The New Orleans City Planning Commission convened on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The commission considered nine zoning dockets, two subdivision dockets, and a list of subdivision ratifications. Several items sparked debate and resulted in decisions that diverged from staff recommendations.
The following individuals addressed the commission on specific agenda items:
Zoning Docket 001/25 – Bar in HMC-2 District Staff recommended approval with eight provisos, finding the use compatible with the site and consistent with the master plan. The commission questioned the applicant about the provisos, and she confirmed acceptance. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Josh Gupta, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, and passed unanimously.
Zoning Docket 002/25 – Zoning Change from HI to C-2 Staff recommended denial because the requested C-2 zoning is not consistent with the industrial future land use designation. The applicant argued that a 2016 zoning verification allowed used motor vehicle sales. Staff clarified that the current ordinance does not allow such sales in HI, and any grandfathering was lost due to cessation of operations. Commission discussion included questions about the feasibility of storing cars versus selling, and the possibility of spot zoning. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve despite the staff recommendation, with the caveat that the approval be couched as consistent with the master plan notwithstanding the consistency table. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Josh Gupta and passed unanimously.
Zoning Docket 003/25 – Zoning Change to HU-B1 Staff recommended deferral to January 28, 2025, to allow proper signage. The commission deferred the item without discussion via a motion by Commissioner Flick, seconded by Commissioner Johnson.
Zoning Docket 004/25 – Zoning Change to S-RD The applicant requested a deferral to January 28, 2025. The commission granted the deferral on a motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Flick.
Zoning Docket 005/25 – Conditional Use for Single-Family Residence in GPD Staff recommended approval subject to one waiver and three provisos. The applicant spoke in support. No questions were raised. The commission approved the staff recommendation via a motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Brown.
Zoning Docket 006/25 – Conditional Use for Neighborhood Commercial Establishment Staff recommended approval with two provisos. No opposing testimony was heard. Commission discussion was minimal. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Steve and passed.
Zoning Docket 007/25 – Accessory Parking Lot in HU-RD2 Staff recommended denial because the market is exempt from providing parking and the CZO limits accessory parking in residential areas. Multiple proponents highlighted safety issues for customers and community support for the market. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve against staff recommendation, with one proviso requiring a landscaping plan. The motion was seconded and passed. Commissioner Flick recused herself from this docket.
Subdivision Docket 114/24 – Resubdivision for Church Expansion Staff recommended tentative approval with two provisos. The applicant spoke in support. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Flick, and passed.
Subdivision Docket 115/24 – Resubdivision for Duplex into Two Lots Staff recommended tentative approval with two provisos, noting that the existing building would not change. The applicant’s representative explained the retirement planning purpose. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Steve, and passed.
Um, for the complete comic, you can see that. Well, first we'll start roll called then the reading of the public hearing rules. Well, first we'll start with roll call, then the reading of the public hearing rules, followed by today's uh business. So that said, uh call roll, Commissioner Johnson. Commissioner Lund, Commissioner Josh Gupta, Commissioner Flick, present Commissioner Wittry. Present. Commissioner Jordan here, Commissioner Brown. Here. Commissioner Steve here. And Commissioner Stewart. Present. Okay. So the form formal public hearing rules for the city planning commissioner as follows. Um the city planning commission has established certain rules governing the procedures to be followed at public hearings. Before speaking, each person shall give their name, address, and state whom he or she is representing. Proponents for the proposal will speak first for a period of 10 minutes total. Each speaker shall be allowed a maximum of two minutes. Opponents or other interested parties will speak second for a period of 15 minutes. Each speaker shall be allowed a maximum of two minutes. Proponents will be allowed a period of six minutes for a rebuttal total. Each speaker shall be allowed a maximum of two minutes. Opponents will not be allowed to rebut. No material, including written written matter, photographs, maps, or other items will be accepted by the commission or its staff at any time during this public hearing. This procedure shall be followed except at such a time when the presiding officer shall, with the approval of the commission members present, extend such time. And with that said, we will start start first with the adoption of meeting minutes from the December 10th uh meeting. Commissioner Flick will make a motion for adoption of the December 10th meeting minutes. Second. Okay. We have a motion to adopt the minutes by Commissioner Flick, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Is there any discussion? If not, we'll vote our machines. And the minutes are approved. Next is zoning docket item 00125. Zoning Docket 00125 is a request for an amendment to ordinance number 29,547. Okay. Or zoning docket 02123, which granted a conditional use to permit a reception facility to now grant conditional use to permit a bar in an HMC to Historic Marinet Tramay Bywater Commercial District, as well as an HUC Historic Urban Corridor use restriction overlay district. The site is located at 1830 to 1840 North Clayburn Av and 2224 uh Pogger Street is developed with a single structure that currently accommodates five individual tenant spaces. The proposed dockery bar would be located in one of the tenant spaces, 1840 North Clayburn Avenue, closest to the Potger Street side of this property. The remaining four tenant spaces are excluded from the proposal and would continue to operate independently of the bar. The total square square footage of the bar would be approximately 840 square feet. The applicant has stated no plans for food service nor live entertainment. Further, the applicant is not proposing in or any renovations to the exterior of the structure. Staff finds that the proposed use meets the standards for approval in Article 4 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance and is consistent with the master plan. Therefore, the staff finds the use compatible with the site and recommends zoning docket 00125 for approval, subject to eight provisos. Thank you. Um we don't have any comment cards and the applicant present. Would you like to speak? Good afternoon. My name is Renata Gleason Warren, owner of the Future Nothing Befiactory. I just want to say thank you all for recommending the approval for uh the daiquiries shop at 1840 North Clayborn Avenue.