City Planning Commission Meeting Summary – August 11, 2026

The City Planning Commission met on August 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order with a roll call of commissioners present. After the reading of public hearing rules, the commission deferred the adoption of the July 28, 2026 meeting minutes to August 25, 2026 due to unavailability. The commission then considered ten docket items, including zoning changes, conditional uses, and subdivision requests, with decisions ranging from unanimous approvals to denials.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zoning Docket 074/26: Judith Stone Collins, a neighbor at 1208 Calhoun Street, spoke in support of the project, noting the property's beauty and adequate parking. She expressed excitement that the exterior would remain unchanged.
• Zoning Docket 075/26: Candace Williams (owner of GNC Meat Market) and Eldridge Stevens (property owner) spoke in favor of allowing packaged alcohol sales, emphasizing community need, lack of nuisance, and support from neighbors. No opposition was voiced.
• Zoning Docket 076/26: Mark Benson, a resident at 1625 Pauger Street, opposed the hotel, citing past noise from illegal short-term rentals, parking difficulties, and a preference for affordable housing. He expressed frustration that business interests were prioritized over residents.
• Zoning Docket 078/26: Pastor Eric Ned (First Emanuel Baptist Church) and developer Joe Mann spoke in support of the parking lot rezoning, noting the church's financial need and the hotel's agreement to share parking for church events. No opposition was heard.
• Zoning Docket 079/26: Multiple speakers (Jason Seidman, Eusynthia Jean-Louis, Ryan Cole, Bonnie Wilson, Michelle Leckard, Margaret Floyd) all spoke in support of the restaurant, with Ms. Jean-Louis raising concerns about noise and pest control mitigation. No opposition was recorded.
• Zoning Docket 080/26: Nicole Weber spoke in support of the hotel reuse, noting the buildings had been vacant for decades and the developer had won preservation awards.

Discussion Items

• Deferral of Minutes: The commission voted to defer the July 28, 2026 meeting minutes to August 25, 2026. Motion carried with all commissioners voting yes (by voice vote).
• Zoning Docket 074/26 – Farr Family Trust: Request for conditional use to expand a multi-family dwelling at 1227-1229 Calhoun Street. Applicant sought modification of staff's proviso to allow a third bathroom on the second floor if a homestead exemption is obtained. Staff noted that the Board of Zoning Adjustments had previously approved six out of seven identical waiver requests. The commission approved with a modified proviso: if the property owner obtains a homestead exemption, proviso two (limiting bathrooms to two and a half) shall not apply. Vote: 6-0 (all yes).
• Zoning Docket 075/26 – Eldridge Stephens: Request for zoning change from HU-B1 to HU-MU and conditional use to sell packaged alcoholic beverages at 3315-3319 North Galvez Street. Staff recommended denial, citing spot zoning concerns and the store's small size (1,560 sq ft). The commission discussed inconsistency with surrounding zoning. A motion to support staff's denial received 4 yes and 2 no (Commissioner Jordan and Whitry voted no), but needed 5 votes to carry. No new motion was made, resulting in an effective denial. The application will go to City Council.
• Zoning Docket 076/26 – Pauger McShane, LLC: Conditional use for a 30-bedroom, 5-unit hotel at 1722-1732 Pauger Street in the HMC-2 district. Staff recommended approval, noting the corridor's suitability. No parking provided on-site; valet service planned. The applicant highlighted strong NPP support. The commission approved with three provisos. Vote: 6-0.
• Zoning Docket 077/26 – Trinity Church: Amendment to expand the Trinity School campus to include a nursery school building on a combined lot at 1223 Josephine Street and adjacent lots. Staff recommended approval. The applicant confirmed the building will be one story (as requested by a neighbor). The commission added a proviso limiting the building to one story. Vote: 6-0.
• Zoning Docket 078/26 – First Emanuel Baptist Church: Request for zoning change to HU-MU and conditional use for a principal parking lot (47-49 spaces) at 1900 Carondelet Street, intended for the Warbler Hotel and church use. Staff recommended denial, but the commission voted to approve after the applicant argued it was not a spot zone (adjacent to HU-MU parcels) and that the lot had been used for parking for over 20 years. A waiver of perimeter landscaping along one street frontage was also granted. Vote: 5-1 (Commissioner Steeg voted no).
• Zoning Docket 079/26 – 4001 Magazine Owner, LLC: Conditional use for a standard restaurant at 4001 Magazine Street, converting a former snowball stand. Staff recommended approval with three provisos (an erroneous fourth was removed). The applicant committed to a sound management plan and hours: Sunday-Wednesday 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 6 a.m.-12 a.m. Approved unanimously. Vote: 6-0.
• Zoning Docket 080/26 – Sanaro, LLC: Conditional use for a 15-bedroom hotel at 714-716 Carondelet Street, converting a vacant building with off-street parking on Girod Street. Staff recommended approval with two provisos. No public opposition. Approved unanimously. Vote: 6-0.
• Subdivision Docket 074/26 – Lake Catherine Island Marina, LLC: Resubdivision of two lots into three lots at 26146-26180 Chef Menteur Highway. Staff recommended approval with one proviso. The applicant was present but did not speak. Approved unanimously. Vote: 6-0.
• Subdivision Ratifications: A list of subdivision applications eligible for administrative approval was ratified. Motion carried unanimously. Vote: 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes deferred to August 25, 2026.
• Zoning Docket 074/26 approved with modified proviso (6-0).
• Zoning Docket 075/26 effectively denied after motion to approve staff denial failed 4-2; no further motion.
• Zoning Docket 076/26 approved (6-0).
• Zoning Docket 077/26 approved with additional one-story proviso (6-0).
• Zoning Docket 078/26 approved against staff recommendation (5-1).
• Zoning Docket 079/26 approved (6-0).
• Zoning Docket 080/26 approved (6-0).
• Subdivision Docket 074/26 approved (6-0).
• Subdivision ratifications approved (6-0).

The meeting adjourned.