[00:00:03]
[ROLL CALL]
WE WILL HAVE THE ROLL CALL. MR. HOLCOMB. CHAIRMAN, WASHINGTON.VICE CHAIRMAN GROUT. HERE. COMMISSIONER ADDISON.
HERE. COMMISSIONER BATTS. HERE COMMISSIONER BOYD.
COMMISSIONER COLEMAN. PRESENT. COMMISSIONER ELLENDER.
HERE. COMMISSIONER FOWLER. HERE. AND COMMISSIONER MAX HERE.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
2026. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MARCH 16TH MEETING? WE HAVE WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ADDISON, SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER COLEMAN.ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO APPROVING THE MEETING MINUTES? SEEING NONE.
THOSE HAVE BEEN APPROVED AT THIS TIME. I WILL READ IN THE RULES FOR CONDUCTING PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[RULES FOR CONDUCTING PUBLIC HEARINGS ]
THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING. ANY INTERESTING ANY INTERESTED MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ANY ITEM IN THIS AGENDA MAY COMMENT IN PERSON AT CITY HALL.222 SAINT LOUIS STREET, THIRD FLOOR, ROOM 348.
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DESIRING TO SPEAK ON A PARTICULAR ITEM SHOULD REFER TO A MEETING AGENDA AND COMPLETE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION PRIOR TO THE MEETING BY FILLING OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD INDICATING WHICH ITEM YOU WISH TO SPEAK AND PLACE IT IN THE DESIGNATED LOCATION PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
PROPONENTS WILL SPEAK AND THEN THE OPPONENTS.
EXCUSE ME. EACH SPEAKER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED MORE THAN 3 MINUTES.
SPEAKERS ARE REQUESTED TO LIMIT THEIR REMARKS BY AVOIDING DUPLICATION IN THEIR PRESENTATIONS.
APPLICANT WILL BE ALLOWED A TOTAL OF 5 MINUTES FOR REBUTTAL.
IN SUCH CASES, THE PROPOSAL WILL FOLLOW THE STANDARD PROCEDURE.
WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, MR.
[CONSENT AGENDA ]
BALDWIN. CONSENT ITEMS FOR DEFERRAL ITEM 4. CUP-2-26.FAITH TABERNACLE, ZACHARY 22838 PLANK ROAD. PROPOSED RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF PLANK ROAD, SOUTH OF PORT HUDSON ROAD. DEFERRED BY COUNCIL MEMBER NOEL TO JUNE 15TH.
ITEM 6 CUP-4-26. VOICES OF MERCY OUTREACH MINISTRIES 5100-5200 AND 5165 MONARCH AVENUE AND 5190 PEERLESS STREET,. PROPOSED RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MONARCH AVENUE, EAST OF KISSEL STREET. DEFERRED BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR TO JUNE 15TH. CONSENT ITEMS FOR APPROVAL.
ITEM 3. CASE 26, 59, 56 AND 5986. THUNBERG LANE TO REZONE FROM RURAL TO LIGHT COMMERCIAL 3 LC 3 ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF THUNBERG LANE, NORTH OF JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
ITEM 5 CUP-3-26 OPEN DOOR FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, 8235 GREENVILLE STREET.
ITEM 7 CS-3-26 A. J. DOBROWOLSKI TRACT 8868 LEMON ROAD.
PROPOSED FLAG LOT MINOR SUBDIVISION LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LEMMON ROAD, WEST OF PLANK ROAD.
ITEM 8 CS-4-26. A.T. BRICE PROPERTY 19190 PLANK ROAD PROPOSED FLAG LOT MINOR SUBDIVISION LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF PLANK ROAD, NORTH OF CARLTON ROAD. ITEM 9 CS-5-26 CHARLES RATCLIFF, PROPERTY 6100 ZACHARY SLAUGHTER HIGHWAY.
PROPOSED FLAG LOT MINOR SUBDIVISION LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF ZACHARY SLAUGHTER HIGHWAY, SOUTH OF HILLCREST DRIVE. ITEM 10. SP- 4-26. HOWELL VILLAGE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, 7802 HOWELL BOULEVARD AND 3700 TO 3800 HARDING BOULEVARD. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF HOWELL BOULEVARD, SOUTH OF HARDING BOULEVARD. PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF CERTIFIES THAT ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE.
AND WE HAVE RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOR THE SAME ITEM FOR THIS PROJECT.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU CHAIRMAN. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSION. I AM COUNCILMAN ANTHONY B KENNEY.
FIRST OFF, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO ON A DAILY BASIS.
[00:05:05]
YOU ALL PROBABLY SAW IT IN THE NEWS AROUND MLK WEEKEND.WE HAD A GROUNDBREAKING WITH THE GOVERNOR, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO LAID SO MUCH GROUNDWORK TO DESTROY THE FOOD INSECURITY DESERT IN NORTH BATON ROUGE. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED, MY OFFICE, TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND AS THE PROJECT PROGRESSES AS WELL, WE'LL DEFINITELY LOVE YOU ALL TO COME SEE THE PROGRESS THAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR 2. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU PROVIDE ON THIS BOARD.
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION WHO HAVE AN ITEM THEY WOULD LIKE PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE HEARD AS PART OF THE REGULAR AGENDA? ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA? SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION? MOVE MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ADDISON.
SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER COLEMAN. ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO ACCEPTING THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? SEEING NONE, THOSE ITEMS HAVE BEEN APPROVED. WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[2. Case 14-26 2639 North Street, Suite A (Deferred by Planning Commission from March 16) ]
MR. HAIRMAN, WE CAN MOVE ON TO ITEM 2. ZONING CASE 14-26.2639 NORTH STREET, SUITE A. CASE 14-26, 2639 NORTH STREET, SUITE A. PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF NORTH STREET, WEST OF NORTH 27TH STREET.
COUNCIL DISTRICT 10. COLEMAN. THE APPLICANT IS [INAUDIBLE] FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION IS MIXED USE.
THE EXISTING ZONING IS HEAVY COMMERCIAL C-2 WITH A REQUESTED ZONING OF COMMERCIAL ALCOHOL, BEVERAGE BAR AND LOUNGE. C.82. CASE 14-26, 2639 NORTH STREET, SUITE A.
STAFF CERTIFIES THAT THE PROPOSED REQUEST MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR A CHANGE OF ZONING, BEING CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, COMPATIBLE WITH SURROUNDING USES AND CONFORMING TO UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE REQUIREMENTS.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. I'M HERE REGARDING MY PROPOSAL TO OPEN A SPORTS LOUNGE.
I WANT TO BEGIN BY DIRECTLY ADDRESSING THE 2 BIGGEST CONCERNS I'VE HEARD.
ALCOHOL AND SECURITY. I UNDERSTAND WHY THOSE ISSUES MATTER, AND I TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY.
THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A DISRUPTIVE OR UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT.
IT WILL BE A CONTROLLED, PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED SPACE WITH CLEAR POLICIES IN PLACE THAT INCLUDES RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL SERVICES, STRICT ID CHECKS, AND 0 TOLERANCE FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING OR OVERSERVING.
IN TERMS OF SECURITY, I AM COMMITTED TO HAVING TRAINED STAFF ON SITE, CLEAR OPERATING PROCEDURES AND PROACTIVE MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BOTH PATRONS AND SURROUNDING RESIDENTS. MY GOAL IS TO PREVENT ISSUES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN, NOT REACT AFTERWARDS.
I'M NOT JUST OPENING A BUSINESS. I'M INVESTING IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS.
OH, AND ALSO OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND WE DID A GIVEAWAY.
I HAVE SOME PICTURES I CAN GIVE. YOU CAN HAND THOSE TO YOU CAN HAND THOSE TO COMMISSIONER MACEY AND THEY CAN BE PASSED AROUND. YES, MA'AM. WE WILL NEED TO KEEP THOSE AS PART OF RECORD. THAT'S FINE. OKAY.
THANK YOU. WE'LL DO QUESTIONS IN A FEW MOMENTS.
BUT IF YOU'RE IF YOU'RE YOU'RE DONE. WE'LL CALL THE NEXT ONE.
OKAY. THANK YOU. IN SUPPORT OF. WE HAVE RONALD RANDALL.
I'D LIKE TO SPEAK. GOOD AFTERNOON. Y'ALL DOING?
[00:10:06]
I CAME AND SPOKE LAST TIME, BUT I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SPEAK ABOUT BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.THE MAIN THING FOR US IS IT'S A SPORTS LOUNGE PLACE WHERE WE GET OFF WE CAN GO CHILL AND JUST WATCH THE GAME INSTEAD OF EVERYBODY PILING UP AT SOMEBODY'S HOUSE OR ANOTHER BUDDY'S HOUSE.
IT DON'T MATTER IF YOU WANT TO GET A COCA COLA, DR PEPPER, BOTTLED WATER, OR IF SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO DRINK A COLD BEER WHILE THEY WATCH THE GAME, THAT'S THAT'S ON THEM. BUT EVERYBODY HAS TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
AND LIKE I SAID, WE JUST LOUNGE IS THE MAIN THING.
AND WE'RE ONLY HERE BECAUSE WE'RE PUTTING LOUNGE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BE A LIQUOR STORE.
IF WE WANT TO BE A LIQUOR STORE, WE I MEAN, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WE RIGHT BY LIQUOR STORES.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE REALLY NEED TO BE REZONED FOR A LIQUOR STORE.
THAT AIN'T WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. WE JUST WANT TO HAVE A PLACE FOR WORKING MEN LIKE MYSELF AND GET OFF AND WATCH THE GAME, IF YOU WANT TO TALK WITH YOUR BUDDIES. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE 2 OTHER CARDS IN SUPPORT WHO DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK.
DEREK ROBINSON AND I'M GOING TO GET THIS WRONG.
MY APOLOGIES. DARRYL SELDERS, IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THEY ARE IN SUPPORT, BUT DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK.
I'LL NOW MOVE. I'LL NOW MOVE ON TO THE OPPONENTS.
FIRST CARD IS FOR TERRY SMITH. TERRY. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING SIR. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR FOR 3 MINUTES? YES, SIR.
GOOD EVENING. HI. HOW YOU DOING? I'M NOT USED TO SPEAKING LIKE THIS ON THE NORM.
I MOVED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD THERE WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD.
I'M 68 YEARS OLD NOW, AND I BOUGHT THE HOUSE IN 2014 FOR MY MOTHER, AND I'VE LIVED THERE EVER SINCE.
OKAY. AND I'VE SEEN WHAT ALCOHOL DOES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OVER THE YEARS.
IT HASN'T BEEN GOOD. MY STEPFATHER USED TO BE AN ALCOHOLIC.
I AM ASHAMED TO TELL Y'ALL THAT HE HAD TO SUFFER FOR THAT AS A KID.
OKAY.1 OF THE BUSINESSES HE USED TO GET HIS ALCOHOL FROM WAS AN COUNTERS ON WALL STREET.
OKAY. THIS ASSIGNMENT WANTS TO OPEN UP NEXT DOOR.
I WOULD WANT OTHER ANOTHER KID TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I DID WHEN I WAS A YOUNG KID.
OKAY. OR ANY OTHER FAMILY MEMBER. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE, WE HAVE, WE GOT AN OKAY ANCONA'S ON HERE.
70805 NORTH STREET. WE GOT ERIC'S GROCERY STORE.
3838 NORTH STREET. WE GOT PLANK ROAD MARKET. DELE OKAY.
WE GOT EASY STOP ON THE CORNER OF OF EUGENE AND FLORIDA AT 2712 FLORIDA BOULEVARD.
WE HAVE THE CORNER DELE RIGHT AT THE CORNER AT 2427 FLORIDA BOULEVARD THAT SELLS ALCOHOL.
WE HAVE THE CORNER LIQUOR STORE ON THE CORNER CONVENIENCE STORE, CIRCLE K AT 3373 FLORIDA BOULEVARD AND THE THRUWAY BY THE MID CITY HOSPITAL. WE GOT THE NIGHT CAP ON ON ON AT 116 NORTH 25TH STREET.
THIS IS 8 PEOPLE PLACES I CAN WALK FROM MY HOUSE TO GET ALCOHOL.
OKAY. AND I'M ASKING YOU ALL, PLEASE NOT REZONE THIS.
THANK Y'ALL. THANK YOU. NEXT CARD IS FOR DEXTER.
DEXTER P. GOOD EVENING. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR FOR 3 MINUTES.
Y'ALL DOING TODAY? MY NAME IS DEXTER PAUL. I LIVED IN THE AREA MY WHOLE LIFE.
I'M 24 NOW. I'VE SEEN WHAT ALCOHOL DO TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IT KEEPS THEM IN A PLACE WHERE THEY CANNOT MOVE.
AND I FEEL AS WHEN AN ADULT IS DRINKING, YOU CAN'T TELL THEM NOTHING.
[00:15:02]
AND ONCE THEY GET INTOXICATED, THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT THEY CAN DO.NO ONE CAN STOP THEM, NO MATTER THE SECURITY OR THE FORCE.
I, I'M, I'M SECURITY GUARD. AND I SEE THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.
SO I KNOW THEY HAVE CORNER STORES OPEN ALREADY THAT SELL ALCOHOL.
AND IF I COULD I WOULD CLOSE THEM ALL. BUT IT'S NOT UP TO ME.
BUT I FEEL AS MORE THAN ONE ALCOHOL SPOT ON THE SAME SPOT.
IT'S GOING TO CAUSE RUCKUS AND IT'S GOING TO BE OUT OF CONTROL.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT CARD IS FOR ROBERT SPENCELEY. I HOPE I GOT THAT RIGHT. YOU DID A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU.
I RECENTLY HAD A NEIGHBOR THAT PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK.
AND I WILL SAY THAT FROM THE, THE LIFESTYLE THAT MY NEIGHBOR LIVED, ALCOHOL PLAYED A PART IN THAT HE WAS SOMEONE THAT REALLY LIKES TO PARTY. I WOULD CONSTANTLY HAVE HIM COME HOME AND I, AND I KNOW HE'LL BE COMING HOME BECAUSE I CAN HEAR HIM COMING HOME IN HIS CAR BECAUSE HE LIKED TO PLAY HIS MUSIC LOUD AS HE, YOU KNOW, AT ALL TIMES OF THE NIGHT.
BUT AT AT THE SAME TIME WHERE HE WAS A BAD NEIGHBOR IN THAT WAY.
HE WAS A GOOD NEIGHBOR, HE LOVED HIS MOM, HE LOVED HIS HIS CHILDREN, HE LOVED HIS FAMILY.
HE WAS OUTSIDE OF, YOU KNOW PLAYING HIS MUSIC LOUD.
HE WAS A RESPECTFUL, RESPECTFUL GUY. THE THING ABOUT IT IS THAT THOSE TIMES HE WAS COMING HOME, HE WAS COMING HOME FROM FREQUENTING BUSINESSES SUCH AS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED TODAY.
HE HAD A DIFFERENT DEMEANOR ABOUT HIM AS HE'S COMING HOME FROM THESE CLUBS.
WHEN I SPOKE WITH HIM, HE TOLD ME IT'S JUST ALCOHOL.
AND I AND I TAKE HIM FOR THAT, BUT HE'S NOT ABLE TO TALK TO US RIGHT NOW.
HIS FAMILY IS NOT ABLE TO TO SHARE LIFE WITH HIM RIGHT NOW.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE THING TO BE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE PARTY IS OVER AND YOU STILL HAVE TO COME HOME AND YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT PERSON? YOU HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO INVOLVE YOURSELF WITH THAT PERSON.
HOW THAT TAKES AWAY FROM THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS.
SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ADDING TO A COMMUNITY THAT'S ALREADY FULL OF LOCATIONS THAT ALREADY HAS LOUNGES, LOUNGES LIKE THIS ALREADY HAVE PLACES WHERE YOU CONSUME ALCOHOL OR PURCHASE ALCOHOL.
WHY ADD SOMETHING ELSE TO THIS? WHAT THE, WHAT THE THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING A NEED.
AND IF THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING A NEED TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY SPEAKING, SAYING THAT THEY'RE NOT, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WILL LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT NEXT SPEAKER CARD IS FOR TORAH WICKER.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSION MEMBERS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
AND I COME FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, I GUESS.
I DON'T EVEN THINK PEOPLE STILL CALL TO REPORT BECAUSE IT'S JUST BECOME A MATTER OF FACT.
AND THEY'RE GETTING A GROCERY STORE. WE STILL DON'T HAVE A GROCERY STORE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE ARE A FOOD DESERT. WE HAVE THERMOSTATS DOWNTOWN, BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS I'M STILL OVER A MILE FROM A GROCERY STORE IN MY COMMUNITY AND WE DON'T HAVE VIABLE PLACES TO GO AND SHOP AND BUY BANANAS AND FRUIT AND THINGS FOR OUR FAMILY.
SO I'M ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE ALLOW OUR COMMUNITY TO SURVIVE AND NOT JUST TO SURVIVE, BUT TO THRIVE.
BECAUSE GROWING UP, BEING THERE, MY MOM AND DAD AGAIN MOVED THERE WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.
[00:20:09]
THAT IS SATURATED WITH USED CAR DEALERS. YOU HEARD MR. TERRY SMITH TALK ABOUT THE THE, THE ALCOHOL OUTLETS THAT ARE, THAT ARE THERE.WE HAVE ONE THAT'S ON THE CORNER ON NORTH STREET AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE RECORD OF IT. BUT WHEN WE LEFT, WE SAW THE SIGN AND WE WERE LIKE, OH MY GOD, HERE'S ANOTHER ONE WHICH WILL PUT US AT 10.
AT 1 POINT I ASKED YOU WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? WE KNOW THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO OTHER STATS THAT WE NEED OTHER THAN, YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU HAVE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN A COMMUNITY, THAT COMMUNITY FOLLOWS THAT AND EVERYTHING STARTS TO DECLINE AS A RESULT OF THAT.
IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK TO GET BETTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT IS DESERVING OF IT, IT'S IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT WAS WHERE THERE WAS. IT WAS A HEART OF COMMERCE, AND WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THAT ANYMORE.
SO THE ONLY THING THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE IS TO PLEAD AND TO ASK FOR YOUR PASSION.
AND IT DOES NOT START WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF ALCOHOL.
I'M TELLING Y'ALL, IT IS IN YOUR HANDS. IT IT IS DESTROYING OUR COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE ARE NOT LIVING, WANTING TO LIVE THERE AND NOT WANTING TO INVEST THERE.
AND IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH, YOU'LL SEE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS YET AGAIN ON THE NEWS AS A RESULT OF SOME VIOLENT CRIMES, BECAUSE WE'VE MADE DECISIONS THAT HAVE CAUSED IT TO MOVE IN A NEGATIVE DIRECTION. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND I THANK YOU. AND I PLEAD AND PRAY FOR YOUR GRACE AND YOUR MERCY.
THANK YOU TO HELP US PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
TARA. NEXT. CARD IS FOR MICHAEL WICKER. GOOD EVENING.
COMMISSIONERS. I'M JUST GOING TO COME ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF THAT.
YES, WE LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT I OWN 4 PROPERTIES TOTAL IN THIS SAME LITTLE AREA.
BUT WE NEED DIVERSITY IN THAT INVESTMENT. YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THE OVERSATURATION IN TIRE SHOPS AND OVERSATURATION IN LIQUOR STORES AND LIQUOR OUTLETS. I WAS HAPPY BEING THERE IN THE COMMUNITY LONG ENOUGH TO SEE THE DROP IN CENTER MOVE FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET ON FLORIDA BOULEVARD DOWN CLOSER TO SACRED HEARTBEAT. BUT IT'S STILL A HIGHWAY THAT'S GOING BACK AND FORTH OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ON DRUGS.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE LAST THING WE NEED ON THAT SIDE AS WE'RE TRYING TO REBUILD IS ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE IN THAT SYSTEM THAT WOULD, YOU KNOW, CAUSE MORE INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, CAUSE MORE ACTION IN, IN THE WRONG WAY.
WE ENCOURAGE GOOD BUSINESS, WE ENCOURAGE, YOU KNOW, POSITIVE THINGS.
BUT LIKE I SAID, AS A PROPERTY OWNER OF 4 PROPERTIES IN THE AREA, I YOU KNOW, WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY VALUES CONTINUE TO STAY UP AND NOT GO FURTHER DOWN BECAUSE OF ALL THE NEGATIVITY THAT COMES FROM THERE.
I WISH THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER AS WE'RE PLANNING AND DOING THE ZONING FOR ALL OF THESE AREAS, SOME TYPE OF MORATORIUM THAT STOPS CERTAIN TYPE OF BUSINESSES FROM EVEN APPLYING.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANK YOU. FINAL CARD IS FOR TIA WICKER.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WHETHER YOU WANT TO SPEAK OR DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK.
DON'T WANT TO. OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, I'LL ASK THE APPLICANT TO COME BACK FOR.
WE HAVE ONE MORE THE APPLICANT TO COME BACK FOR A 5 MINUTE REBUTTAL.
OKAY. I UNDERSTAND WHY IT MAY FEEL LIKE ADDING ANOTHER PLACE THAT SERVES ALCOHOL ISN'T NECESSARY, BUT IT ISN'T ABOUT INCREASING. ALCOHOL IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S ABOUT CREATING A CONTROLLED, PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT SERVED RESPONSIBLY.
PEOPLE ARE ALREADY CONSUMING ALCOHOL. WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS A SPACE WITH STRUCTURE, OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHICH ACTUALLY REDUCES THE RISK PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.
I TOO HAVE EXPERIENCE ALCOHOLICS IN MY FAMILY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS A CHOICE.
EVERYBODY HAS A CHOICE AND SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE UNRESPONSIBLE.
[00:25:02]
IT'S STILL A CHOICE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN UP THE FLOOR TO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION.I SAY GOOD EVENING TO ALL OF YOU. AND IT WAS SAID ABOUT LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S WHAT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ME.
AND SO WHAT I DID WAS MY DUE DILIGENCE WITH SECURING INFORMATION THAT DOCUMENTS THAT.
AND THAT IS THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT PETITION THAT WAS IN SUPPORT OF THE OPENING OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT.
AND SO THE PETITION THAT I WAS GIVEN, THERE ARE 71 PERSONS THAT ARE AROUND AND ABOUT.
AND WHEN I LOOK AT THE ADDRESSES OF THESE PLACES, THOSE THAT WERE PUT HERE ON THERE, YES, THEY ARE NEAR THE PROPOSED SITE THERE. AND ALSO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOT TO GOVERN ANY AND EVERYTHING. AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT CONTROL.
AND THAT IS A MUST DO. THE OTHER THING WAS ALL OF THOSE OTHER ESTABLISHMENT AND CONOR AND THE OTHER BUSINESSES SENT LETTERS OF SUPPORT. AND SO NORMALLY WHEN EVERYBODY IS DOING, IT'S LIKE THE HOTELS DOWN HERE IN BATON ROUGE DOWNTOWN, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY HEARD ABOUT THE HILTON AND WHAT IT WAS GOING TO BE DOING, BUT GUESS WHAT? HAD TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE OTHER HOTELS DOWN HERE TO LET THEM KNOW THEY WERE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THAT BIG ESTABLISHMENT THAT'S COMING. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS GOING TO BE DOING THIS BECAUSE THERE WILL BE LESS ROOM.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE NOISE, THERE ARE NOISE ORDINANCES THAT ARE DEFINITELY IN PLACE FOR CALL ME AND WE GO OUT. I DON'T CARE WHAT TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT IT IS, I GO AND THEN DEFINITELY DEAL WITH THE NOISE.
AND THEN IF THAT'S AN ISSUE, THEN THERE ARE REPERCUSSIONS AND CONSEQUENCES.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS, GOVERNANCE.
AND SO AND SECURITY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY JUST WALKING AROUND WITH A SHIRT ON SAYING SECURITY, WE GOT ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS, SHERIFFS, CONSTABLES AND ALL OF THAT.
AND THESE ARE THE EXPECTATIONS. AND SO WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, AND THEN IF YOU ARE IN A COMMUNITY, I KNOW I FIND MYSELF PICKING UP, CLEANING UP IN MY OWN REDOING AND POURING CONCRETE AND ALL OF THIS BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE I LIVE AND SO THAT'S WHAT I DO. AND SO WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, AND I'VE SPOKEN TO THE FOLK AND I'VE GONE OVER THERE AND I'VE DONE ALL OF THIS, I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT THIS BE APPROVED.
THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR APPROVAL. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER ADDISON. DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION COMMENTS? DO WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION? YES.
YES. YEAH. COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER. BOYD. I'M SORRY.
YOU WANTED TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION. OKAY. SO WE HAVE 1 IN OPPOSITION.
ANY OTHERS? SEEING NO OTHER OPPOSITION. THE MOTION CARRIES AND IT IS APPROVED WITH 1 OPPOSITION. IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS.
[DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS ]
[00:30:06]
THAT'S CORRECT. A FEW THINGS TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.THE 2026 LOUISIANA BROWNFIELDS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD MAY 13TH THROUGH 14TH AT THE QUEEN CASINO DOWNTOWN, THAT'S IN DISTRICT 1. AND THE NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, MAY 18TH.
THANK YOU, MR. DIRECTOR. FOR COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS.
[COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS ]
I WANT TO FIRST CONGRATULATE EMMANUEL ZANDERS, CURRENT PLANNING MANAGER, ON BEING NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.EMMANUEL OVERSEES ALL LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING APPLICATIONS WHICH COMPROMISE THE MAJORITY OF PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS. HIS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE COLLABORATING WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND EXTERNAL AGENCIES TO REVIEW AND DEVELOP PLANNING COMMISSION MATERIALS, SUCH AS STAFF REPORTS AND VICINITY MAPS. EMANUEL HAS ALSO ASSISTED ON RESEARCH AND DRAFTING OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE CHANGES, AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN AMENDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION FEE SCHEDULE.
EMANUEL DISPLAYS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND WORKS TO ENSURE THAT TASKS ARE COMPLETED ON TIME.
HE IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEAM.
CONGRATULATIONS, EMANUEL. [APPLAUSE] ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO GO WITH WITH COMMISSIONER MACY.
SINCE YOU'VE BEEN MOTIONING ALL NIGHT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? OKAY. [LAUGHTER] COMMISSIONER COLEMAN IS THE SECOND. YOU'RE THE SECOND.
ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.