New Orleans City Planning Commission Meeting – October 15, 2026

The New Orleans City Planning Commission convened on 2026-10-15 19:30:00 UTC to consider a large agenda including a citywide data center zoning text amendment, multiple zoning changes and conditional uses, a subdivision request, public hearing rules, and ratifications. The agenda header listed the meeting as October 13, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; this summary uses the meeting timestamp provided with the record. The Commission adopted prior minutes, approved most land-use requests, deferred several contested items, and denied two requests.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted the September 22, 2026 meeting minutes by unanimous vote.
• Approved the subdivision ratifications list presented by staff.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the data-center text amendment, public speakers were overwhelmingly opposed. Kenyon Smith, interim president of the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission, said the item was added after the public-comment deadline, argued the process was unfair, and urged the Commission to slow down and consult the community. Representatives of the Party for Socialism and Liberation / Take Back the Power campaign, including Ahmed, Cecilia Paz, Deborah Levy, Kendall Barry, Samantha Holland, and Lizzie Pitts, called for a total ban on new data centers, citing environmental racism, strain on water and power infrastructure, noise, heat, and insufficient 500-foot buffers. Roland Barth of the Pines Village Association raised environmental health concerns; Ian Bailey cited boil-water advisories and subsidence; Frederick Bell Jr., speaking for energy advocacy groups, supported ENONAC's recommendations and asked for more time. Other speakers, including Lauren Xander and Keith Grady, also opposed the proposal.
• Public testimony on other dockets is summarized under the relevant docket below.

Discussion Items

Zoning Docket 036/26 – Data Center Text Amendment

• Staff presented a proposal defining accessory, small, medium, and large/hyperscale data centers. Small data centers would be up to 20,000 square feet and 5 megawatts; medium up to 100,000 square feet and 20 megawatts; large centers would be prohibited citywide. Conditional uses would be required in certain districts, with a 500-foot buffer from residential zoning, pre-reviews by Entergy and the Sewerage and Water Board, an annual compliance report, and emergency-only backup power.
• Commissioner Steeg moved a modified approval that would have increased the buffer to 1,000 feet, lowered the small threshold to 10,000 square feet and 3 megawatts, lowered the medium threshold to 50,000 square feet and 15 megawatts, required noise abatement plans, and restricted undisclosed information. That motion failed 4–3.
• The Commission then voted 5–2 to deny the proposed text amendment and transmit recommendations to the City Council. The recommendations included extending the interim zoning district, increasing the residential buffer to 1,000 feet, lowering the small/medium thresholds, requiring noise mitigation plans, ensuring data disclosed to the Commission is not withheld from the public record, and conducting additional community engagement.

Zoning Docket 091/26 – West Rigolets Lighthouse

• Applicant Vincent Marcelo sought a zoning change from NA Natural Area to M-MU Maritime Mixed-Use and conditional uses for a replica lighthouse and two commercial short-term rental fishing camps. Staff recommended denial because the uses were incompatible with the Natural Area land-use category. Marcelo cited shoreline erosion, community support, and letters from the Lieutenant Governor's office and the Pontchartrain Conservancy.
• The Commission voted 6–1 to approve against staff recommendation, with Commissioner Flick dissenting on the commercial short-term rental component.

Zoning Docket 095/26 – Downman Road Vehicle Service and Repair

• Staff recommended approval with provisos for a minor motor vehicle repair shop at 4901 Downman Road. Applicant Jim Brown said he met with neighborhood associations and had begun property improvements. Opponents, including Mary James, Roland Barth, and Kenyon Smith, raised concerns about community notification and unresolved neighborhood conditions.
• The Commission deferred the item to October 27, 2026, to allow further community engagement.

Zoning Docket 099/26 – Prytania Street / Melpomene Street Rezoning

• Staff recommended approval of a change from HU-RD2 to HU-MU for the historic commercial building at 1431–1435 Prytania Street. Architect David Glasgow explained planned renovations.
• Approved unanimously.

Zoning Docket 100/26 – Lake Terrace and Lake Oaks Fence Regulations

• Staff recommended a technical amendment to consolidate fence-height regulations for Lake Vista, Lake Terrace, and Lake Oaks and delete redundant language.
• Approved unanimously.

Zoning Docket 101/26 – Freret Street Bar

• Staff recommended approval of a conditional use for a bar at 5010 Freret Street. Applicant representatives Laura Barth and architect Eric Hoffman spoke in support. Susan Johnson of Historic New Orleans Neighborhoods requested deferral pending verification of the adjacent social-club zoning.
• Approved unanimously.

Zoning Docket 102/26 – South Carrollton Avenue Car Wash

• Staff recommended denial, finding the car wash inconsistent with the walkable MU-1 district. Applicant representatives Nicole Weber, Laura LeBon, and a landscape architect described local ownership, a mid-century modern design, 40 percent permeable paving, a 34 percent reduction in peak stormwater flow, and expanded landscaping. No opposition was heard.
• The Commission voted to approve against staff recommendation, with the staff provisos attached.

Zoning Docket 103/26 – St. Charles Avenue Principal Bed and Breakfast

• Staff recommended approval with one parking waiver and three provisos for a principal bed and breakfast at 2501–2503 St. Charles Avenue. Applicants John and Candrea Baker Mers said they lived on the property and had been responsive neighbors. Opponents, including Andy Braun of the Garden District Association and multiple Gallery Condo owners and neighbors, cited past illegal short-term rental operation, noise, parking, events, and alleged homestead-exemption issues. The applicants admitted a prior citation and fine but disputed other claims. Commissioner Steeg recused.
• The motion to approve carried by a vote of approximately 5–1, with one commissioner voting no.

Zoning Docket 104/26 – Old Gentilly Road Packaged Alcohol Sales

• Staff recommended approval for packaged alcoholic beverage sales in a planned gas station and convenience store at the former Family Dollar site. Applicant Nicole Weber spoke in support. Opponents, including Pastor Mel Jones, Adam Hughes, and Dr. Lloyd Harsh, opposed adding alcohol near a daycare, church, and recovery ministry.
• The applicant requested a deferral to meet with opponents, and the Commission deferred the item to December 8, 2026.

Zoning Docket 105/26 – Elysian Fields Avenue Wine Shop

• Staff recommended approval for a wine shop with a small tasting area at 1001–1009 Elysian Fields Avenue. Applicant representative Chris Young clarified the use is a wine shop, not a bar.
• Approved unanimously.

Zoning Docket 106/26 – St. Charles Avenue Bar

• Staff recommended approval for a conditional use bar at 1726–1728 St. Charles Avenue, expanding an existing microbrewery operation. Judy Perry Martinez spoke in support.
• Approved unanimously with provisos.

Zoning Docket 107/26 – Norman C. Francis Parkway Packaged Alcohol Sales

• Staff recommended approval with a daycare-related proviso for packaged alcohol sales at a renovated gas station. Applicant Nicole Weber described neighbor meetings and offered additional limits, including Monday–Saturday hours, no single-serve alcohol, and fresh food sales. Kenneth Ratif supported the project. Opponents Melissa Tabi, Tim Martin, and others cited daycare proximity, traffic, crime, and existing alcohol density.
• Commissioner Steeg moved to deny the conditional use. The motion carried 4–3, so the request was denied.

Zoning Docket 108/26 – Magazine Street Overlay Amendment

• Staff recommended approval of an amendment to remove part of the Magazine Street Use Restriction Overlay. Councilmember offices requested a deferral. Shelley Landrieu of the Garden District Association asked for more time to study impacts.
• The Commission deferred the item to December 8, 2026.

Subdivision Docket 108/26 – Danube Road / Mullet Street Resubdivision

• Staff recommended approval of the resubdivision of four lots into one through lot. Applicant Richard Lothian III was present.
• Approved unanimously.

Public Hearing Rules Update

• The proposed update to public hearing rules was deferred to October 27, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Denied the data-center text amendment 5–2 and referred detailed recommendations to the City Council, including extending the interim zoning district, increasing buffers, lowering size and power thresholds, adding noise mitigation requirements, and expanding public engagement.
• Approved the West Rigolets Lighthouse zoning change and conditional uses 6–1.
• Approved the South Carrollton Avenue car wash despite staff denial.
• Denied the Norman C. Francis Parkway packaged alcohol conditional use 4–3.
• Deferred the Downman Road auto repair, Old Gentilly Road alcohol sales, Magazine Street overlay amendment, and public hearing rules update.
• Approved all remaining zoning requests, the subdivision request, minutes, and ratifications.