New Orleans Board of Zoning Adjustments Meeting – July 15, 2024

The Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) of the City of New Orleans met on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Chair Candace Forrest, with six commissioners present (Todd James, Tamara Eggins, Alfonso Gonzalez, Ramiro Diaz, Jose Alvarez, Candace Forrest) and two absent (Jason Richard, Alfonso Gonzalez – note: later Gonzalez was present for roll call). The board adopted the minutes from the June 17, 2024 meeting by a 6-0 vote. The board then proceeded to hear a combination of unfinished and new business for variances, one appeal of a safety and permits decision, and the election of officers.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the June 17, 2024 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (BZA030-24) – 1434 Toledano Street: One opponent, Ferrell Weil (neighbor at 1436 Toledano), spoke against the variance, citing damage to their property from the applicant’s construction and a lack of reconciliation. The applicant had requested a 30-day deferral, which was granted.
• Item 6 (BZA032-24) – 1 Golf Villa Drive: The applicant’s representative (Fresia Galvez, Zach Smith Consulting) argued that the lot’s extreme width (widest on the street) and HOA restrictions created special conditions, and that the variance was needed to allow a family member to move in and care for the mother. Contractor Scott Morse added historical context about the lot’s shape. No opposition was heard.
• Item 2 (BZA001-24) – 5505 Music Street: The applicant (Kaisha Lyman, property owner) provided an arborist report (submitted late) and requested a deferral to obtain additional information about tree impact. Staff recommended deferral to allow the arborist to address specific questions.

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business – Variances:
  • Item 1 (BZA109-23) – 2319 George Nick Connor Drive: Deferred 30 days because the applicant was absent and staff needed to verify impervious surface calculations using a 30-foot lot width (GIS data). The board voted 6-0 to defer.
  • Item 2 (BZA001-24) – 5505 Music Street: Deferred to the end of unfinished business to wait for the applicant; later heard and deferred 30 days for additional arborist information.
  • Item 3 (BZA007-24) – 5022 Bienville Avenue: Withdrawn.
  • Item 4 (BZA030-24) – 1434 Toledano Street: Deferred 30 days at the applicant’s request (to reconcile with neighbor). Vote 6-0.
  • Item 5 (BZA031-24) – 2008 Poydras Street: Deferred 30 days at staff’s request due to insufficient information. Vote 6-0.
• New Business – Variances:
  • Item 6 (BZA032-24) – 1 Golf Villa Drive: Approved (6-0) with one proviso (revised site plan), finding all nine criteria met. The variance permits a side yard setback of 12 feet instead of the required 19 feet for an addition to a single-family home on an irregular, wide lot.
  • Item 7 (BZA033-24) – 6800 Colbert Street: Deferred 30 days at staff’s request because revised plans were submitted after the deadline. Vote 6-0.
  • Item 8 (BZA034-24) – 4916 S. Robertson Street: Deferred 30 days at the applicant’s request to allow further review of the staff report. Vote 6-0.
  • Item 9 (BZA035-24) – 2406-2408 S. Johnson Street: Approved (6-0) with one proviso, waiving two off-street parking spaces for a new two-family dwelling. Staff found all nine criteria met, citing the lot’s shallow depth (62 feet vs. 90 feet required) and historical building footprint.
  • Item 10 (BZA036-24) – 3704 Coliseum Street: Approved (6-0) with one proviso, allowing retention of a second principal structure (carriage house) with a deficient rear yard setback (13 ft 4 in waiver). Staff found special conditions not caused by the applicant.
  • Item 11 (BZA037-24) – 6314-6316 Peoples Avenue: Deferred 30 days at staff’s request (applicant not present, staff noted a discrepancy in the report). Vote 6-0.
  • Item 12 (BZA038-24) – 2001-2003 St. Ann Street: Deferred 30 days at staff’s request (applicant and planner absent). Vote 6-0.
• Unfinished Business – Safety and Permits Decision Appeal:
  • Item 13 (BZA008-24) – 2900 Perdido Street: Deferred 90 days due to pending litigation. The appeal concerns a permit issued under court order for a jail facility. Commissioner Tamara Eggins recused herself. The board voted 5-0 (Eggins recused) to defer.
• Election of Officers: The board re-elected Candace Forrest as Chair and Todd James as Vice Chair for the term July 2024 – July 2025. The vote was 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Deferrals: Items 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 – all deferred (30 or 90 days) by unanimous votes.
  • Approvals: Items 6, 9, 10 – all approved (6-0) with one proviso each.
  • Withdrawn: Item 3.
• Officers: Candace Forrest (Chair) and Todd James (Vice Chair) re-elected 6-0.
• Next Steps: Applicants for deferred items must comply with staff requests (e.g., revised site plans, arborist reports) before the cases can be revisited. The board will reconvene in August 2024 for the next regular meeting.