The New Orleans City Planning Commission (CPC) held a public hearing on February 24, 2026, beginning after roll call at approximately 7:45 PM. The meeting covered several zoning and land use items, including conditional use permits, zoning changes, a street renaming, and a subdivision ratification. The Commission heard public testimony on multiple items and voted on staff recommendations.
Zoning Docket 014-26 (2400 Napoleon Avenue): Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the requested modification to allow live entertainment with up to 1,000+ attendees and elimination of minimum parking. Speakers included:
Zoning Docket 015-26 (Central City): The applicant, Zach Smith (1000 South Norman C. Francis), spoke in favor of rezoning for a package liquor store to restore a former business (Red Zone). He read a letter of support from the Central City Faubourg Lafayette Association. No opposition cards were submitted.
Zoning Docket 016-26 (Third Street and Loyola): Architect Charles Silbernagel (3129 Edenborn) spoke in favor of the community center, noting it would provide computer services, a food pantry, and cooked meals for the neighborhood. No opposition was present.
Zoning Docket 017-26 (802 Fern Street/Maple Street): Applicant Chris Young (1524 Edwards Avenue) spoke in favor, supported by neighborhood association past president Keith Hardy (917 Hillary Street) and neighbor Graham Hill (917 Hillary Street). Hardy stated the association's support is conditioned on five additional provisos restricting alcohol sales and consumption.
Zoning Docket 018-26 (Iberville Street): Applicant Heather Cooper (AQ Studios) spoke in favor, requesting a variance from bicycle parking requirements due to narrow sidewalks and split-level design. No opposition cards were submitted.
Zoning Docket 019-26 (4701 Babylon Street): Applicant Kian Cooley spoke in favor of the child care center, emphasizing her 17 years of experience and the need for child care in the area. Opponents included:
Street Name Change 001-26 (West Robert E. Lee Boulevard to Zephyr Court): One speaker, Charles Howley (255 West Robert Lee), was in favor but noted the map is incorrect; the street extends to West End Boulevard, not Pontchartrain Boulevard. No opposition.
Zoning Docket 014-26 (2400 Napoleon Avenue): The applicant requested a deferral until March 10, 2026, to hold additional community meetings. The Commission granted the deferral unanimously.
Zoning Docket 015-26 (Central City): The Commission discussed the zoning change and conditional use for package liquor sales. Commissioner Stewart supported the motion because the previous use was lost on a technicality and the operator is known. Commissioner Sieg opposed, arguing the only reason for upzoning is liquor and that a cheaper liquor store is not needed. The motion passed 4-2 (Commissioners Stewart, Poche, Flick, and Steag in favor; Sieg and Gupta opposed).
Zoning Docket 016-26 (Third Street and Loyola): A motion to approve the community center with staff provisos was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Zoning Docket 017-26 (802 Fern Street/Maple Street): Commissioner Flick made a motion to approve with the two staff provisos plus five additional provisos offered by the neighborhood, including restrictions on alcohol consumption and operating hours. The motion passed unanimously.
Zoning Docket 018-26 (Iberville Street): The Commission discussed the variance request for bicycle parking. The applicant stated they could work with DPW to find on-street bike parking. The motion to approve staff recommendation (without variance) passed 5-1 (Commissioner Sieg dissenting).
Zoning Docket 019-26 (4701 Babylon Street): A motion to approve the child care center with staff provisos was made but failed 3-2 (Commissioners Stewart, Poche, and Flick in favor; Sieg and Steag opposed). Under city council rules, the matter will be transmitted as a de facto denial. Commissioner Steag cited strong neighborhood opposition as a reason for his vote.
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 rebuttal. Each speaker shall be allowed a maximum of two minutes. Opponents will not be allowed to rebut. No material, written photographs, maps will be accepted by the commission or its staff at any time during this public hearing. This procedure shall be followed except at such time when the preceding officer shall, with approval of the commission members, extend such time. Everyone signed in. So adoption of the minutes for February 10th, 2026. Commissioner Flick will move adoption of meeting minutes. Okay. February 10th. We're going to back up for a second, do roll call. Uh Commissioner Josie Gupta. Commissioner Flick, present. Commissioner Stewart. President. Commissioner Steag. Here. And um I know Commissioner Poche is here. He had to step out for a second, but he is present in the building. Let's go ahead and then move for adoption of the February 10th. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Thank you. Any discussion? If not, let's go ahead and vote. Thank you. The motion passed. Now we'll move on to the first docket item 014-26. Zoning docket 014-26 is a request to modify an existing conditional use permitting reception facility to include a planned development for live entertainment. The request was deferred at the last meeting on February 10th to allow time to properly post signage on the property. And the applicant has requested deferral today to have more conversations with the community about the project. So we recommend deferral until the March 10th CPC meeting. March 10th. Okay. Thank you. So there is deferral, but we have several cards here, so we would like to go ahead and allow an opportunity to speak if anyone would like to. Um Mr. Sherman. And I'm going to call and then Matthew L'Oreal. Good afternoon, Commissioners. Mike Sherman, 800 Barone Street, New Orleans, 70113 here on behalf of the applicant with my colleague Becca Geiger, Taylor Laureo with Dicky Brennan Restaurant Group. We'd like to respectfully request deferral. Um I always feel bad when our neighbors come out and we do request a deferral, but in this instance, I think it's for good cause. We're working through an additional community meeting with our neighbors and anyone else that would like to join. We did have a well-attended NPP meeting, but more engagement on a project that's impactful is always a good thing, and they brought up some very thoughtful concerns. So hope to come back to y'all at March 10th with our neighbors and us having more advanced discussions.