St. Charles Parish Council Meeting - April 6, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council met on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:06 PM in the Council Chambers, Hahnville. Eight council members were present (Mobley, Fonseca, Wilson, Skiba, Pilié, Comardelle, O'Daniels, Fisher); Michele deBruler was absent. The meeting included proclamations, reports, public hearings, and a contentious debate on a proposed data center moratorium that ultimately failed.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the March 16, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously (8-0-1).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Center Moratorium (Item 2026-0114): Multiple residents and stakeholders spoke during the public hearing on the amended moratorium:
  • Joey Edwards (Norco) questioned shortening the moratorium from 12 to 8 months, expressing concern about lack of justification.
  • Rebecca Hillburn (Destrehan) asked for rationale behind the reduction and requested consideration of protections for quality of life, power grid, water access, and enforcement.
  • Joseph Coco (Destrehan) supported the moratorium, arguing that the proposed ordinance does not adequately address noise, water consumption, or grid impact, and that AI data centers create few local jobs.
  • Ray Gregson (Luling), representing the River Region Chamber of Commerce, opposed the moratorium, stating it sends a message that St. Charles Parish is not open for business and that a targeted ordinance already under development is a better approach.
  • Larry Hand (Entergy Louisiana) urged rejection of the moratorium, highlighting the economic benefits and ratepayer relief from data centers, and warned of a chilling effect on investment.
  • Debra Bicker (St. Rose) raised concerns about water toxicity, noise, and that data centers tend to locate in lower-income areas.
  • Marcia Culver (Montz) and Kellee Butler (St. Rose) expressed worries about loss of rural character, noise from generators, and insufficient setbacks.
  • Barry Hall (Harahan) questioned whether the council had studied economic benefits and property value impacts, and criticized shortening the moratorium.

Discussion Items

• Special Business (Proclamations): Seven proclamations were read and accepted, recognizing Emile Broussard III (River Parishes Transit Authority), Ed Griffin (Planning & Zoning), First Responders Crawfish Cook-Off Day (April 11), National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12-18), Trash Bash Cleanup Day (April 18), National Volunteer Week/Prime Time Seniors Volunteer Day (April 23), and Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17). Speakers included recipients and parish officials.
• Library Board of Control Report: Director Leann Benedict reported on library statistics: 41,624 registered borrowers, 188,000+ physical items, 81,000+ digital resources, 136,813 patron visits in 2025 (up 2.3%), and 239,202 items checked out. The new Hahnville branch design (9.1M budget) is at 90% estimate with a planned groundbreaking in 2026 and opening in spring 2027. A makerspace opened at West Regional Library. Councilmember Fonseca thanked staff; Councilmember Wilson asked about hours (evening/Saturday to be determined) and services like state park passes.
• Parish President Remarks: President Jewell reported on the Civil Service Awards Banquet (employee of the year tie), United Way Bridge Run, upcoming ribbon cutting for the Dow Discovery Deck (April 14), pump station upgrades, clarifier maintenance, a hospital intensive outpatient program, the annual rabies vaccination drive (April 19, $10 per pet), Trash Bash registration, and an America 250 Philharmonic Orchestra event (April 18). Sales taxes were up 7% in February and nearly 11% year-to-date.
• Planning and Zoning Petitions:
  • 2026-0104 (C-2 to C-3, Mimosa Park): Planning & Zoning Director Michael Albert requested a table because the associated special permit was denied. Council voted to table (8-0-1).
  • 2026-0105 (M-1 to R-1M, Pecan Grove): Approved unanimously (8-0-1) to allow an RV park extension to comply with development requirements.
• Ordinances - Public Hearings:
  • 2026-0106 (No Parking decals, Lakewood West): Approved (8-0-1). Public Works Director Miles Bingham explained decals on concrete curbs. Councilmember Fonseca noted resident safety concerns.
  • 2026-0112 (School Zone Improvements, $94,990): Approved (8-0-1). Bingham detailed a two-phase engineering contract (21 school locations). Councilmember Fisher emphasized the project's scope and need for state coordination. President Jewell noted internal engineering capacity constraints.
  • 2026-0113 (Ama Park Renovations Amendment, $25,175): Approved (8-0-1). Parks Director Duane Foret explained the amendment covers design for a covered basketball/volleyball court. Councilmembers Fonseca and Skiba noted it was the top resident request.
  • 2026-0114 (Data Center Moratorium): A motion to amend the ordinance (reduce from 12 to 8 months, add “specific data center regulations by the St. Charles Parish Council”) passed 5-3 (Mobley, Wilson, Pilié, Comardelle, O'Daniels yes; Fonseca, Skiba, Fisher no). Following public comment, a further amendment to add “cloud or hyperscale” failed for lack of a second. A motion to table failed 3-5. The final vote on the amended ordinance (12-month originally, now 8-month moratorium) resulted in a 3-5 defeat (Wilson, Pilié, O'Daniels yes; Mobley, Fonseca, Skiba, Comardelle, Fisher no). The moratorium did not pass.
• Resolutions:
  • 2026-0107, 0108, 0109 (Wastewater Environmental Audit Reports): Approved unanimously (8-0-1 each). Director deGeneres summarized scores: Hahnville (80), Destrehan (75), Luling Oxidation Pond (560 points, with effluent issues). Upgrades planned.
  • 2026-0111 (Compliance Questionnaire): Approved (8-0-1). Finance Director Dussom noted it starts the annual audit.
  • 2026-0123 (Conservation Servitude Modification for Entergy Transmission Line): Approved (8-0-1). Legal Director Oubre explained it modifies a 1999 servitude over 370 acres, pulling 29 acres for a transmission line from Waterford to Jefferson Parish. Entergy’s John Shortess answered questions.
  • 2026-0126 (Housing Authority Conversion Plan): Approved (8-0-1). Executive Director Jackson described transitioning 129 public housing units to a project-based voucher program under RAD/Section 18 blend. CHAP approval received; no local cash required. Renovations planned for Destrehan, Hahnville, and Boutte units, with no displacement. Councilmembers thanked Jackson.
• Appointments: Kevin Gauthier was appointed to the St. Charles Parish Communications District as the Emergency Medical Services representative (8-0-1), filling the vacancy of Huey Marcel whose term expires August 19, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Data Center Moratorium defeated: The proposed 8-month moratorium failed on final vote (3-5). An alternative zoning ordinance regulating data centers is proceeding through the Planning Commission and is expected for a council vote on May 18, 2026.
• Zoning petitions: One tabled (2026-0104), one approved (2026-0105).
• All other ordinances and resolutions passed unanimously with 8 yeas and 1 absence (deBruler). Enactment numbers: 26-4-1 (rezoning), 26-4-2 (no parking decals), 26-4-3 (school zone engineering), 26-4-4 (Ama park amendment), 6899-6904 (resolutions).
• Next regular meeting: Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.