Calcasieu Parish police jurors on Thursday voted 7-5 to approve rezoning 1.6 acres of Moss Bluff property from light commercial to multi-family residential to allow for the construction of a multi-family development, including eight duplexes and two single units.

The panel’s vote will allow Richey’s 3-D Construction LLC to build the development at 564 Parish Road, in the Ward 1 area. The vote overturned a 6-5 vote by the parish’s Planning and Development Board on Tuesday to deny the request.

Terry Mooney, a Moss Bluff resident and member of the Ward 1 Economic Development Board, said he opposed the rezoning because the area has “very little commercial opportunities available.” He said 15 businesses are along the route.

“If we in Moss Bluff are going to have any desire for revenue, we need businesses,” Mooney said. “If we continue to allow our commercial areas to be made residential, then we lose that opportunity.”

Elton Richey with Richey’s 3-D Construction said there are plenty of areas zoned commercial within Ward 1 that have not yet been developed. He said the project could cost about $1.6 million to develop.

“I’m not taking away from the commercial development in Moss Bluff … by applying for a rezoning for 1.6 acres,” he said.

District 5 Police Juror Nic Hunter said he supported the rezoning because it would not take away from future commercial development in Moss Bluff and surrounding areas.

“I don’t understand why we’re not going to let this guy do what he wants with his property,” he said.

District 14 Police Juror Hal McMillin said the duplexes will be needed with the projected growth from anticipated industrial projects in Southwest Louisiana.

District 15 Police Juror Les Farnum said he views rental property “as a business … that’s going to generate a lot of revenue and tax money.”

Voting to approve the rezoning were Farnum, Hunter, McMillin, Dennis Scott, Tony Stelly, Ray Taylor and Sandra Treme.

Francis Andrepont, Elizabeth Griffin, Tony Guillory, Kevin Guidry and James Mayo voted against the rezoning.

An earlier motion to uphold the zoning board’s decision failed with five “yes” votes and seven “no” votes.

Police Jurors Guy Brame and Chris Landry were not present at the meeting.

(American Press Archives)