New Orleans City Planning Commission Meeting Summary - February 24, 2026

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.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the February 10, 2026 meeting were adopted by a unanimous vote. A roll call was taken before the vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 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:

  • Lee DuPont (2435 General Pershing) – Opposed, citing parking, noise, and traffic concerns. He suggested amendments to limit events to 2 a.m., cap attendance at 700, and require all events to be indoors.
  • Gail Thomas (multiple speakers) – Opposed, expressing that the venue would destroy the family-oriented neighborhood and bring crime.
  • Julia Littlejohn (via representative) – Opposed, concerned about parking, traffic on LaSalle Street, and noise from outdoor entertainment.
  • Joel Carraza (2316 Jenna Street) – Opposed, describing dangerous traffic congestion from event vehicles.
  • Neil Lee Pye (2423 General Pershing) – Opposed, worried about safety, noise, and public intoxication at late hours.
  • Annie Jane Robinson (2424 Jenna) – Opposed, stating that parking is already a massive issue and that the venue is inconsiderate.
  • Toy Carter (2316 Jenna Street) – Opposed, arguing the cumulative impact of developments has not been adequately addressed and that the proposal fails to meet conditional use standards.
  • Susan Johnson (2822 LePage Street) – Opposed, questioning the use of a planned development to bypass public need for a conditional use, and supported a community benefit agreement.
  • Applicant (Mike Sherman, 800 Barone Street) – Requested deferral to continue community engagement. He stated there is no intention to operate until 4 a.m. or host 1,000 people, and that the 4 a.m. ending time was copied from the CZO. He noted that the fire marshal capacity is 1,183 but the venue advertises for 650. He also stated they secured over 50 parking spaces from Ochsner.

• 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:

  • Lavon Jackson (4802 Shalomar Drive) – Opposed, citing traffic, property tax increases, and that the site is a rental, not owner-operated. She submitted a petition with 50-100 signatures.
  • Tammy Vicente (4732 Babylon) – Opposed, concerned that a future tenant could operate a different business if the property is rezoned. Staff clarified that the approval is a conditional use only for a child care center, not a rezoning.
  • Dawn Abair (President, East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission) – Opposed, noting the neighborhood's concerns about traffic and that alternatives exist on commercial corridors.
  • Lenore Ancalord (4747 Babylon Street) – Opposed, stating she has lived there since 1975 and does not want commercial use in the quiet residential area.
  • Claudia Celestan (5706 West Lewis Prima) – Opposed, concerned about traffic and the limited yard space for children.
  • Nick Kindle (Director of Facilities for Agenda for Children) – Supporting the application, noting that child care centers are institutional uses common in residential neighborhoods and that the capacity (approximately 20-25 children) is regulated by the Department of Education.
  • Property owner Tony Dixon (11409 North St. Andrew Circle) – Stated the property will remain residential and that Ms. Cooley intends to purchase it.

• 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.

Discussion Items

• 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.

Key Outcomes

• Deferral Granted: Zoning Docket 014-26 deferred to March 10, 2026, for additional community engagement.
• Approved (with modifications): Zoning Docket 015-26 – Zoning change to HMU and conditional use for packaged alcohol sales (4-2).
• Approved: Zoning Docket 016-26 – Conditional use for a community center at Third and Loyola (5-0).
• Approved (with two staff and five additional provisos): Zoning Docket 017-26 – Wine shop at 802 Fern Street/Maple Street (unanimous).
• Approved (without variance): Zoning Docket 018-26 – Hotel on Iberville Street (5-1).
• Denied (de facto denial): Zoning Docket 019-26 – Child care center at 4701 Babylon Street (3-2).
• Approved: Street Name Change 001-26 – West Robert E. Lee Boulevard to Zephyr Court (unanimous). Staff will correct the map to show the street ending at West End Boulevard.
• Approved: Subdivision ratification for one subdivision (unanimous).
• Adjourned: The meeting adjourned after the last item.