City Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Date: March 11, 2025
Time: 1:44 PM
Location: Council Chambers
Presiding: Chair (not named in transcript)
Commissioners Present: Johnson, Lund, Gupta, Whitry, Jordan, Brown, Steve, Stewart

The meeting began with roll call, formal reading of public hearing rules, and adoption of the minutes from the February 25, 2025 meeting. The primary business items were Zoning Docket 014/25 (a text amendment to add "wine shop" as a conditional use in the CBD-5 district) and Zoning Docket 015/25 (a conditional use application for a wine shop at 722-726 Girod Street, the site of Pluck Restaurant). The meeting concluded with ratification of subdivision applications.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes: The minutes of the February 25, 2025 meeting were adopted unanimously (motion by Commissioner Whitry, second by Commissioner Stewart).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nicole Webre (applicant, 2131 Bienville St.) – Expressed support for the text amendment and conditional use, explaining the need to align state and city laws. Proposed limiting the wine shop to 500 square feet with a separate entrance, no on-site consumption, and noted that a conditional use process would prevent a flood of similar applications.
• Sky Latour (owner of Pluck Wine Bar & Restaurant) – Expressed support, stating that selling wine retail would provide stability and allow wine education. Mentioned a 15-year lease on the property.
• Craig Mitchell (615 Baronne St., former planning commissioner) – Expressed strong support, describing Pluck as a "home away from home" and a responsible business. Requested ability to purchase bottles of wine tasted at the restaurant.
• Mark Schneider (731 St. Charles Ave.) – Expressed support, highlighting the high quality and rarity of wines sold at Pluck and the restaurant's James Beard Award nomination.
• Michael Duplantier (820 Baronne St., longtime property owner) – Expressed opposition to the text amendment, warning that it would open the door to wine shops throughout CBD-5, undermining 50 years of neighborhood efforts to limit liquor uses. Acknowledged Pluck is a good business but concerned about precedent. Responded that conditional use provides some comfort but is not a strong enough protection.
• Letters of Support: The applicant noted 41 letters, emails, and petition signatures from homeowners and residents within the block radius. No formal opposition petitions were presented.

Discussion Items

• Text Amendment (ZD 014/25): Staff recommended denial, arguing that wine shops are inconsistent with the residential character of CBD-5 and that the commission has consistently denied similar requests in districts where bars are prohibited. Commissioner Whitry and others discussed the possibility of adding conditions specific to CBD-5 (e.g., size limits, no on-site consumption) through the CZO rather than the conditional use process. Commissioner Steag suggested an overlay district. Commissioner Brown argued that conditional use is appropriate because each case can be evaluated on its merits and that wine tasting is part of the wine shop experience. The commission ultimately voted to approve the text amendment against staff recommendation.
• Conditional Use (ZD 015/25): Staff recommended denial as a companion to the text amendment. Commissioner Steag initially proposed a motion to approve with provisos limiting the shop to 550 square feet and prohibiting on-site consumption. After withdrawing that motion, Commissioner Gupta moved to approve without additional provisos, seconded by Commissioner Brown. The commission voted to approve.
• Subdivision Ratifications: Staff presented a list of subdivisions eligible for administrative approval. Motion to ratify by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Whitry; unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Docket 014/25: Approved (motion by Commissioner Whitry, second by Commissioner Brown, against staff recommendation). The text amendment will add "wine shop" as a conditional use in the CBD-5 Urban Core Neighborhood Lower Intensity Mixed-Use District.
• Zoning Docket 015/25: Approved (motion by Commissioner Gupta, second by Commissioner Brown, against staff recommendation). The conditional use is granted for a wine shop at 722-726 Girod Street, subject to the use standards in Section 20.3.PPP. No additional provisos were added; the applicant indicated willingness to limit the shop to 500 square feet and prohibit on-site consumption.
• Subdivision Ratifications: Approved (unanimous). All listed subdivisions were ratified.
• Next Steps: The text amendment will now go to the City Council for final consideration (as noted, the applicant plans to request extended operating hours at the council level).