City Planning Commission Meeting - August 13, 2024

The New Orleans City Planning Commission met on August 13, 2024, at 1:40 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included roll call (Commissioners Gupta, Stewart, Steve, Jordan, Whitry, Lund, and Johnson were present), adoption of the July 23, 2024 minutes, and action on seven agenda items: four zoning dockets, two property transactions, and subdivision ratifications. All items were approved, with one zoning docket approved against the staff recommendation.

Adoption of Minutes

• The minutes of the July 23, 2024 meeting were adopted unanimously (motion by Commissioner Whitry, second by Commissioner Johnson).

Zoning Docket 064/24 – Wireless Telecommunications Antenna (2649 Napoleon Avenue)

• Request: Conditional use to amend a prior ordinance to allow three new stealth antennas and equipment on an existing building in an HU-B1 Historic Urban Neighborhood Business District.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval with three provisos.
• Public Comment: Elizabeth Williams (applicant representative) was present to answer questions.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Whitry, second by Commissioner Lunn).

Zoning Docket 066/24 – Zoning Change from M-MU to LI (19808 Chef Menteur Highway)

• Request: Zoning change from Maritime Mixed-Use (M-MU) to Light Industrial (LI) to allow a welding repair and light fabrication shop in an existing 3-acre building.
• Staff Recommendation: Denial, citing inconsistency with the Master Plan’s Mixed-Use Maritime future land use designation, which envisions residential and supporting commercial uses, not industrial uses.
• Public Comment: Jay Nix (supporter, neighbor across the street) spoke in favor, noting the building has been vacant and used for industrial purposes in the past. Terry Smith (applicant/owner from Lumberton, Mississippi) stated the business is a union sheet metal startup, expecting 1-2 employees initially, with potential for 10-15 and $1-10 million in annual revenue. He emphasized the property is ready for operation pending approval.
• Discussion: Several commissioners noted the area already contains heavy industrial uses and that the vacant building would benefit the community. One commissioner questioned the staff’s interpretation of the PLUM designation, observing that the area includes industrial facilities.
• Outcome: Approved against staff recommendation (motion and second not clearly attributed in transcript, but the vote was unanimous).

Zoning Docket 067/24 – Office >5,000 sq ft and Rescission (7018 Washington Avenue)

• Request: Conditional use for an office (over 5,000 sq ft) in an HU-MU Historic Urban Mixed-Use District, and rescission of a prior ordinance. The existing 17,166 sq ft warehouse will be adaptively reused for K C Janitorial, LLC, with minor exterior changes.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval with two provisos.
• Public Comment: Ryan Lazo (applicant representative) spoke in support, highlighting economic development and adaptive reuse.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Steag, second by Commissioner Lunn).

Zoning Docket 068/24 – Community Center (14051-14071 Dwyer Boulevard)

• Request: Conditional use to permit a 16,345 sq ft community center on a 226,117 sq ft vacant lot in an S-RS Suburban Single-Family Residential District, adjacent to Queen Mary of Vietnam Church.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval with six provisos (staff noted the report erroneously mentioned a waiver; no waiver was needed).
• Public Comment: None.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Whitry).

Property Acquisition 004/24 – Orleans Place Subdivision Roadways

• Request: City acquisition of 51,413 sq ft of five roadways (Jennifer Street, Foley Lane, Kathleen Street, Jefferson Lane, Amanda Street) to correct a 2010 surveying error that shifted the subdivision 25 feet west, causing streets to be built on private land and houses on paper streets.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval with three provisos (including sewage and water board approval and a new survey).
• Public Comment: Missy Quigley (representing Maumas Partners, LP) explained the eight-year effort to resolve the error involving an affordable housing development of 60 units (20-60% AMI). The acquisition is part of a two-step exchange with the city.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Lunn, second by Commissioner Gupta).

Property Disposition 003/24 – Orleans Place Subdivision Lots

• Request: Disposition of 22,054.08 sq ft (29 portions of property) to Maumas Partners, LP, as the second step of the exchange to correct the same surveying error.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval with three provisos.
• Public Comment: Missy Quigley again spoke in support.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Gupta, second by Commissioner Lunn).

Subdivision Ratification

• Request: Ratification of staff determination that certain subdivision applications are eligible for administrative approval.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Lunn).

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved. The meeting adjourned without further discussion.