St. Charles Parish Planning Board Meeting – August 7, 2026
St. Charles Parish Planning Board of Commissioners Meeting – August 7, 2026
Note: The transcript states the meeting was held on August 6, 2026, but the provided metadata indicates August 7, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date; the discrepancy is noted.
The St. Charles Parish Planning Board of Commissioners met to consider ten agenda items, including resubdivisions, rezoning requests, a special permit use, a sign waiver, and two zoning ordinance amendments. All votes were unanimous except where noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ryan Ferrag (125 St. Gertrude Lane) spoke against the resubdivision (2026-10-MIN), expressing concerns about drainage issues and road access. He stated that water from the properties drains to his house and that the road was donated for church access, not for multiple houses. Staff clarified that the resubdivision itself does not include housing plans; future building permits would require drainage review.
- Jack and Janelle Pizzolata (219 Rose Street, Hornville) spoke against the resubdivision (2026-11-MIN), stating that unresolved concerns about access and rights on Marie Key Lane led them to withhold approval. They noted that the applicant had not responded to their lawyer’s request for further discussion.
- Nikki Beckemeyer (17311 Highway 631, Zalman) opposed the rezoning (2026-9-R) from R1AM to C3, arguing that the area is predominantly residential and that a lower-intensity zoning would be more appropriate.
- Mr. Pillier (Dukay Drive, Destrahan) spoke in favor of the zoning ordinance amendment (2026-2-ORD), praising the work done. He also offered a suggestion for minor wording clarification on the flood ordinance amendment (2026-4-ORD), requesting that the language specifying the Sunset Drainage District exception be made clearer.
Discussion Items
- 2026-10-MIN (Resubdivision by PDJ Enterprises LLC): The applicant proposed splitting Lot 9B into three lots. Two lots met all standards; the third (9B3) was only 25.63 feet wide, requiring a waiver from the 50-foot minimum width. Staff did not object to the waiver and recommended approval. The applicant noted the property was damaged by Hurricane Ida and the resubdivision would allow productive use. The public hearing included a comment on drainage; staff explained that future building permits would require drainage review. The board voted unanimously to approve.
- 2026-11-MIN (Resubdivision by Charlie Fulmar Testamentary Trust): The applicant sought to split lot E1A1B into three lots. Proposed lot E1A1E did not meet the 50-foot width requirement, and the other lots would be landlocked without public street frontage. Staff recommended denial due to unresolved access issues with adjacent property owners who objected to using the existing servitude. The applicant (Kelly Jervey) stated that the lot in question would not be developed until a new street opens, and that they had no plans for additional homes. After discussion, the board voted to postpone the item to the next meeting (September 3) to allow the parties to reach a written agreement.
- 2026-7-R (Rezoning by William Sigman): The request to rezone a split-zoned parcel from R1A and R1AM to C3 (highway commercial) was tied to a later special permit. Staff found it met two of three criteria and recommended approval. No public comments. The board voted unanimously to approve.
- 2026-9-R (Rezoning by PDJ Enterprises LLC): The applicant requested rezoning of the former St. Gertrude Church campus from R1AM to C3. Staff recommended approval. The applicant explained that the property was shuttered after Hurricane Ida and rezoning would allow it to become functional. One public comment opposed the change. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval; final decision rests with the Parish Council.
- 2026-10-R (Rezoning by White Boot Investments): The applicant sought to rezone a 2.65-acre portion from C3 to R1M to consolidate the zoning. Staff recommended approval. No public comments. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval.
- 2026-6-SPU (Special Permit – Overflow Vehicle Storage by William Sigman): The request was for overflow storage of boats and trailers associated with Outcast Marine, on a parcel that required previous rezoning. Staff recommended approval with three stipulations: approval of the rezoning, submission of a revised landscaping plan (or waiver of buffer requirement), and use limited strictly to overflow storage for Outcast Marine boats and trailers. The applicant agreed to comply. The board voted unanimously to approve with the stipulations.
- 2026-7-SPU (Accessory Dwelling Unit by Manuel and Antonette Rodriguez): The proposed ADU met all criteria; an existing building would be used. Staff recommended approval. No public comments. The board voted unanimously to approve.
- Permit 51265 (Sign Waiver – Signs Plus Ink): The applicant requested a waiver for an attached sign size exceeding the Highway 90 Corridor Overlay Zone limit. A previous request for 108.49 sq ft was denied; the revised request was for 71 sq ft. Staff noted the reduction. The applicant argued that the sign was necessary due to limited visibility. No public comments. Commissioner Stephen Durand abstained due to a conflict. The board voted unanimously to approve the waiver.
- 2026-2-ORD (Zoning Ordinance Amendment – C2/C3 Districts): The amendment updates definitions, use regulations, and supplemental regulations for C2 and C3 zoning districts. Staff noted it was a structural reorganization without affecting land rights. Public comment was supportive. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Parish Council.
- 2026-4-ORD (Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance – Sunset Drainage District): The amendment re-establishes the 1992 flood insurance study as the effective FIRM for the Sunset Drainage District, with a minimum building elevation of 0 feet (no lower than sea level). Staff explained that the current dual-map system led to 207 variances and unreasonable elevations (8–11 feet above ground). The change would eliminate variances and provide a practical standard. A public comment suggested clarifying language to specify that the 2012 map prevails outside the Sunset District. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval, with the request that the clarifying language be considered. Existing permits and approved variances would be honored.
Key Outcomes
- 2026-10-MIN: Approved unanimously.
- 2026-11-MIN: Postponed unanimously to the September 3, 2026 meeting.
- 2026-7-R: Recommended approval unanimously; final decision by Parish Council.
- 2026-9-R: Recommended approval unanimously; final decision by Parish Council.
- 2026-10-R: Recommended approval unanimously; final decision by Parish Council.
- 2026-6-SPU: Approved unanimously with stipulations.
- 2026-7-SPU: Approved unanimously.
- Permit 51265: Approved unanimously (with one abstention).
- 2026-2-ORD: Recommended approval unanimously.
- 2026-4-ORD: Recommended approval unanimously, with a note to consider a clarifying wording change.
- The board also voted unanimously to approve old business/new business and adjourn.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome everyone. This is the St. Charles Parish Planning Board of Commissioners meeting for August 6, 2026. If you would please uh silence all devices for the duration of the proceedings. And if you would remove hats, uh, we will stand for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by or moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America through the Republic which we stand one nation under God. First item on the agenda is 2026-10-MIN requested by PDJ Enterprises LLC for resubdivision of one lot into three 17292 LA631 in the Zalman zoning district R1AM Council District 4. The applicant requests resubdivision of lot 9B into lots 9B1, 9B2, and 9B3. Proposed lots 9B1 and 9B2 meet the zoning regulations along with the geometric standards. Proposed lot 9B3 meets the minimum minimum area and the existing structure meets applicable setbacks. However, at only 25.63 feet wide, it does not meet the minimum width requirement of the R1AM zoning district, which is 50 feet. The applicant has requested a waiver from the width requirement, which the department does not object to. It should be noted that if approved, development of these lots via special exception use could allow for up to a total of nine dwellings on these lots. Um the department does recommend approval. Thank you. Is the applicant present. Good evening, Lewis Othama. If hearing on behalf of the applicant, my address is 13919 River Road, Suite 300 in Luling. This is a pretty straightforward resubdivision to create the three lots that were mentioned. But the property, as everyone knows, after Ida went from sacred to shuttered, and it's been sitting there, declining, and this is an opportunity for it to be put back into some productive use. So I'm here to answer any questions you may have, but would appreciate your support. Thank you. Any questions from Stalma? Okay, thank you. Okay, thank you. Thank you. This time we're gonna open the public hearing for 2026-10-MIN. Anyone in the audience here to speak either for or against if you'd please state your name and address for the record. Ryan Ferrag 125 St. Gergroe Lane, right next to where they're building the properties. Um I already got water in my house a couple of stones ago. And if they build up more houses right there, they don't have drainage on either side. All of the water drains to me. Now planning a zone and saw this firsthand. They witnessed the water. It all drains to me, and it's my ditch. Not nobody else's dead. I have to maintain it. I gotta take care of this. And then San Gertrude Lane used to be part of my property. It was donated to the church for access to the graveyard, not access to five houses. We maintain the rule. Not them. That's my only objective. Other than that, I don't care what they do with the prop. Okay, thank you. And at this time we don't have any plans for houses. It's just a rezoning request. Yeah. Resubdivision.
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