25:57 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's city planning commission meeting.
26:02 I'm going to go ahead and take roll.
26:04 Commissioner Kepper.
26:08 Commissioner Poche.
26:11 Commissioner Abear.
26:13 Commissioner Josie Gupta.
26:16 Commissioner Whitries here.
26:19 Commissioner Jordan.
26:21 Commissioner Steve.
26:25 Well, for the most part, so we have a quorum.
26:27 We're going to go ahead and get started.
26:30 We are going to read the rules that Commissioner Steag is in the process of updating.
26:38 All right, red line.
26:39 Stay tuned for our new rules.
26:42 The formal public hearing rules.
26:50 Before speaking, each person shall give their name, address, and state her whom he or she is representing.
27:04 Opponents or other interested parties will speak for a period of fifteen minutes.
27:08 Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of two minutes.
27:12 Proponents will be allowed a period of six minutes for rebuttal.
27:15 Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of two minutes.
27:18 Opponents will not be allowed to rebut.
27:21 No material written matter, photographs, maps will be accepted by the commission or its staff at any time during this public meeting.
27:29 This procedure shall be followed except at such time when the preceding officer shall and with the approval commission members present extend such time.
27:38 We have called roll call.
27:40 We can go ahead and move to the adoption of the meeting minutes from June 9th, 2026.
27:46 Those are not ready yet, so those should be deferred.
27:50 Alright, let's move on to docket item 047 26.
27:57 So this item is a proposal by city council motion for a change to the billboard regulations.
28:07 Um it's motivated by two billboards really.
28:11 One is uh on Interstate 10 uh and in mid-city, kind of where mid-city backs up to I-10.
28:20 There's a billboard there that is digital.
28:23 Um neighbors have complained that the digital billboard is shining into the residential neighborhood that abuts uh the interstate, and have uh gone to their council members um seeking a method of of sort of reducing the illumination coming off of that billboard.
28:46 And so the council members have worked with the billboard owner to essentially swap the digital billboard at that location on Dehem Court by 10 for another billboard on top of the Hilton Riverside at 100 poydres.
29:03 Um, so the the proposal that has uh been facilitated by the council would uh essentially move the digital billboard from one location to another.
29:14 Um the problem that exists with this is that there's not a set of zoning regulations that allow for it.
29:21 Um the the zoning regulations do allow for billboard swaps, but it's kind of in the context of if I'm a billboard company that has five billboards, I can take down these four billboards and uh and then digitize this fifth one, which has to be kind of a one of a pre-identified list of billboards that does not include this site.
29:46 And so the you know, the one the reason this one is challenging is it doesn't fit directly into that sort of point-based uh administrative trade-off system, but it does make sense if you look at the underlying intent of the regulations to get billboards out of residential areas and put them into purely commercial areas, and that the billboard, although it's near I-10, which is generally a good place for a billboard, is shining on a residential neighborhood, and the billboard would be moved to this location in the part of the CG that is purely commercial and therefore relatively well situated for a billboard.
30:28 And so at the staff level, we've proposed a series of regulations that, in addition to the existing billboard swap structure, allows the council to identify locations that because of unique conditions around their location circumstances uh surrounding land uses are uniquely well suited to receive a billboard that that might exist elsewhere.
30:54 Um, and so it you know, because the current system doesn't allow for sort of a legislative judgment call as to what are appropriate locations outside of the point-based system.
31:06 This really allows the legislature to say, you know what, you know, looking at the very specific circumstances of this, this makes sense.
31:15 And so we create a set of regulations that are a little bit based on the classic sign regulations that allow for classic signs to be identified through a text amendment process.
31:26 Similarly, sites that are well suited for a billboard conversion could be identified through a text amendment process as well.
31:34 And so, you know, that's kind of a long preamble, but the gist of it is that we're looking to the intent of the regulations that exist today and creating a process that is based in that intent, but also acknowledges that um sometimes there is a little bit of discretion or policy judgment needed at the legislative level to identify sites that are good for receiving uh billboard digitalization.
32:00 So anyway, uh the staff recommends approval, the specific language is on the screen and in your reports, and uh let me know if you have any questions.
32:10 That was beautiful, uh Mr.
32:13 Thank you for such a wonderful explanation and a um potential solution here.
32:19 I would like the record to um note that Commissioner Steag has refused himself from this docket item.
32:27 Richard Cortez um Cortias I'm here to speak.
32:31 Um I believe in support.
32:34 Richard Cortez is 201 St.
32:36 Charles Avenue uh 70170.
32:41 Kroll's wonderful explanation, um, spares me having to go through the history and the intent of this amendment, but uh we're in support of it.
32:50 We think it's a really good uh solution and compromise.
32:54 I think the neighbors in mid-city are very happy with this.
32:56 Actually, they've posted social media that they're very happy with this, but I just want on the record that the billboard in mid-city is uh properly permitted, appropriate, and allowed.
33:07 However, in the spirit of great compromise uh and just goodwill, our client decided that look, let's work with the client and let's place it in a more appropriate location, and that's the intent here.
33:20 And of course, there's additional guardrails that we're we're fine with that have been added to the motion.
33:27 So happy to answer any questions, if there are any.
33:31 Is there anyone else here to speak on this matter?
33:35 Commissioners, and the recommendation by staff is modified approval.
33:40 So I'm looking for a motion unless you have additional questions or comments.
33:44 I do have a question.
33:45 Yes, Commissioner Pochet.
33:46 If this text amendment isn't ultimately approved, does the the negotiated deal with the billboard owner fall through?
33:57 It does not fall through.
33:59 The this set of regulations is uh to create a pathway for that deal to exist.
34:06 Um so what it does is proposes the process by which billboards can be designated as additional receiving zones that are not already articulated in the zoning ordinance, and it specifies that this receiving zone for this particular swap, which is 100 poidras, is an authorized receiving zone.
34:26 So it does it essentially creates the regulation and then uses the regulation all in one text amendment.
34:39 I think to your question, I think your question was if this doesn't get approved, um I think Mr.
34:46 Cortiz's would probably be best to answer that.
34:49 But um there is a private agreement, and that's not something that involves the city.
34:54 This is just facilitating that agreement from happening.
34:59 Yes, um, so this is an agreement that we um came up with the neighborhood and the neighbors for relocating this digital billboard to Porter's.
35:14 Um so there is kind of an agreement with the neighborhood that we would move that billboard.
35:21 Um so I think the neighbors are expecting that it would be moved.
35:24 However, if the question is, if this just doesn't go through, um, would my client have the right to um which I hope never goes there, have the right to have a billboard there?
35:37 Yes, they wouldn't, because it's probably permitted, it's appropriate.
35:40 That's why we thought I mean we just weren't gonna have that, we weren't going down that road, it just was unnecessary and um would have been inefficient.
35:50 Commissioner Jordan, I'll make a motion uh for modified approval zoning docket item 04726.
35:58 Thank you, Commissioner Abear.
36:02 If not, let's go ahead and vote.
36:04 Commissioner Kepper?
36:06 Commissioner Pochet?
36:08 Commissioner Abear?
36:10 Commissioner Josie Gupta.
36:12 Yes, I have to say this is a great example of using exchange as a way to create um a creative solution.
36:23 Commissioner Whittry agreed, and yes, um, Commissioner Dordan?
36:28 Alright, the motion carries.
36:29 We're gonna go ahead and move on to zoning docket 064-26.
36:35 Yes, uh zoning docket 06426 is a request for conditional use to permit a small child care center located at 7542 through 7550 forest Glenn Road within the SRS suburban single family residential district.
36:52 Staff reviewed the request in accordance with the use standards for child care centers contained in Article 20 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance.
37:00 The standards are intended to minimize potential impacts on surrounding residential properties.
37:13 Child care centers can be appropriate in residential districts when determined to be compatible with surrounding properties.
37:20 Staff staff finds that the proposed location to be appropriate for child care center while they while the use will generate some noise and activity, these impacts are expected to be localized to the immediately surrounding properties, and the relatively small size of the facility is expected to limit the intensity of those impacts.
37:44 The proposed child care center appears to be consistent with both the master plan's future land use designation and the intent of the SRS district as it is a compatible community serving use.
37:57 Staff would point out that the staff report currently includes a waiver for off-street parking.
38:03 However, pursuant to Article 20, Section 23 S2D, child care centers located within residential districts are exempt from off-street parking requirements, and therefore the parking waiver is unnecessary.
38:18 Staff recommends approval of zoning docket 064 26, subject to four provisos.
38:34 Please state your name and address, and you'll each have two minutes, and then Nick you'll have after.
38:40 Hi, thanks for having me.
38:42 You can pull it down.
38:42 You don't have to pull the mic down.
38:45 You don't have to stand on your table.
38:48 Thanks for having me.
38:49 My name is Paulette Alexander Taylor, 75628.
38:54 Taylor and Lane, Slidale, Louisiana.
38:57 My daughter will be the one that use my property for um the daycare center.
39:03 So her name is IKEA Russell.
39:07 Ikea Russell 1920 Brooker Street, Slidale, Louisiana, 70461.
39:13 And we're here in support and to answer any questions you may have.
39:18 So you have approval with the staff recommendation as approval one waiver with four provisos.
39:24 Are you aware of those provisos?
39:34 Uh, I'd like to know did you meet with the neighborhood, the residents?
39:40 And what was the outcome?
39:41 I sent out letters and had a meeting.
39:43 Um, we had one person to attend, and she was in support at the library, New Orleans.
39:50 Oh, and what would be your hours of operation?
39:55 Um, drop off should be 7 30 to 9, pick up uh between 3 and 5.
40:00 And how many children do you plan on?
40:05 I don't have the exact number, um, but we're looking at 30.
40:12 And what's the square footage of the property?
40:17 Oh, I believe it's a double, so I believe it's around 2400.
40:26 Sorry, I have another question.
40:28 So who would operate the facility since you both live in Slidale?
40:32 I would operate the f uh facility.
40:34 I have a CDA and I've been in child care over 12 years.
40:45 Is that it for comment?
40:48 No, we have one more comment.
40:49 Any other questions for our applicants?
40:52 You may say down we may after um Mr.
41:03 Hi, good afternoon, Nick Kindle with Agenda for Children, 4103 Annunciation Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115.
41:12 So I just want to say thank you to the staff for their review for the recommendation for approval.
41:18 The one comment I was going to address was uh the waiver and how the parking waiver wasn't necessary, but staff address that, so I think you know, subject to eliminating that waiver.
41:28 We're all good on the zoning side of things.
41:30 So thank you very much for considering the application.
41:38 Any other uh anyone else here to speak?
41:41 If not, then I'm looking for uh motion.
41:44 Yeah, make a motion to approve zoning docket 064-26 with one waiver and four ways.
41:55 The waiver isn't necessary.
41:56 Oh, look at four provisos.
42:01 Thank you, Commissioner Kepper.
42:02 We have an approval on the floor for um with four provisos.
42:07 We have a first and a second.
42:11 If not, let's go ahead and vote.
42:14 Well, the motion, the record should join show that Commissioner Seek has rejoined us.
42:21 Commissioner Jordan.
42:22 Commissioner Whitchery, yes.
42:24 Um Commissioner Josie Gupta?
42:27 Commissioner Abear, yes.
42:29 Commissioner Poche?
42:31 Commissioner Kepper, yes.
42:32 All right, the motion carries.
42:35 Let's move on to zoning docket 065-26.
42:41 Zoning dock is 6526, there is a request for a conditional use.
42:45 It's from an accessory bed and backfires at 3200 Catus Street in an H U R D to historic urban two-family residential districts and the transient lodging interim zoning districts.
42:56 This proposal is to allow the conversion of an existing non-commercial short-term rental, which can you which can utilize up to three bedrooms to an accessory bed and breakfast to utilize each of the five existing bedrooms.
43:10 No addition to alterations of the site or proposed.
43:13 The site has been operating in compliance and has not received any violations.
43:17 The proposal does require a variance for three off-street parking spaces, which cannot be met due to the limited biddable area of the site.
43:26 So the proposal will only create a change of the type of short-term rental operating at the site and will not increase the number of short-term rentals on a petition squared.
43:35 The request is also consistent with the master plan.
43:38 Therefore, staff recommends approval subject to two provisos.
43:43 Can I just ask so it's an accessory bed and breakfast, so the owner owner has to live on the property?
43:50 The owner already lives at the site.
43:52 So they have to continue to do this.
43:59 Please come down and state your name and address.
44:05 And provide context and any type of history too, please.
44:08 Thank you very much for considering this.
44:10 I'm Carrie McCafferty, 3200 Catas Street, New Orleans.
44:20 Uh do you want to share about what happens or about your property?
44:26 Um it has been a uh non-commercial short-term rental for many years.
44:32 Um over the years, as the rules have changed, um, I'm no longer able to afford to upkeep the property and to pay the mortgage.
44:45 So my hope is to have a bed and breakfast that will allow for five bedrooms and ten guests.
44:53 Um we are just a few steps away from commercial and business zoning, so it seems like the perfect place for it.
45:03 Um there's a similar BNB just two blocks away, and I've never heard anything bad about it.
45:11 I've lived there for 16 years.
45:15 So it's just a different setup for what I've been doing for many years.
45:22 When you say um commercials a few um steps away, how close?
45:27 Um, it's two blocks from the intersection of Napoleon and South Claiborne.
45:31 So within about a block, there are some business licenses.
45:37 And there's a CVS on the corner.
45:29 There's a bed and breakfast on Napoleon about two blocks away.
45:45 So it's it's not in the middle of a residential area.
45:49 It's kind of on the edge.
45:51 So seems to be a great spot for it.
45:54 Are you on a corner?
45:58 This is Cata Street, and this is South Roman.
46:06 Commissioners, do you have questions?
46:08 I don't think I have anyone else here to speak on this.
46:18 So I move approval in accordance with staff recommendation.
46:21 It's a continuing the same use and additional impacts are minimal, and she's been a responsible operator as no violations.
46:29 So I move approval.
46:35 Thank you, Commissioner Poche.
46:37 So we have a first and the second.
46:39 Any um you can sit down, ma'am, if you'd like.
46:54 Well then we'll move on to um Commissioner Kepper.
46:59 Commissioner Poche?
47:01 Commissioner Abear?
47:03 Commissioner Josie Gupta.
47:06 Commissioner Witchery is a no.
47:08 Commissioner Jordan?
47:13 The motion carries.
47:17 We're gonna move on to zoning docket zero six six twenty-six.
47:26 And I think we have a deferral.
47:31 This is an application for a commercial short-term rental um where uh sinclaude turns into ramparts.
47:40 Um the applicant is out of town and and cannot attend this meeting and and would like to be heard at the next meeting, so the staff is recommending deferral.
47:53 Um executive director, can you remind us on what we've discussed in this situation?
47:58 If was the applicant, did they notify us prior to today?
48:04 So when did we get the notice?
48:06 I think the the policy that you all spoke about was if we get a um request for a deferral in before the packet goes out.
48:20 Then because that way we could put it on the agenda that is published, and um nobody will have it's e nobody will come in only to see that it's deferred.
48:35 Yeah, I'm I'm not sure when the request came in.
48:37 It's it's Haley's case.
48:39 Yeah, and that was just for effectively an automatic deferral, but even if it doesn't meet that deadline, you all have the discretion to uh to approve.
48:51 Okay, when did we do the deferral?
48:54 When was the deferral?
48:56 Uh the it's requested for deferral to the next meeting on July 13th.
49:00 Okay, but that was in our packet, correct?
49:04 And when is the deadline?
49:06 The deadline is 60 days from today, which we'll put it about, doesn't say here, but about August 23rd or so.
49:18 Okay, just in the spirit of as us, we we haven't changed our rules yet.
49:22 We're discussing them, but um there's no one here to speak on this matter as well.
49:30 So staff, um, there is a request for deferral until July 14th.
49:37 So you can vote to defer.
49:42 You can vote not to defer.
49:47 Oh, I moved to defer to the next meeting.
49:54 Commissioner Sieg voted for defer.
49:56 Um Commissioner Abeyer seconded, and if there's no discussion, let's vote.
50:02 That would be me to ask you all.
50:04 Commissioner Kepper.
50:06 Commissioner Poche?
50:07 Commissioner Abear?
50:09 Commissioner Josie Gupta.
50:10 Commissioner Witchery yes.
50:11 Commissioner Jordan?
50:13 Commissioner Steeg?
50:14 Alright, so the motion carries for deferment to July 14th.
50:18 Moving on to subdivision 059-26.
50:22 Say subdivision uh to divide this uh parcel at the corner of Chef Endowman into three lots to facilitate their sale.
50:32 Um it is generally a consistent with the subdivision regulations.
50:36 However, because the total area uh of the sites or the site exceeds two acres, it must be considered before a public hearing.
50:46 Uh the staff is supportive and recommends approval with one proviso.
50:54 Please come state your name and address.
50:59 2121 S28 Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, 7011.
51:05 And you're the owner of the laundry mat?
51:10 Car wash, I'm sorry, car wash, thank you.
51:11 You we're washing something.
51:15 Um staff or commissioners, you have any questions for our applicant?
51:23 Okay, if not, then we're looking for a motion.
51:26 Staff's recommendation is tentative approval with one proviso.
51:32 I move for approval of zoning docket 06625.
51:36 Thank you, Commissioner Abear.
51:41 Thank you, Commissioner Poche.
51:44 Um, any discussion?
51:48 Uh Commissioner Steag?
51:51 Commissioner Jordan?
51:52 Commissioner Witcher, yes.
51:53 Commissioner Josie Gupta?
51:55 Commissioner Abair?
51:56 Commissioner Poche?
51:58 Commissioner Kepper?
51:59 Alright, the motion carries.
52:01 Well, thank you very much.
52:03 We are now moving to subdivision ratifications.
52:07 There are no subdivisions to ratify today.
52:10 I don't know if we've ever had that.
52:12 Not that I remember.
52:14 Um, so would anyone like to discuss anything else?
52:20 I make a motion to adjourn.
52:30 Stay cool out there.