City Planning Commission Meeting – February 19, 2024

The New Orleans City Planning Commission (BZA) met on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting lasted approximately six hours and covered 24 agenda items, including variances, director of safety and permits decision appeals, reasonable accommodation appeals, and the election of officers. The board took action on each item, with several deferrals and a notable decision on a multifamily development in the Sear Street area.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the January 29, 2024 special meeting (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several members of the public testified on various items. Notable testimony included:
  • BZA119-23 (2320-22 S. Derbigny Street): Applicant Irma Plummer spoke in favor of a rear-yard setback waiver, citing neighborhood safety concerns (used syringes, prostitution).
  • BZA011-24 (1100 Sere Street): Multiple residents opposed the 74-unit affordable housing project, citing density, traffic, and environmental concerns. Councilman Eugene Green's opposition letter was read into the record.
  • BZA007-24 (5022 Bienville Avenue): Neighbors opposed the restaurant conversion, citing lack of parking, ADA ramp visibility, and traffic safety.
  • BZA013-24 (5571 Read Boulevard): Supporters emphasized the need for a credit union ATM in an underserved area; an opponent argued the stand-alone kiosk would set a bad precedent.

Discussion Items

Variances – Unfinished Business

• BZA098-23 (3311 Republic Street): Approved (5-0) – waiver for interior side yard setback, subject to two provisos.
• BZA105-23 (1832 Painters Street): Deferred 30 days – applicant unable to secure engineer plans.
• BZA106-23 (5000 Old Gentilly Road): Deferred 30 days – board requested additional information on turning radiuses affecting building height.
• BZA109-23 (2319 George Nick Connor Drive): Deferred 30 days – staff to verify concrete removal for compliance.
• BZA118-23 (3515 Danneel Street): Approved (6-0) – waiver for interior side yard setback, subject to two provisos.
• BZA119-23 (2320-22 S. Derbigny Street): Deferred 30 days – board found alternative design options exist; applicant asked to revise plans.
• BZA001-24 (5505 Music Street): Deferred 30 days – applicant meeting with arborist.
• BZA003-24 (69 N. Park Place): Approved (5-1) – waiver for detached garage and driveway width in a unique double-frontage lot, subject to three provisos.

Variances – Unfinished Business (Automatically Deferred)

• BZA005-24 (3864 Johnny Jackson Jr. Blvd): Deferred 30 days.
• BZA006-24 (7718-7720 Freret Street): Deferred 30 days – applicant scheduling conflict.
• BZA007-24 (5022 Bienville Avenue): Deferred 60 days – after discussion about ADA ramp and ceiling height, applicant requested time to revise design.

Variances – New Business

• BZA009-24 (1890-1896 N. Rocheblave Street): Approved (6-0) – waivers for lot area and permeable open space, subject to one proviso, based on hardship from subdivision correction.
• BZA010-24 (2417 Rousseau Street): Approved (6-0) – waivers for lot area, depth, and rear yard setback, subject to two provisos.
• BZA011-24 (1100 Sere Street): Partial approval (5-1) – waived minimum lot area (two-acre requirement) for a 74-unit affordable housing development, but denied the parking waiver (4 spaces). The board added a proviso for a traffic study. The project will need to provide 4 off-street spaces or reduce units.
• BZA012-24 (1928 Cadiz Street): Approved (6-0) – waiver for rear yard coverage of accessory structure, subject to one proviso.
• BZA013-24 (5571 Read Boulevard): Approved (6-0) – waivers for drive-thru ATM design standards, subject to two provisos: landscaping with 18-inch max ground cover and shade trees, and a landscape review.
• BZA014-24 (4156 Davey Street): Approved (6-0) – waivers for carport location and front yard parking, subject to four provisos, recognizing the unique development pattern.

Director of Safety and Permits Decision Appeals – Unfinished Business

• BZA102-23 (1533 Broadway Street): Deferred 30 days at applicant's request for potential resolution.
• BZA008-24 (2900 Perdido Street): Deferred 30 days at applicant's request due to emergency.

Director of Safety and Permits Decision Appeals – New Business

• BZA015-24 (4522 Palmyra Street): Deferred 30 days – department needed additional information from applicant.
• BZA016-24 (7417 Burthe Street): Deferred 30 days – board sought clarity on whether overlay district requirements override grandfather rights for non-conforming parking spaces.

Reasonable Accommodation Appeals

• RA003-23 (1230 N. Galvez Street): Appeal denied (4-0) – upheld director's decision requiring 50% pervious surface in front yard and delineation between parking area and sidewalk.
• RA004-23 (13629 N. Cavelier Drive): Appeal denied (4-0) – upheld director's denial; paved front yard not necessary for disability access.

Election of Officers

• Deferred to next meeting due to incomplete board attendance.

Key Outcomes

• Decisions: 9 variances approved, 7 deferred, 1 partially approved. One decision appeal deferred, one reasonable accommodation upheld, one denied.
• Votes: All votes were unanimous except for BZA003-24 (5-1) and BZA011-24 (5-1).
• Statistics: 24 items on the agenda; 22 considered; 2 withdrawn (BZA117-23). Approximately 12 public speakers testified.
• Next Steps: Deferred items will return on March 18, 2024. The board will elect officers at the next meeting.