Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting - April 17, 2026

The Zoning Board of Adjustment convened on April 17, 2026 (though the transcript records the date as April 16, 2026) to hear and decide six variance requests. All six were approved unanimously by the board members present (Simmons, Maddox, Lambert, L'Oreal). The meeting also included a motion to table the approval of previous meeting minutes pending clarification of procedural rules.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patrick Jackson (applicant for Supreme Developers LLC) spoke in favor of reducing the rear yard setback for a townhome project at 21 Baraka Street, explaining that staggering the units required a two-foot reduction.
• Tim Trag Sr. spoke on behalf of his son Tim Trag to request a front yard setback reduction for a carport at 401 West B Street, citing his son's multiple sclerosis and the need for shade and cooler car temperatures.
• Catherine Heinrich (applicant) spoke in favor of a variance to construct a detached two-car carport with storage at 200 South Desterhand Avenue, noting no obstruction to the street.
• Multiple speakers spoke in favor of Life Fellowship Church's variance to reduce minimum building elevation: Claire Jet (applicant), Elliot Mod Air, and Lloyd Joseph Fricky, who gave a history of the church and the need for expansion.
• Queen Hunter spoke in favor of reducing the minimum building elevation for a mobile home replacement at 151 JB Green Road, citing a previous similar variance granted in 2017, concerns about wind damage from higher elevation, and her son's developmental delays.
• Leanne Wood spoke in favor of reducing the minimum building elevation for a single-family home at 300 Grand Bayou Road, citing safety concerns for her child with febrile seizures, elderly parents with mobility issues, and examples of other homes on the street built at lower elevation.

Discussion Items

• Case 2026-9 ZBA (Supreme Developers LLC): Request to reduce the rear yard setback from 20 feet to 18 feet for a staggered townhome development. The board discussed the need for the variance due to staggering requirements. Approved unanimously.
• Case 2026-13 ZBA (Tim Trag): Request to reduce the front yard setback for an attached carport on a corner lot. Discussion included concerns about traffic sight lines and the carport's cantilevered design. The applicant noted the carport would not be closer to the street than the existing fence. Approved unanimously.
• Case 2026-14 ZBA (Keith & Catherine Heinrich): Request to reduce the front yard setback and allow an accessory structure in the front yard for a carport/storage. The board questioned the distance from the road (17 feet) and the enclosure. Approved unanimously.
• Case 2026-21 ZBA (Life Fellowship Church): Request to reduce the minimum building elevation from 7 feet NAVD 88 to 12 inches above the center line of the street for a new church building. Speakers noted the adjacent existing church building is at +12, the parish spent millions on levee elevation, and the property meets all other setbacks. Approved unanimously.
• Case 2026-16 ZBA (Queen Hunter): Request to reduce the minimum building elevation from 6 feet NAVD 88 to 12 inches above the center line for a mobile home replacement. The applicant noted a similar variance was granted in 2017, and higher elevation would increase wind damage risk. Approved unanimously.
• Case 2026-17 ZBA (Andrew Wood): Request to reduce the minimum building elevation from 8 feet NAVD 88 to 12 inches above the center line for a single-family home. The applicant cited health and safety concerns for a child with febrile seizures and elderly parents. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All six variance requests were approved unanimously by the board (Simmons, Maddox, Lambert, L'Oreal voting yes).
• The board tabled the approval of the previous meeting minutes due to procedural concerns. A motion to table was made by Maddox, seconded by Simmons, and passed unanimously.
• The chair noted a training session was expected but not received; they will arrange training before the next meeting.
• The chair and another member volunteered to meet with the planning department to clarify expectations for minutes.