because I'll build to further vote, right?

So I was at the meeting last night.

Uh there's about 50 to 60 people there.

Uh it's uh very thoughtful discussion, and uh there was a planned majority of neighbors that stated their preferences between no change at all and uh date restrictions maintaining work and two use and the restaurant powers pre-vanging.

Um so I was you know, one of the reasons I came down was to see if we could push it to May 12 because we could be a five and so short is just conversations for about that as well.

So thank you.

Anyone else here to speak on this matter?

Move for the borough.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Any discussion?

No, oh right.

Uh yes.

Commissioner Witchery, yes.

Commissioner Jackson means I mean which I heard Josie Gustave for Commissioner Steve.

It's nice to be able to listen to our recommendations, and this is what we wanted.

So we'll see you on page 12.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Um we are moving on to zoning documents 038-26.

Um 028-26 is the request for a conditional and useful permit commercial short term rental and maritime excuse district and logic income zoning district.

The subject property located on the head of the chapter highway above and is currently developed as an elevated standard done in zone.

The proposed commercial short prominent previously licensed and operated for several years.

There are not any proposed changes to the property and legalized the MME respect as an excuse of nature, or residential uses are found close to water-related non-residential uses, such as fishing camps, seafood processing facilities, and moinas.

It is fair to indicate that this commercial prominent is an appropriate within uh use for the district's purpose.

Therefore, staff recommended approval of zoning back zero three-26.

Subject for you to provide those.

Thank you.

I think we have applicant here.

And please come up and talk and state your name and address, and then we're gonna ask you to fill out a card for us to find the settlement.

Okay, and you're gonna have two minutes to talk unless I'm gonna concede their time to you.

Well, I'll then also um my address is two to roaring fork extension, Melvin Burke Tennessee.

And we're here today to answer any questions you might have.

Thank you to staff for all of their work in getting us through this point through the process of trying to get working.

Um this property is to uh give us an amazing place to hang out for probably what will be a couple of months a year, and subsidized a little bit, so we've got muted by retirement years.

That's really the bulk of that.

So if y'all have any questions, I'm more than happy to answer.

It's not everybody's excited here, but are you on the lake Catherine side?

How far from the shelf?

How far from Chef and Tour Pass?

Um about four miles, I think.

Oh it's two miles from the right roots.

Okay.

Okay.

Is there anyone else here to speak on this matter?

Okay, I do have a staff thank you.

I know the staff recommendation is approval with two provisos.

No, I know, I don't know about it.

We have approved some of the SDRs in Lake Catherine, ethically, or is my memory not so correct?

So the staff recommendation has been moved for approval.

You may be thinking there were two out on breakwater drive and municipal harbor, the commission has not acted yet.

Right, okay.

Um, but the staff's position is that in those two, as in with this one, they are outside of the city for designed for uh more recreational type uses and that STR for our those resignations.

Thank you.

I mean, basically, what they do is it says that the first one says that you don't have common providers for RSCR10, you don't get a waiver you have an asked for the waivers have been asked for, and that you have to complete the classes through uh the recording of the next ship.

And there was no opposition.

There's no opposition today.

All right, um, commissioner, do you think?

Is there a second?

Thank you.

All right, any discussion.

If not, let's move forward.

Uh Mr.

Clochet, yes.

Commissioner Winter, yeah, that's Commissioner Jackson.

Yes, but Commissioner Kepper, yes, Commissioner Josie Duca, yes, Commissioner C.

Yes.

Yes, we're inficial around here.

So thank you.

She keeps me first houses next is zoning packet 039-26.

That's it.

Zoning bucket 3926 is a requirement for a plan development to permit the expansion of an indoor inducement facility in an HUMU historic urban neighborhood mixed use district and to rescind an existing conditional use, allowing an indoor amusement facility as this was obtained under the former zoning ordinance, which previously allowed such use such uses only as conditional uses.

The site is currently developed as the broad theater.

The owner is seeking to expand the theater's footprint to add two additional screening rooms.

While indoor amusement facilities are committed by right in the HUE district, this development includes a 6,000 square foot addition to the already existing 10,788 square foot movie theater, which is 7,288 square feet greater than what is allowed.

The planned development process seeks to allow unique exceptions to use and allow and allowances for properties that provide a significant public benefit in order to encourage the preservation of historic properties that maintain the character of the city.

Types of substantial benefits include historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and open space and recreational amenities.

The staff finds of the request design exception, which is to allow the property to be greater than 10,000 square feet in floor area would provide this benefit.

The development is an adaptive reuse of the existing structure that preserves the building and provides space for community to congregate.

The staff finds that the proposed use is consistent with the master plan and meets the standards for approval in Article 4 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance.

Staff recommends approval of zoning back at 3926, subject to two exceptions and five provisos.

Thank you.

Personally, the great place for that area.

The entrance maintenance already provide more than 20 bike spaces.

And the way that this is being built, there's just no room on that new lot to provide any more bike spaces.

And then also where the initiative used bill is being built into the to the lot line.

So while it is evening compliance for stormwater management, um there you cannot um potentially add the through code um possibly leave that permeable space for a firm.

So for the bike space, so the bike spaces uh you have the possibility to add uh keep on the public right away uh as long as folks develop it.

Um that is a possibility it doesn't have to be on the site.

Uh so whether this is about the difference between what's already provided and what's required.

So I think it's just a full that's something that needs a look at a new um and for the uh permeable space or the proviso um is suggesting that some permeable space could be added onto the existing parking lot separate lot of records since the proposal is an expensive existing broad theater and will be essentially saying the office site that um of that variable space could be could be provided.

Um I mean I feel that she's something we have to look at.

I think I don't think they intended to do any renovation on the existing um uh front entrance portion of the theater or the or the existing parking one thousand for instance.

Yes.

Um but that same logic I would take to develop the bike placement of the bike if we have 25 spaces on the other lock.

We're trying to squeeze it with three on a public right away.

It seems like that is um necessary, just to be straight out there.

So if you're using that logic is the same thing, same with the probability, the whole place is a whole lot of the other property with that population.

There was a separate lot because it's a separate law.

And then the reason it's there's different reasons here, it's important to understand, is that there's two different ownerships here.

We're writing for the log right now.

Ryan on the other side that is locked.

So we're on two lots of records.

I mean, I think our position is that the ability to do the plan development is primarily in a building that's going to that if we could use.

So that's lot one and then the extensions on lock too.

We're viewing them as one site.

And so I think you know the staff has the ability to grant variances or exceptions based on either the non-criteria hardship or determination that the exception facilitates the advantage for use.

I think for both of those, we don't find that to be met because the alternative to doing the perfect surface on the original site is to use the expansion to pick up the permeable space there.

Obviously, that affects the program of the space, but there is no part ship that we can identify presented by the site that prevents compliance, or does the adaptive reuse require on compliance?

Or does the adaptive reuse require not compliance?

So that's that's what our position is.

Pretty much uh grabbing.

Yeah, but we were just there and brought the look at it.

We'll have to look at all of our stuff.

Thank you.

Commissioner Deal, any questions?

Tell me a little bit more about the required three additional parking spots.

I was just mentioning that if there is no room to add them on our site, um that bicycle sources in the public lightway, and we provided it, or sidewalk uh subject to approval from the funding works.

And if they weren't to be if they weren't able to obtain approval from the PW, but they should be able to do that.

They should if it was not technically possible for whatever.

Uh we have the module somewhere on the side of the property.

And the number of parking spots is determined by this sort of footage.

Okay.

So we're having 25 bicycle spots currently happy to look at three more 20s on the property.

My only concern would be we're talking about the sidewalk right there because the sidewalk I would I would assume that we might have to concern with the city raw.

And you currently have 20 or 25, I thought 25.

And that's what the report works um reflects.

I thought it was, I thought I read 20.

Oh, that's what you're told us yesterday, but we said nothing.

That's really I think just for clarification purposes.

The existing theater has no bytepass requirements, right?

So the three is an addition to the zero as currently required.

So it's it's not and we may need to rephrase the provides that like by that, but there's less that provides where there's only three six bike type requirement.

Yeah, that's what that's why the provision says legal required and not a specific number.

Um we could show that there's already the parking on the other lot.

So that's okay with the recognition's written?

Yes.

Not as written, well as I didn't want this box that will do upgrade, especially 25.

Is there a motion?

I don't know if anyone here is speaking on this way or I make a motion to um approve this particular matter as written with the provinces.

03926, there's two exceptions and five by service.

Is there a second?

Thank you, Commissioner Hector.

Any questions?

No comments.

Okay, let's go ahead and go.

Commissioner C.

Uh, yes.

Uh Commissioner Josie Dupa.

Yes.

Yes.

Commissioner Kepper.

Yes.

Commissioner Jackson.

Yes.

Commissioner Richard can say yes, and Commissioner Cochet.

Yes.

So now we're going to move to Demi Tactic 426.

And we're gonna have the staff report and then we'll be able to fill out the car.

Um, if you don't mind just grabbing one from the table, and then it's hard.

So I'm gonna talk at CO4CO26.

The applicant holds as well as structural renovations, and while the strike site is in an HUMU that would otherwise allow a commercial short term in the bar right.

This development requires a conditional use as the site is in a citywide transit logic interim zoning district, which allows such uses only as conditional uses.

The staff finds that while the proposed use is consistent with the manager plan, it does meet it does not meet all of the standards for approval in Article 4 of comprehensive zoning orders, nor does it satisfy the approval standards written in the interim zoning district.

Ultimately, if there's a discrepancy between what is currently permitted in zone in this district and the realities of the surrounding language to serve staff recommendation for approval, therefore staff recommends tonight.

Hi, hi say your name address.

Hi, my name is Can you just speak up?

All right, okay.

My name is Debbie Easley, and I live at 1719 Burgendi Street, and I represent 2613 Moray LLC.

We constructed that house in 2017, and it's been an Airbnb ever since, no residential.

It is across the street, directly McDonald's parking lot, drive-through, cars, have this picture from Google Maps, and you hear the intercom, and we've been doing Airbnb since uh and we we changed it to an LLC this year or a couple months ago, and then even though we had our license, they said I had to reapply.

So that's because you just even though it's the same owner, we just changed it to an LLC.

And so now that they'll have a license and it's never been a residential no residents have lived there.

So um I'm just uh asking to continue.

What's the zoning?

Yeah, okay.

I'm saying was there a reason you changed it to an LC?

I'm sorry.

Was there a reason you changed it to an LC?

Um it just for tax reasons, the effort, yeah.

So um, and if he he would not have done it if it if he knew this because he's still the the LLC partnership, you know.

So it's been uh uh a road.

Is is your license expired?

Yeah, it expired, and that's how I found out that expired.

It expired in December, and I've been like doing all the NNP participation meetings for the la getting all the paperwork ready for this meeting today for the last three months.

So we're offline, you know.

So then just regardless of what happens here.

What we have seen, and the planning commission gets referred from the short term rental bureau who issues licenses, and they will refer uh applicants to the planning commission when they think there's a zoning entitlement that's needed.

Um but the fact of the matter is that you have what's considered a zoning non-conformity, which means even though the law now says it requires council approval for the conditional use process, you've got a license and you've been operational within the last six months.

So as long as you're operating or are within six months of operating your you have this non-conforming condition, you can keep alive.

So you know, not our call to make, but I don't I think they probably referred to you in the error, you toss an error because I would imagine that the zoning non-conformity uh still exists, and that change in ownership is not affect the zoning non-conformity.

So all of that is to say like putting the commission's action here to decide you should encourage you to pursue that with the STR Bureau, and I can get in touch with you separately to maybe explain that a little bit better and help some of that.

I just want you to know that that is an option as well.

With a deferral from us, I'm confused.

Yeah, I mean I'm just yeah.

Should we just look at you saying if we have been a mistake?

Yeah, my concern about deferring it is that which is kind of under the ground and the six.

I think we should just approve it.

Yeah, I think I will work on that separately.

Um we're gonna make a motion unless we have any other questions.

I can make a motion.

Thank you.

So against that.

Against recommendations.

And is there a second?

Okay.

Commissioner Jackson has second.

Is there any discussion?

All right, let's vote with Commissioner C.

Uh, Commissioner Dose Gifted.

Commissioner Kepper?

Yes.

Commissioner Jackson.

Commissioner Witcher, yes.

Commissioner, yes.

Now this this is good for you.

We're gonna have um and the staff help you, and we know that this is complicated.

Okay, speaking for you on this, and then I apologize from the city cover that fact is complicated.

Um, but we think this is more of a technical uh error than anything else.

So um we have on against that recommendation and have approved um this for you, and then they're going to talk to you directly about the next steps.

Okay.

Yeah, I need your car, yeah.

I don't know the docket number.

We have a wonderful staff here that's going to help advise you.

Yes, I understand.

All right, let's move on to zoning docket zero four one dash twenty-six.

All right, sorry.

Um zoning docket zero four one-26 is a request initiated by city council motion and dash 26-72, which is a uh condition or rezone undeveloped area along the general department island trackable park from an SRS single candidate residential district to a designation that encourages commercial use and aligns with the neighborhood commercial future land use designation.

The subject property consists of multiple lots under separate ownership, including unopened city rights of way, and has remained undeveloped despite its long-standing residential zone.

It likely gives limited access and its location with an increase in the commercial corridor.

The surrounding area has transitioned over time from under the residential to more of a mixed use pattern that includes commercial language-based and residential designations in response to the future land use map was amended in 2025 to designate the site for mixed use development, rendering the current SRS zoning inconsistent.

While the motion that council provides suggests several commercial districts, staff finds that the SMU suburban neighborhood mixed use district is the most appropriate as it allows for a collective residential and commercial uses and provides flexibility for future development.

The rezoning would allow for the future consolidation of the property included incorporation of the rights of way, and it uh would enable viable development of a long-baked site.

Overall, staff finds that the request meets most approval standards and it's consistent with the master plan and teaching land use map and would support it more functional in the context sense of the development pattern.

Therefore, staff recommends approval of the zoning change.

Thank you.

Shane King No actually the couple now.

All right, so there is city council motion, so there's no one your seats.

All right.

Is this any I mean I realize that you all recommend it?

Anyway I think we've done that before.

I can't I think we've been given like options specific options before.

Um but I can't remember if it's up to the master plan, I feel like nobody can hear uh approval in accordance with staff recommendation to SMU Yes.

Is there a second?

Even though I object to the working.

All right, Commissioner Kepper.

Any discussion?

All right, so let's vote.

Commissioner C'est good.

Yes.

Commissioner Hecker.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

All right.

Moving on to zoning docket 022-26.

Subdivision 2226 is a request to subdivide lots 55 through 62 and to lots 56A, 59A, 61A, and 62A.

The site is located at 16750 Sheffield Highway.

This request requires commission review and then specified under policy B subdivision because the site is over two acres in size.

The subdivision helps facilitate the future sale of the site but the merchant development.

The request is not a passage to the massive plan.

Therefore staff recommends approval subject to one standard provider.

Thank you.

Um I have any cards here to take that second.

So they're not gonna make it.

Alright, so if there's no one here in the speech, we have tentative approval from staff recommendation.

Commissioner Steve for the motion.

Alright, so is there a second?

Second.

Commissioner Cochet seconds any discussion?

No.

No, all right, let's vote.

Commissioner Hoche?

Yes.

Commissioner Whitcher, yes.

Mr.

Jackson, yes.

Commissioner Pepper, yes.

Commissioner Josebuta.

Yes.

Commissioner Steak.

Thank you.

Motion carries.

And I will move on to subdivision docket 025-26.

Subdivision dock is 2526 as a request to reconciliate two existing lots at 2.71 feet of depth to a to the existing lot at 4200 speed in Drog Avenue.

The larger two lots is owned by Walmart real estate business trust.

The smaller is owned by an individual property owner.

The stated reason for this reconfiguration according to your application is to accommodate Walmart's intention to sell a 63 by 2.71 foot section of its property to the small to the smaller property zoner.

The two proposed lots meet the conventional street frontage and other requirements in their respective SRS and C2 zoning district.

The proposal presents no threat or impediment to public health safety or welfare and would be in accordance with all applicable subdivision zoning regulations, and it's also consistent with the master plan.

These lot these conditions will need to be resolved via a minor map adjustment through the state planning commission.

Accordingly, the staff recommends tentative approval of XD 2526, subject to the two provisos listed through the staff report.

Thank you.

Yes, ma'am, good afternoon.

Shane UN 700 canal Willemard typical Louisiana.

Staff did a great job.

Do you all have any questions for the last?

Yes.

Can I just clarify one thing on the um adjustment and the changes to the zoning and the loan?

The minor map adjustment is a process that's administered by the department of sinking in permits.

And it's up to them to determine whether it's appropriate for consideration.

So the alternative to that would be a rezoning.

So I would include that in the motion just as a as a backup.

Um I don't think it'll be needed, but just in case.

And then the PLOM amendment would be subject to the C plan.

So we're all that quick question.

We just want to understand the process for the discretion of the or so the administrative citizens such as all the the minor map adjustment process is an administrative process.

If the director safety permits does not believe that it qualifies for consideration, then the only other alternative would be to rezoning attending to the overheal system.

So you're proposing that if there is a rule that we need to add those two?

Yes.

Which is part of the one of the rooms, right?

I believe it was one.

Was it one of the providers?

Yeah.

Okay, so we don't have to have a well I think to your point.

I don't think that's written in commonplace that I don't think it's on piece.

Right.

So I just want to make sure we got the same.

So go ahead, go ahead.

So one of the motions of these on to do tentative approvals.

But then subject to subject to the rezoning and the minor map adjustment.

Is there a commissioner has a second?

Any discussion?

Commissioner Couchet.

Yes.

Yes.

Commissioner Capers.

Yes.

Commissioner State.

Thanks for coming up to that.

We have a great application.

All right.

We have the cannabis tobacco and study.

We're going to do some care.

Should we go ahead and approve the subdivision radically community?

Do you want to make a agenda?

Are you coming to speak on the on the cannabis?

Not canvas, yeah.

You're good with the study, correct?

Okay.

Um there is the second?

Okay.

All in commissioner C.

Yes.

Commissioner Josie Duca.

Yes, Mr.

Capri, Mr.

Jackson.

Yes.

All right, so we're gonna reorder and we're gonna do the subdivision ratifications so that we can just focus on the study.

Is anyone here to speak on the subject?

I don't think so.

Okay.

Yeah, as usual, this is a list of subdivisions that uh be administered.

Yeah, Commissioner Crush.

Is there an second section?

Make sure you have to meet section.

All in favor, or uh Commissioner Consider Justin give them Commissioner Gas.

Yeah, just okay.

So then the last word is a canvas anyone that we have to say that or not.

If you want to see if we can mark back on purpose for it is okay.

Can you put the lights for the presentation and then we'll try and buy back here?

Like that would be more.

Okay, okay.

Today I'm here with Laura Bryan, Ava Monet, Michael Logan, and Charles Rowe, she presented cannabis tobacco and nickname study.

The study was initiated by Homer former Council Member DeRusso via motion M25470, directing the city planning permission to prepare a comprehensive study to identify the impacts of retail establishments which have cannabis, tobacco, and nicotine products, and to provide recommendations regarding new definitions, use standards, science regulations, use permissions, and density restrictions.

The city has been slow to provide regulatory guidance as new products have emerged and the industry is changed.

In order to create specific use permissions and standards for these types of sales, drafting their own use permissions and new standards is necessary, similar to how the retail sale of packaged alcohol use is written into the zoning ordinance.

Although the New Orleans City Code includes the Smoke Free Air Act, those regulations are not mirrored in the comprehensive zoning ordinance.

The Smoke Free Air Act states new tobacco retailers are prohibited within 300 feet of any school, library, park, child care center, or place of worship.

Despite this being in the city code, the city does not issue its own license for tobacco sales.

Thus, there is no formal process to ensure the city could distance requirements are met.

Moreover, there are no distance requirements from child climbing locations written into either the city code or the comprehensive zoning ordinance for the retail sale of medical marijuana or consumable hemp products.

240 locations that are licensed to sell consumable hemp products, and two licensed medical marijuana retailers with two satellite locations each in the New Orleans area.

Tobacco licenses are issued by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, or ATC.

The license issued by ATC covers all types of tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, couches, vaping, and alternative nicotine products.

Having one definition and license type at the state level prevents the local regulate local regulations from creating distinctions between the different tobacco products.

Additionally, when the state issues their licenses, local regulations are not considered, such as distance requirements and the smoke-free air act.

New definitions and new standards in the comprehensive zoning ordinance for retailers specific to these products would mitigate current and feature negative land use impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and could prevent negative impacts on public health and welfare, particularly for youth.

Okay, regulations and licensing.

Cannabis is the first one we're looking at.

And Louisiana legislature passed the laws that created the current medical marijuana cultivation.

Consumption and sales frameworks allow consumption of medical marijuana for therapeutic purposes statewide.

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners regulates prescribers, and the Louisiana Department of Health oversees the regulation of the state's medical marijuana retailers.

So the cannabis is the medical marijuana.

Consumable hemp.

The state allows the sale of products which contain small amounts of TAC and or CBD to be sold at general retail or statewide, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers, but not gas, not gas stations and bars.

In addition to the consumable, LDH also regulates the packaging of the products to ensure that they are not particularly appealing to children or share the likeness of the candy product that could confuse children, like skills or chips of oil.

The types of THC or CBD is noted on each product's packaging.

Alternative nicotine products.

Alternative nicotine products are defined as getting non-combustible product containing nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether it be chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or ingested by any other means.

Alternative nicotine products are regulated by the Bureau of Alcoholic Tobacco Control with a licensing process that is the same as tobacco products, with one notable exception.

The ACC manages a registry for all vapor and alternative nicotine products, including electric cigarettes that are allowed to be still in the museum, as well as products that are prohibited.

And lastly, tobacco of all the products included in the study.

Tobacco products are most widely used.

They were sold locally at 300, 600 retailers, including gas stations, logs, pharmacy, grocery stores, convenience stores at other locations.

Legislatively, they are commiserate to alternative nicotine products with the exception of the required DAC CD registry.

So just for some examples to put it in, you know, perspective cannabis, like you say, as the medical marijuana.

They can be sold at the pharmacies or the retailers with their previous use.

They come in the form of flowers which are buzz, pre-rolled, vapors, concentrators, tinctures, and accessories.

Consumable hip, products like drinks, the Louie Louis, Crescent 9, they can be gummies, teas, or any other type of adjustable.

Alternative nicotine products, there are lithium alternative nicotine products, they could be a form of nicotine polishes, all e-liquid or vapors, vapor devices, tobacco of the more traditional chewing, uh, smoking budget doing chewing tobacco, which includes cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc.

And these are just some examples that you may have seen on your store shelves, you may have seen them in gas stations, you may have seen in passing, you may have seen it in the case looking for those are just some examples of the products we're going to be discussed today.

As presented in the study categorized types of retailers relevant to the study.

Medical marijuana retailers, also colloquially known as dispensaries.

These retailers are permitted by Louisiana Department of Health to sell medical marijuana for patients with a prescription.

There are two permits issued on this parish.

And these is allowed a satellite location.

Smoke shops are retailers that specialize in victim products and consumable hemp.

This retailer is notable for its intensive use of signage.

Convenience stores will feature tobacco and consumable hemp products as part of a much broader retail strategy.

So these products do not constitute a large portion of their sales.

Additionally, coffee shops, some coffee shops in the cities have been able to secure permits for consumable hemp retail.

This is before HPE 952.

This allowed permit issuance to restaurants or bars.

Typically, these retailers will carry hemp seltzers and is notable for selling hemp products in an LA's environment.

Gas stations typically sell tobacco and nicotine products, notably consumable hemp is disallowed by state legislation at gas stations.

Grocery stores may often carry cigarettes, but now having have now increasingly begun to carry hemp seltzers.

These products are often sold near the alcoholic beverages.

Some bars and restaurants were likewise able to secure consumable hemp retail permits before HB925 went into effect.

And incidental retailers is a term that's that is coined to describe a retailer that does not fall within any of the previous categories.

T-shirt and gift shops, such as those seen in the French quarter qualify as incidental retailer.

And as of 2025, there are 608 active retail tobacco permits in Orleans Parish.

You can see their distribution throughout.

Okay, so the Louisiana Department of Health, or ADH, is the sole regulator of the medical marijuana retailers.

While ADH ensures compliance with state law regarding medical marijuana, it does not enforce or provide licensing for consumer point products, which are issued and overseen under the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control under separate statutes.

State law permits 10 medical marijuana retail licenses statewide, each of which is allowed up to two satellite locations for a total of up to 30 medical marijuana retail locations throughout the Louisiana.

The New Orleans area has two primary retail licenses with two satellite locations each, or six total retail stores in the larger New Orleans area with three located in New Orleans proper.

Retail locations are restricted to five miles between another medical marijuana retailer and a municipality with more than 350,000 people but can be leaved under certain circumstances.

Under local zoning regulations, medicinal marijuana retailers are considered a retail goods establishment.

Retail goods establishments are widely permitted throughout the city, including in residentially zoned areas under certain circumstances.

Retail goods establishments that sell medical marijuana may not operate without proper licensing from the Louisiana Department of Health.

As part of the licensing process, applicants must attest to meeting local zoning and distance rules.

The City of New Orleans does not require a separate local license to sell medical marijuana and local regulations do not contemplate this type of sale.

Currently, recreational marijuana remains illegal under state law.

However, there is a proposed house bill, HB 373 to create pilot program for medicinal marijuana retailers to opt into selling reparational marijuana to qualify customers.

If this bill is passed, it would come into effect on January 1st, 2027.

At the time of the study, the proposed pilot program has not been acted on and is not in effect.

Consumable retailers who sell consumable net products, such as THE THP SELCERS and companies must receive and consumable and retail license under the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.

There are currently over 2,000 such retail locations statewide, including grocery, convenience, and other retail outlets.

There is not a separate zoning use category for the retail sales consumable hemp in New Orleans in the New Orleans Zoning ordinance beyond the underlying and retail goods establishment use.

And the city of New Orleans does not issue local licenses in addition to those required by ATC.

Tobacco and alternative nicotine products are issued by the Louisiana ATT.

Louisiana defines tobacco products broadly so that ATC license covers all types of tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, couches, baking, and alternative nicotine products.

As previously noted, having one definition and license type prevents local regulations from creating distinctions between the different tobacco types.

For example, the city cannot regulate cigarettes and feeds differently.

Similar to the retail sale of consumable hemp and the distinct marijuana, the New Orleans comprehensive zoning ordinance does not explicitly address tobacco.

The city code does briefly address tobacco sale location distance requirement requirements for the Smoke Free Air Act, but because the city does not issue its own license for tobacco sales, the city has limited ability to ensure compliance.

So for best practice, the staff analyzed municipal codes and zoning ordinances from pure cities that have already codified the aforementioned use.

Across the board, it was found consistent trends were found in how cities manage the distribution of these products, particularly the previously defined land use categories and distance-based restrictions designed to protect public health and physically child-friendly uses.

So the first municipality that we use was Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago established one of the more detailed cannabis frameworks, and that the city uses a seven-zone system that controls where recreational dispensaries may be located and prohibits them in the defined downtown exclusion zone.

Retail cannabis uses are limited to commercial districts, while cultivation and processing are restricted to more industrial areas.

For tobacco, Chicago defines retail tobacco stores using an 80% revenue threshold and requires separation distances of 1,000 feet from other tobacco stores and 500 feet from schools.

Key takeaways would include defining multiple cannabis uses and maximum distance requirements.

The second would be Richmond, Virginia.

In 2025, Richmond implemented detailed regulations for retailers that sell tobacco and they contain an alternative nickname products.

Stores meeting a 10% threshold in floor area, display area, signage, inventory, or revenue are classified as retail sales of tobacco tents and must obtain conditional use approval.

These establishments must also maintain 1,000 foot buffers from residential school places of worship and similar sensitive uses.

Richmond's approach indicated added restrictions by way of requiring conditional uses.

Third would be Atlanta, Georgia.

So the state of Georgia does not allow for recreational cannabis and has some exceptions from medicinal marijuana.

However, the latter does not regulate in Atlanta City Code.

In 2025, the city adopted definitions and standards for vape shops, however, distinguishing them from traditional tobacco retailers.

Vape shops are subject to 1,000 foot separation requirements from other vape shops and from schools for child care facilities.

Finally, Nashville, Tennessee, which recently created a new land use category called beer and cigarette markets to regulate stores selling alcohol, nicotine, TVD, THC, and other simple products.

These uses are limited to one per parcel and must be separated from residential areas and child focused uses by at least one feet.

This being the most restrictive of any of the municipality staff research.

National also limits window signage to 25% of the facade and prohibits perimeter lighting to control aesthetics and mitigate visual flutter.

The primary takeaway and a consistent theme across all municipalities reviewed is the importance of creating an adopting standalone land use categories rather than the line of long retail definitions.

This approach allows specific departments to clearly distinguish among different types of cannabis and tobacco retailers and provides greater flexibility when establishing tailored regulatory standards.

Retailers would qualify for specific land use classifications based on sales or floor area thresholds, which allows jurisdictions to determine the appropriate category according to how much of a different product of retailers sells or whether it's primary merchant.

With standardized definitions and land use categories also comes from these implement this distance-based separation standards.

These requirements help municipalities mitigate over concentration and reduce public health impacts by establishing offered between these retailers and child focused or otherwise sensitive areas, including but not limited to play grounds, places of worship, schools, and other residential districts.

In addition, signage regulations incorporate sign regulations into future land use categories would align with practices observed in other cities.

These regulations commonly address window coverage and limit LED or neon signage to reduce visual cloud, maintain neighborhood character, and minimize advertising exposure to those people.

Oh, it's okay, we got it.

Well it may be unfit.

Okay, so this work.

Based on the information, our best practices from other cities and conversations with state builders.

Staff recommends the creation of freedom use sites in the CPF smoke shops, marijuana retailers, and for retail sale of tobacco and nicotine for consumable hemp.

The smoke shops are locations that specialize in the retail tobacco and input products, including alternative nicotine and vapor products, and the sales of periphernalions applies for smoking or adjusting these products.

Marijuana retailers to codify the new use of medicinal marijuana retailers that exist in New Orleans and require their compliance with state regulations.

And the retail sale of tobacco nicotine consumable hemp, and this will be an accessory use to another primary use, such as retail roads establishment operating as a pharmacy or a grocery store.

They could request for retail sale of tobacco nicotine and consumable hemp use in addition to their primary use.

Staff recommends setting the distance restrictions between these two uses and child credits in public places, specifically operating places of worship, schools, daycare, parks, playgrounds, and public libraries.

This could be 300 feet, which is what is required in free air ordinance for tobacco licenses or larger distance if any changes are made to that provision of the city code.

Staff recommends limiting swim shops between each other to 1,000 feet distance, and recommends limiting beyond LED or eliminated signage for such shops.

This is a map showing the child family public places in the city with a 300-foot buffer attached to them.

Okay.

Also recommends standardizing the measurement method for distance requirements for alcohol and tobacco, which differ right now, and establishing a city license for marijuana and tobacco sales and coordinating with ATC and LDH for enforcement and alignment.

Next slide.

This matches resenting districts in red where smoke shops, marijuana retailers, or ancillary sales of tobacco nicotine or consumable hemp could be permitted.

Note that this is illustrated for reference, but should a text amendment be requested by the council staff may make changes to the proposal.

So in the appendix, we included like a proposed uh use chart that would have the permissions for these two uses, but that would be up to the council if they wanted to map forward or up to staff to the staff around the reactor.

So next steps.

Okay.

Uh the process today is a hearing whereby CDC considers the study.

If approved, the study would be transmitted to the city council, and then it would be in the hands of the council to determine if they would like to move forward to make any amendments to the CCO based on the report.

If they would like to make any changes, they would request a text amendment to the CZF by motion, and that request would come back to CPC staff for a formal report, and then to the commission for consideration before going back to the council for final repeal decisions.

And that concludes our presentation.

Was there discussion that's doing the 500 feet?

Yes.

So we are recommending actually that it is expanded from 300 to 500 feet.

However, the smoke-free air act right now is like 300 feet, and we want to ensure consistency between the two regulations about the city says the same thing as the CTO.

And the health department, and DC's here, the health department can speak a little bit more to this.

Um indicated that there probably will be an amendments to the smoke free air act, which they prepose adopted in 2015.

So it's outdated at this point, and um they might make changes to incorporate some of these other uses.

Right now it's really only specific to tobacco.

Um, and so we would want to make sure to work with them to make it make sure that anything that would be put into the zones ordinance we are sat, but we believe from the land use perspective that 500 feet makes sense.

Um it is kind of the average of what we found as a best practice, and the forentropy is small, so you know it's the length of a block essentially.

So this would provide a little bit more buffer.

Um, but ultimately we we just want to make sure that it's consistent with the smoke for AR.

Any other questions about the study or can I explain it really easily?

So on page 34, it mentions um that kind of creamy and city license.

We can't currently do that.

It would require state legislation, which doesn't have a ridiculous.

I just want to make it up.

Yeah, thank you.

Um Ms.

Ellis or Alice, yes.

Yes, hi, I'm Daisy Ellis.

Um, but if you're with the Homeless Health Department, I want to support this study.

Thank you to the CPC team for your work on this.

Um Health Department has a strong interest in being able to regulate tobacco and nicotine use, particularly from zoning.

Um, we know that tobacco and nicotine use is the huge cause of chronic disease for young people in our city.

Nine out of ten daily smokers begin before their age 18.

Um, and the average onset age for the nicotine use here is about 13.

So kids are getting introduced to this very young, and the evidence shows that being exposed to these products like in convenience stores or if at first signage does have a measurable effect on um increasing their likelihood of using these items.

So we are highly in support of creating districts and zones where these items can be sold by review came up.

Um, that youth are accessing them.

We also are in support of the recommendations mentioned on changing distances and on updating the smoke-free air act and the zoning code to match.

Um, I work very closely on enforcing our existing smoke-free air act, which as Rachel said is 10 years old.

Uh, it has some calls with dates and these new products that weren't around when it was created.

Um, and we found that because it's in the municipal code, sometimes it can be hard to kind of enforce evidence a location issue.

It's if it's a weird spot where there's a distance restriction in our municipal code.

So from the health department perspective, um public health burden that we've access to these products and our ability to do our job and enforce where these products can be sold, having this in the zoning code uh and having these recommendations.

And I'm happy to answer any questions about the code's uh role in the tobacco work as well.

Is ZIN is that what's called?

Yes.

That's would be considered under this as well.

Yes.

So currently the smoke for air act doesn't address those, it only addressed traditional tobacco products.

A Zen would be an alternative nicotine product since it still administered nicotine to your body, but it's not like a tobacco leave, and it would be included in these recommendations.

Thank you.

Lots of knowledge here.

I know there's a lot of did you have thoughts on other products besides tobacco that were covered in the study?

Yeah, I think our primary focus in the health department has been on tobacco and nicotine just because we know that long-term smoking and long-term tobacco nicotine use is such a leading cause of health issues in our city.

Um, in terms of cannabis, smoking of any type is disparaged by the health department.

So we would like to regulate that as well.

We do agree with reducing exposure to these products as well.

I would be very happy to see the cannabis products also um taken further away from schools and unit-oriented facilities.

I don't think there is currently as much research out about like long-term health impacts of the cannabis drinks and things like that, but it is still like an addictive substance and behavioral health issues.

So from our perspective, as much as we can zone these two adults only areas and make sure that the city isn't really oversaturated.

That would be the best.

Yes.

Yeah, 10,000.

We have an opportunity here to be in line to the state too.

So yeah, I mean from health perspective, like the more distance, the better.

We want to be cognizant of our business partners and industry in the city and be realistic about like economic impacts on this, but from the public health perspective, like if we could zone everything to be like half a mile away from each other, we sort of decide if we could take tobacco, you know, a thousand people that just think about the one at Carroll that's right by the library.

I don't know what existence is there, and that's the only one that I think the digital speaker.

Yeah, right.

Yeah, and so um that was it so no severity to the establishment, and so when it came in for our experiment, and it received up its establishment permit, and the state doesn't well one, there's not nothing in our city code that addresses medicinal marijuana distance um from those child funding locations.

Um and the state doesn't look into anything, and so there was nothing written at that time to prevent it from being in that location.

Has that issue with being stories right now to this one three air acting as a tobacco sales within 300 feet, which as you just said it's very very close um to schools, but it's only tobacco sales.

So sometimes we had businesses open, they say they won't sell tobacco, they get uh communication license, and then they start selling vapes or then for all this other stuff, and they have the state license, and we kind of have our hands ties and they weren't having some code now that would allow all the um those items.

Thank you.

I don't have anyone here in support outside that I have informational only on the weld.

Um say your name and address these.

I'm the regional manager for the um we can account for tobacco for living.

So I would really only be speaking as it regards to tobacco product, victim product, and cross uh cross cross cross product, you know, with uh as they as they cross um into other products that you might want to usually and uh basically.

Um I'm the uh regional manager for moment for TFL, we have uh we have something like the living.

And we were created by state law to advised and um do research related to tobacco control and best practices within um tobacco uh related to needed, particularly if they go to the back of the cancer.

We work very closely on uh also uh work for the regional um public health institute and the campus research center in that central different piece of tobacco.

Um I would commend the staff, and you're staff on better than how much there is one of the gotten all of the features that should be there.

Umfortunately, we can't comment on the recommendation until the technology become part of the recommendation by the council to the BBO or you know, you're on the next deck.

Um we have done we looked at all of the uh factory completion why the part of our mandate but which DC and other what other jurisdictions are doing in terms of tobacco control.

And this is really the how cities participate municipality, which they like to reading what we call cancer alley, which is where a lot of the states still have different or not statewide tobacco co-regulation, but it tended to devolve down to the parish and the city.

So I commend the health department or what they've done.

We were very um uh we work very closely with them.

We were part of the um uh one of the organizations that got the smoke free air act passed ten years ago.

And we're very proud of that.

In fact, one of the things that we talked about with the smoke free air act is it went directly to five protect reduction from lung cancer kind of two and a half perfect reduction, all other cancer tobacco-related cancer during that.

So that is your time unless you all have other staff to share all those stats.

Yeah, and so basically I'm here to kind of help you all answer any questions you may have, or you know, like um that that, like I said, an outstanding study because it follows the best practices that we see in other areas.

We work with Nashville on developing their and one of the way we have to tie it with Nashville, is the way that the musicians were tied into the uh fishman free air.

And so we worked with them uh very closely over the years, and and this is one of what the what we're seeing as the staff rightly pointed out in the study, these these tobacco products and all kinds of mixing products and crop cross product have happened so quickly.

And we're working with the the health department to try to keep up with okay.

So, what can we do as the law department points out, because the state had a certain level of jurisdiction we call it prediction.

And so then as a municipality, what can we do within that within that jurisdiction to do that?

What we're finding is we're finding them in distance and retail, retail um licensure changes.

But as the report lightly pointed out, because the ATC only had one bicycle, these huge loophole um that need to be uh a draft three definitions and other um things, largely to address the huge basic epidemic that was changed, but also other to uh kind of nicotine products, one of the largest games in nicotine are the uh tobacco powder and and the non-tobacco, and we call synthetic nicotine product, but then don't even have tobacco flavors and everything else.

So this is where we are, and if you don't need any additional information, we're here to help, um, and we will support the health funds.

I have to is the do you find that there's anything missing from this study that would need remains into consideration before we transmit it to the consultant?

Yeah, that's a good question.

The things that the study um, and I've read it, but again, we haven't had a chance to completely go down step by step in there.

I think that one thing the study um it kind of inferred all the way through, but looking at flavor, because that if you if you really, and because you have the distancing requirement, the distancing requirements are generally directed at you.

Okay, and so flavors, and it kind of depends on how you define what those flavors are and what product they are found in.

For example, if the definitions are written in such a way that it isolate the vacant product, and you know, you can write it instead of being alternative alternative product, however, you wanted to do it, then those flavor product was covered by changes in the retail distance in the product, or the change to acquire vaping shops that that's where they can be sold and not at your corner retail stores at your personal stores and stuff.

Those would be reverse for traditional tobacco products.

As we've discussed with the health department, that is a big step forward.

And it is a way that generally the state like to say that they are the only ones that control use, because uh the city is prohibited from doing something like other cities have done and ban what we call flight, right?

And the way that the only exception to that flavor, it's unfortunate would be um menthol uh menthol flavor cigarettes because they are the traditional tobacco products, but the they're the only traditional tobacco product that's still there.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Yeah, we do have two.

And some available for questions about my position, so thank you.

Thank you.

We have two parts in opposition, Susan Johnson and Ryan Gomain.

Okay, Susan Johnson 2822 with H Street, town of Carolson Wash, historically on the same list, I'm not P T B here.

The reason I'm involved with the cannabis business at all.

I mean, cannabis issue is uh, and that's my focus here rather than smoking uh nicotine is that uh no cannabis is purely a zoning question.

Nova cannabis purchase an older eye clinic next to Lake's library, which you know that's that's my old, that's my hometown neighborhood.

And within a thousand feet, two thousand feet of churches, schools, um, and right around um right in the vicinity of um residences.

So the sale of cannabis, as we've discovered, we didn't need a pilot program to figure it out, is a uh a transformational experience in uh in uh the historic neighborhoods in any neighborhood.

I I think that's not commercial, and and from my point of view, and Mr.

Bain was going to be able to provide a little texture on what it's like to live next door to one of these places, marijuana retailer, is that they should really strictly be in commercial zoning, uh strictly commercial, not HB1, but commercial.

And in fact, this is the only retailer.

There are just 29 out of a possible 30 in the cross state, as you might know.

Um 1407 South Carrollton is the only uh the only retailer that's that's um that's near um that's near residences.

And uh just one thing I wanted to point out if you'll allow me is uh the question is was the federal status of cannabis ever mentioned in the project because um it's still a schedule one controlled substance.

And back in 1970, when that act was passed, uh POP was a lot weaker than it is now.

I mean just another point is that uh prescription is not the right term, that's a federal term, and recommendation is used instead as a state term.

So otherwise hours were uh those hours are excessive, and I'm sure that's that'll be part of this big presentation, and I won't take up any more of your time.

Cannabis should not be sold around in residential areas.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That was it.

Thank you.

Um my name is Ryan Bain, uh 809 Millow Street, so I live adjacent to the parking lot of the 1407 Clayborn, or sorry, Carrollton uh cannabis.

There are about five or six residential lots that directly property, um, mostly backyards, but two I and another one with our directly um side of our lots directly above it.

The other neighbor, of course, is the next library.

Um I'm not in I think my recommendations admirable.

I just think that they need to be increased.

The distancing, I support what Susan said about having it not in front blanket by right in H U V1 zoning, it should be commercial zones, or at least not near residential uh properties because there are some HUV1s that are just commercial like Oak Street or something like that, but there are no residential lots.

Um the hours I also support uh I also would recommend are most of what they have uh been laid out here.

Um currently they're nine to nine at 1407, very loud at night.

I have two kids, three and six, and um that's bedtime, that is car lights, that's music, that's people talking, that's people smoking.

Um we've also had a lot of clean air act.

Um I can smell pot in my house every day.

Uh my kids can have to go outside or go outside in our backyard, which is one of the reasons we bought the house.

And there are uh you can smell pot in the yard, we're not free from that, nor are the other neighbors.

There's trash, there's noise, there's loitering consumption, both by uh customers and I would say even more so by the employees, right?

And there is zero enforcement cannabis for any of these things, and it's hard for me to understand why we're doing the study after these things have been permitted.

Um the way that they were permitted is was very much not the proper vote, and it is not a retail business establishment, so I'm opposed to that designation as well.

They also violated the square footage for um the non conditional permit process, but that's another issue.

And so I think all these things need to be taken into account in these studies.

When you bought the house, this is not legal in the state of Louisiana.

There's very much chance more in our neighborhood.

And like I said, there are five or six people directly um uh attaches.

I wrote a letter that every single person in the square block of uh bounded by Carleton Willow Jeanette and short sign proposing uh and confirming all the issues we have with and with the staff and with the customers, um everyone in our neighborhood in the neighborhood that's been affected by it is opposed to this again, not opposed to necessarily to the seller cannabis.

Um this is the only one in the residential neighborhood, and um the city of New Orleans, I think really um uh I think screwed up by not seeing this on the horizon when it was uh legalized at the state level and knowing that this is what could happen.

And since this this is very admirable, but um since it grandfathers in existing establishments, it has no teeth or something like 1407, so I think that also needs to be reconsidered.

Um that is uh a real issue for me.

I have a question.

Would you start would you mind putting the next steps slide up?

Thank you for for your comments.

So as you know, we're voting to date as to whether or not to transmit the study to the city council to take further action.

Um what would you wish to see?

Why are you opposing this specifically?

What do you want to see in the study before you would just level to move on?

So in my from my perspective, I think that's not likely to improve our situation no matter what changes in sense that if you are grandfathering and establishments, I'd rather like to see that removed if um if possible, of course.

I think that's a long shot.

Um I would also I would like the hours to be recommendations at the very least to be changed.

Um that would be something that would give us some a document to refer to, some kind of leverage to at least improve the situation in our neighborhood apparently.

So the recommended hours were something like 10-5, 9-5, something like that, but at least prevent um voyaging around neighborhoods is much harder to control those things after the start, right?

And people have problems to sat on our porch and smoke pot, they walk by, they litter, they've I've seen people smoke employees smoking joints in front of my house when I'm getting my three-year-old out of the car.

Um that's if you know the neighborhood, that's not the kind of neighborhood it was, and um so if we had something like a reduction in hours of something we can point to, even if ours uh local shop is grandfathered in and say in our conversations with them, they haven't been particularly played all of us so much, but that would be something at least we could point to.

These are the recommendations.

This is what has been um the city of New Orleans is asking for any new businesses, and then what we need businesses, right?

There's only 30 possible states, so um, these recommendations are all on Bitfight.

You paid shop for a cannabis store, they are they might probably do change the landscape at all.

But but if you do those things, it's something we can at least point to.

Um they can't do the shots up here and distance there in the state.

There's three in New Orleans proper and sites like in the area, and so the way that the regulations work is that you can have um one we can have ten total in the state of Louisiana, but each one can have two satellite locations.

So we have a total of 30, and they're supposed to be um distance to at least five miles from one another, but there are exceptions to that, which is why there are some in New Orleans that are closer than that five-mile distance.

Is there um the end of those delete the more important ones that's like the SCRES where you can pull that and some of the right pollution, for example?

Are you asking for the cannabis or for the cannabis distance?

Well, there's a mat on the method, but something that's orange like is there's you're talking about the grandfathering?

Yeah.

Yeah, so it's the same issue is with the short-term renounces.

They have vested as a land use, which runs with the land.

Um so the city is not able to apply any new law retroactively.

But can we do something where the land is taken out of the residential land bases?

And then what it would do is it's in the sense that loss of something else in the pieces.

It would turn it into an unconforming use.

Correct.

So it would be a little less of a right, but still a vested right as long as they operate and they can continue with there's some team who having a distance, you know, going the thousand square feet, and then only making the commercial circles.

There's some deep who having a distance, you know, going the thousand square feet, and then only making the commercial purpose.

So yeah, the recommendation is that it's a thousand feet from smoke shops.

So smoke shops are one the recognition said that there would be the one thousand foot distance from each other each other, thank you.

Um and then the other recommendation is that it would be the 500 foot distance from any child friendly locations in addition to that for both for smoke shops, um as marijuana, um consumable hand, etc.

What about hours?

Um we had some hours that we have put in as like some placeholders, but we can flesh that out into the text amendment portion um for medical or for medical marijuana and for smoke shops.

Um the retail sale of the others would be kind of dictated by the primary use.

Um we could put use standards in specifically for medical marijuana and smoke shops, which when you go back to the slide that shows the uses in the use of sorry, the shops that you were creating different destinations is no smoke shop is what in their one is telling things in retail still.

The smoke shop would be a combination of tobacco and using a wall of hemp, and it would be dictated by the square footage of that product sale in the store, so that something that is like um walk greens would not fall into a smoke shop category, but something that is like uh true smoke shop would fall into that category.

So this is something that we talked about with zoning and safety informants about how they regulate these types of things, and they said um they regulate by square footage of like product space.

And so that's how you were defining it, and then marijuana marijuana retailer is the municipal marijuana, and then retail sale of tobacco and a cutine consumer is it any sort of wishes to sell those products?

So the only place to buy leaf marijuana is at a marijuana retailer, which is a medical use.

Right.

So that would be the the what would address your hours.

So can you so I I think it would be a good idea to have ours for that particular use.

Because he's you know, somebody walking into the convenience store and buying a tin that has some gummies in it.

I don't think is creating the kind of hassle that hazard he's talking about.

Yeah, in the appendix, we have some you know, placeholders were including what would be you know, hours of operation.

It sounds like we'll probably amend those, or we could amend those, and very likely they would be amended as part of the text amendment.

And when you say details sales of that, the liquidity consumable to him and gummies and whatever else.

Is that the one that you would sell in future shops?

Yeah.

Well, not just t-shirt shops, that would be a secondary commitment wrong.

It would be like a secondary use of evolving or something like that, right?

So that we would have a way to determine the distance requirements, so we would be able to ensure that um that these differences of all rings or CBS or whatever that they're adhering to uses is requiring that's why that's secondary um usage category was being.

Exactly.

So the use permissions would be as a basically as where that's what we're looking at because of the kind of control of those types of.

Yeah, and you know, and a lot of the issues that also from the retail sale of alcohol is pretty similar to what you're saying, where it has it's more to do with like the operator and the operation of the business, unless it's you both can use.

Um, and so we can do what we can to address it, so it ultimately comes down a lot to the operation of the business.

Because it sounds like you have an enforcement issue as well.

We do, I mean, I think this business that I've spoken to scale many times, um, there's not is you know not been going to concede anything to the neighborhood.

None of their other shops are anywhere near residentials that are on strict malls or like the wine chocolate tools.

Um and so you know, they they just don't even consider these issues, and this was something again, of course.

The city should have planned ahead before this happened and should have zoned accordingly and put that into the coast.

I think that also is a real opportunity before recreational use is permitted just to do the same thing that the New Orleans needs to get ahead of this that's what's on the horizon.

Um because that would not be automatic necessarily just locations.

There's something that you could do about preventing recreational use from happening in that place.

But yes, there is enforcement at our at the neighborhood's insistance, they have now have security guards sometimes in the parking lot.

But if there is very little enforcement of actual particularly in the stores of like 24 year olds, we smoke and there's very little employees there is very little oversight and so that we've actually had the biggest some of the main problems with employees themselves.

And we're poking holes in this, but this is a great study I want to just thank you for doing this.

Compared to the other cities, or what are the benchmarks based on the study the cities that you studied for buffers in between establishments but from schools with runs, etc.

And what is the benchmark for open hours?

Yeah, in regards to buffers, I think that you'll find it uh sort of the following best practices in the study is that a thousand feet was sort of benchmark.

So I mean we the the scale between them, you know, like I said earlier, Nashville is like a hundred feet for there, which is extremely you know can't do anything with that.

So um but a thousand feet was sort of that comfortable area where most of these establishments in these other cities were sort of placing it.

I I can't really speak to the hours of operation because most of them from what I would gather probably fall under the same sort of retail categories that you would see that we kind of have included here.

Um I see an appendix B, isn't it in the study?

The new standards is it's a recommendation the offers that you listed.

Yeah, there's yes, it's just a recommendation.

We actually talked a lot about that in the food tax.

We didn't want to get anybody like confused about what results and everything proposed, but it's just a there's a it's an idea, it's a recommendation.

I think you can expect that to be tweaked.

I think you could expect the zoning use permissions to be tweaked slightly.

Um other things when it comes to account protects that and also and I might understand that we sort of conceded to the 500 foot buffer simply because the aligns with state law is that we think our current ordinance well there was a so there was a lot of conversation about that.

Um we were we wanted to go with uh 500 feet initially, but 300 is in the clean air act, and we didn't want to dispare the zoning ordinance of clean air.

What would happen if there was it would be very difficult to have you know what to enforce?

Um but our recommendation is 500 feet with the expectation that the smoke free air act will also be amended.

Um like Daisy said they're working to amend it right now, it's 10 years old, so they need to add other types of products in it, and they're looking to expand the distance from 300 to at least 500, if not more.

And so um our recommendation is 500, but with the caveat that we want to ensure consistency between the smoke free Air Act and whatever is ultimately adopted in the setting ordinance.

So if and when the the clean air act is amended, let's say it's one to a thousand feet and all future all future permissions in the city would also be one thousand feet.

Um so if there's a I actually I'm not sure if there's a discrepancy, how that would like we would enforce the zoning division would enforce that whatever is in our zoning ordinance, but if there's an issue with the discrepancy, I'm actually not sure how that would work.

Could it put a trigger like a trigger it to log shots?

You could you could put something that said uh if the smoke-free air act increases the distance, then that'll be increased to this the site you could have.

But I don't I don't understand why those two should be and the smoke-free act is like a personal walk and that's what I have a lot of yeah, I think they can maybe speak to this.

So the smoke free air act, the majority of the act concerns indoor smoking only it prohibited indoor smoking in part of the space public cases.

There's just a small clause in it that says distances that mentions this 300 feet away.

Um but that's how we've been enforcing all topic sales issues.

So it's health preference that this is kind of moved into the zoning code and fleshed out, and we are currently working on amending the smoke free act to make it match.

So we like in the land be a thousand feet and then the smoke freedom aims to do it.

That would be great.

Yeah, yeah.

So we uh make more because then we want to be following up, you know, like where the motions in the lands tried some other policies in the past to get flavors removed out of gas stations to get things away from schools using the Unicode and we've run into like some preemption issues and some issues about whether the municipal code is the right place to do that.

So that's kind of how health came around to hoping tobacco nicotine to be included in this study.

So I think having this study done and having those recommendations would also help help us be able to advance some of these goals too.

So we need super good with a thousand or high-five children.

I will say this.

I was the long concern expressor and setting something 500 and thousand to me.

I I do feel like when you start setting a thousand feet away from these uses, you will end up with a map that has these uses in certain neighborhoods alone.

Because A, they already exist.

Um there's already um existing licenses, but when you set up a thousand feet, there's certain places that are less invested in with parks, they're less invested in with schools, and so when you set a thousand feet certain neighborhoods that will preclude certain neighborhoods from having these uses, and neighborhoods that have less investment in them will be the places that this is possible in.

And you don't want to map that reflects that.

That's that was my concern.

That's a that's a great point.

But what what's the the converse?

Yeah, um, so I think we haven't quite found like a sweet spot of exactly how that would look.

That's why I think there might be some changes that would come around with the text amendment.

I think we're all a little worried about like where the allowances are showing up on the map and how we could correct that.

I don't know the answer yet.

I mean, you might have to have different buffer distances based on certain zoning types or other types of uses.

One thing that you just brought up, which I don't think we had included with like Chicago did, was to include like residential zoning within that buffer distance.

So if there is some of the issues that you can just raise a really great points, yeah.

From my perspective, my house is a free child friendly space.

Yeah, you know that schools, churches, residential neighborhoods, like a residential and residential thousand systems.

Then you're not putting a burden on a residential neighborhood to have the smoke shop in there.

Yeah, then you are then pushing these two commercial places where they should be.

And I'll say this as well.

It took us a long time to like wrap our heads around this because we said smoke shops, but you have to remember the state will not let us differentiate between smoke shops and tobacco.

That's why you know, when we were saying we don't we wanted to do something to preclude the prevalence of these smoke shops, our hands were caught in tie because we can't separate that from tobacco sales.

But we can't just we can't we can't separate tobacco from like alternative products.

So it sounds like with making a potential recommendation moving forward the issues, ours and buffers.

Yeah, ours and buffers we do zoning districts.

Um we have precedent for certain uses for being a certain location from residential districts, um, I think reception facilities.

And is it 200 feet?

Because you have to remember that the zoning districts by one another.

So if there if there's like a corridor um that is you know AGB1, it would like a 200 to a distance would eliminate basically that whole corridor because they would all be adjacent to the residential zoning district behind it.

If that makes sense.

So can we add considerations?

But and the reason I'm saying that, sorry, is just because uh I I think it would really limit if we go to a thousand feet from residential uh districts, it would really limit the possibility of like any of these uses.

We'd have to map it.

We can do even more.

Buffers apply to the uh last category, just the general detail.

Yes, and that's why that category is created basically to make sure that there is a distance from the child-friendly locations.

But what about between each other?

Oh, not between each other, the only one that has and we didn't include it from a medical marijuana because there's the five-mile regulations in the state.

So out of the items that we've discussed in what would what changes would you make to your state?

The hours of operation.

Um a distance requirement from residentially zoned areas.

Um looking into adding the trigger to say if the laws in the clean in the smoke-free air act change the the the hour recommendations are changed with that.

Yeah, it sounds like maybe from a DC saying that cars might come first and then be mirrored and thinking we can also go work with however the right way to proceed is.

We're trying to give Daisy some teeth to be able to go there.

Yeah, to be able to say.

Um, there's a provision in the CCO that allows for the stricter um regulation.

Yeah.

Okay, so if there's a conflict if I don't think unless there's unless unless it specifies otherwise, okay.

So if you had a 300 or 500 to 500, but for the zoning enforcer.

Okay, we do this always in flow zones too.

So okay, so our operation distance from residentially zoned areas what what else are we talking about buffers between playgrounds, etc.

as well?

We can talk about that, yeah.

That's what considering 300 or 500, I would like to plan on 500 for sure.

I would say thousand.

I would say also say a thousand.

If you look at a lab with allowable license, it would be I mean, basically it would be these.

You know, maybe some places on the safe more fast.

But that just in historic districts with them extreme maps.

Um, but um, we can sort of see the maps.

We have 300, 500, and a thousand different uh buffer.

And appends.

Yeah.

Appendix Corty two.

What about just the regular regulatory resource to do a thousand?

In which district the 20 historic neighborhoods.

Well, no, that's what we were saying.

If you map it, if you say it's going to be a thousand feet, that would that would by default eliminate those districts.

But she's just within those districts.

But I'm saying it would eliminate if you did it city wide, it would eliminate those districts by default.

It wouldn't, the only place if you extended it to a thousand feet where you would have just a bottom for the most part, where you would have the allowability from the licenses would be the east.

So if you and maybe some parts of the west range.

If you condensed it to 500 feet, and then I also brought up the point, that's gonna create a huge disparity.

I know this is something a different subject, but that'll create a very, you know, having a small disparity between the buffer of alcohol uses in children use in child free uses, which is right now from our 300 feet, to have that at 300 feet, and then to have tobacco, the buffer between tobacco and that at 500 feet, that's one thing.

But to have that at 300 feet, and then to have the back to the um the buffer with tobacco at a thousand feet.

That's a 700-foot difference and what what's the what's the logic behind that?

You know, to say that alcohol tobacco has to be 700 feet further away from child friendly uses as opposed to alcohol.

What's what's what would be the logic behind it?

I really appreciate your very analytical approach to this.

I think the logic behind it is that we have an opportunity to change the uses.

Do we want any uses constantly looking at safety and quality of life?

And the world's changed so much since this happened in 2015, right?

There's a lot of diagonal because I agree, but I also think the kind of social justice perspective here about creating these high concentrated communities in in in the east or parts of the West Bank is also a big concern to me as well.

looking at safety quality of life and the world's changed so much since this happened in 2015 right there's a lot of that be my guys well I agree but I also the the kind of social justice perspective here about creating these high concentrated communities in in in the east or parts of the West bank is also a big concern to me as well to me I mean I think that's the overall reduction of adding L sort of you know is such a problem with too many alcohols you know so I'll be on shorter products but like will you plan on Jenna because they're doing all this button products you know it's too much access y'all feel comfortable with 500 I mean producer study we're then having great conversations as to what we want you to five I don't know what 500 it's what's the difference between increasing what's already exist and not going you know so quite what you made that's a to me that's a a fair you know we're making improvement but we're also not making it we're not you know I don't want to say we're not we're not making it where you can't do this anywhere maybe with the the subject to the version that's we're subject to the the cleaner act triggering any changes yeah but you can all the different competing factors 500 I say a thousand but I'd be weight just enough but I feel like everybody else I y'all have the ice race in here about we find out in health is if we're recommending to council a higher number with the understanding that people were closing not the down that might help us end up at 500 which I agree if we don't want these always disparate across neighborhoods.

I know when we have a bunch council prior proposals there is concern about businesses about people having their sales and about this many all those competing desires obviously we want these products out and maybe can't do that.

Can I make that sweet um can we say 500 for the range of 500 to a thousand yes um caveat that um special attention needs to be made with respect to um the impact on um you know environmental justice issues um and you know making sure that neighbors certain neighborhoods are not um disproportionately impacted by um the resulting numbers i will say that um and i don't want to discount anything that David said one of the things we talked about is is that it points out an underlying issue with how our land use because it's you know the the fact that you can have impact in some areas and not others is because of the underlying zoning um and I and I think that's kind of the bigger picture here that we may want to circle back on and if we could have recommended a distance requirement and change for alcohol we would have so there it was consistency but it's out of the scope of this I think unfortunately so I think we're ready to make that emotion based on those changes I'm happy to make them if you can help me but there's also this one more question like did y'all think about limiting the number of markets sorry I didn't hear you it is limiting the number of elements we're not talking about that no like again this is our SDR yeah one per block and one this like I guess one per block is one way I don't think that's a good that's like a one note so if you have one and you have your little radius.

One per square that radius and one square so the the distance the distance is measured by radius though so it's like I I think unless I want her block this in one of the block or radius 300 foot radius of whatever radius we decide.

I do take that's the fair I mean the one per block is is a challenge but I agree I would be dealing with quite as many for class you could also get them clustered on the corners and then up with four right next to each other.

And are you referring to smoke shops retail establishments because dispensaries already have to look like smoke shops.

Are we ready?

We are ready.

Okay, move to a adoption of the study.

Subject to uh considering a five hundred to one thousand foot buffer zone.

As well as I want to say this maybe looking at other benchmarks um opening hours across our two cities, right?

Was there anything else?

But then look at what that looks like.

And in proximity to residential districts, yes.

Wait, do we have one more?

We're looking at the environmental racism.

And then environmental justice issue.

Was there anything else?

Yeah, that's more so.

Is there a second?

Commissioner Jackson second.

Any discussion?

All right.

Um Commissioner C.

Yes.

Commissioner Joseph, yes, Mr.

Kepper, Jackson.

Yes.

Commissioner Pouche, yes.

Um, I think just that's a good idea.

All right, we should be in a second.

So that's how we try to do that.

This is our new commission.