New Orleans City Planning Commission Meeting - February 27, 2024

The New Orleans City Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 27, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered multiple zoning dockets, including a controversial restaurant expansion, a cigar bar parklet text amendment, a corner store alcohol sales request, and a citywide affordable housing text amendment. Several items were approved, denied, deferred, or sent to City Council due to a tie vote. The meeting adjourned early due to loss of quorum, with two reconsideration requests postponed to a future meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes: The minutes of the February 6, 2024, meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zoning Docket 015/24 – Nice Guys NOLA (7908-7912 Earhart Blvd): Multiple speakers testified. Supporters, including the owner Glenn Charles, community liaison Percy Marshall (Together Girt Town), and neighbor Crystal James, highlighted the business's economic impact, employment of 80-100 people, proactive trash cleanup, security measures, and a draft good neighbor agreement. Opponents, including Taylor Burnham (direct neighbor), Phil Johnson, Richard Barker, and Danielle Haklika, cited noise, parking encroachments, illegal construction, and a petition of 73 signatures against the zoning change.
• Zoning Docket 022/24 – Cigar Bar Parklet (533 Toulouse St): Supporters, including owner Andrew Wilson, patrons, and hospitality industry representatives, argued the parklet improves ventilation for patrons and adds safety and economic vitality. Opponents, including Nathan Chapman (VCPORA president), Aaron Holmes (VCPORA executive director), and Brad Wellens (Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living), opposed the text amendment as spot zoning, a health risk, and a violation of the temporary parklet program.
• Zoning Docket 023/24 – Reception Facility (514 Jackson Ave): Deferred; public comments from opponents (John Olson, Stacy Olson, Jacqueline Case, Mark Redding) noted past noise, unpermitted work, and incompatibility with the neighborhood.
• Zoning Docket 026/24 – Birdie's Corner Store (2372 Constance St): Opponents, including Bridget Abair, David Bordelon, Richard Abair, and others, argued that adding hard liquor sales would increase crime, parking issues, and loitering. They noted the store already sells beer and that nearby alternatives exist. The applicant (Mike) and property owners (Joel Ross, Ramsey Marcello) presented 200+ signatures in support, stating 80% of customers request wine and liquor.
• Zoning Docket 027/24 – Small Multi-Family Affordable Text Amendment: Supporters, including Leah LeBlanc (Housing NOLA), Christopher Johnson (AIA New Orleans), Jennifer Wickham, and Christine Schall Dunn, emphasized the need for affordable housing and the low-cost incentive. No opponents spoke, but Susan Johnson (HNON) requested a deferral for more public notice.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Docket 015/24: Staff recommended denial, citing the illegal expansion, noise, and incompatibility with the HU-B1 district. The applicant argued that C-1 zoning is appropriate given Earhart Boulevard's commercial character, and that the business has made significant compliance improvements. Commissioners debated provisos for live entertainment hours and speaker locations. The motion to approve with conditions failed 3-3, resulting in no decision (matter sent to City Council).
• Zoning Docket 022/24: Staff recommended denial, stating the text amendment would grant preferential treatment to a single cigar bar. The applicant argued that cigar bars have unique health needs for ventilation. Commissioners noted that parklets are prohibited in the Vieux Carré and that allowing one exception would be spot zoning. The motion to deny passed unanimously.
• Zoning Docket 026/24: Staff recommended modified approval to HU-B1A (which does not allow alcohol sales), but the applicant wanted HU-MU to allow liquor. The commission voted to deny the zoning change, maintaining the current HU-RD2 zoning and the existing non-conforming beer-only use.
• Zoning Docket 027/24: Staff recommended modified approval. A motion to defer for 30 days failed 3-2. The commission then approved the text amendment unanimously, with a modification to allow “one or more structures” instead of “one or two,” to accommodate zoning districts that already permit multiple principal buildings.
• Zoning Docket 024/24 (Wireless Facility): Approved unanimously on staff recommendation.
• Zoning Docket 025/24 (Top Cat Enterprises Expansion): Approved unanimously with proviso adjustment to allow parklet seating if legally permitted.
• Zoning Docket 028/24 (Car Wash Expansion): Approved unanimously.
• Reconsideration Requests (Zoning Dockets 019/24 and 020/24): The commission lost quorum before hearing these items. The meeting was adjourned, and these items will be taken up at the March 5, 2024 special meeting.
• Subdivision Docket 002/24 and Property Acquisition 002/24: Not reached due to adjournment.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Docket 015/24 (Nice Guys NOLA): Motion to approve with conditions failed 3-3 (Commissioners Stewart, Flick, Joshi Gupta in favor; Brown, Steeg, Whitry opposed). No decision; matter forwarded to City Council.
• Zoning Docket 022/24 (Cigar Bar Parklet): Denied unanimously (6-0).
• Zoning Docket 023/24 (Reception Facility): Deferred to March 12, 2024.
• Zoning Docket 024/24 (Wireless Facility): Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Docket 025/24 (Top Cat Expansion): Approved unanimously, with proviso 5 amended to allow parklet seating if authorized by law.
• Zoning Docket 026/24 (Birdie's Corner Store): Denied (zoning change to HU-MU or HU-B1A rejected; existing zoning maintained).
• Zoning Docket 027/24 (Small Multi-Family Affordable Text Amendment): Approved unanimously, with language changed to “one or more structures.”
• Zoning Docket 028/24 (Car Wash Expansion): Approved unanimously.
• Reconsideration Requests (19/24 and 20/24): Not decided; continued to March 5, 2024 special meeting.
• Property Acquisition 002/24 and Subdivision Ratifications: Not addressed due to adjournment.