Calcasieu Police Jury votes on zoning requests

Published 9:09 pm Friday, January 21, 2022

Calcasieu Parish police jurors on Thursday took action on several rezoning requests, including the approval of an RV park expansion, an apartment complex and mini warehouses.

The panel voted 8-5 to grant a request to rezone as amended property at 7447 Hedin Road from manufactured home park and agricultural to recreational vehicle park to allow for a 30-space RV park. There are currently 10 RVs at the location.

The parish Planning and Zoning Board voted 8-2 Tuesday to recommend the request be granted.

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Several residents spoke against the request. John Thornton said the roadway is not designed for the high-density and heavy traffic that comes with another 20 RVs. Jennifer Simmons said that while she supports development, she does not support more RV parks.

Other residents said they could live with the 10 existing RV spaces, but they oppose additional RVs in the area.

Voting for the rezoning were Brian Abshire, Judd Bares, Guy Brame, Randy Burleigh, Tony Guillory, Ron Hayes, Chris Landry and Ashton Richard.
Joe Andrepont, Anthony Bartie, Eddie Lewis, Mike Smith and Tony Tramonte opposed the request.

Despite opposition from several residents, the Police Jury approved a request by Parkway Village Investors to rezone the 200 block of Sallengs Road from mixed residential to multi-family residential to allow for a 48-unit apartment complex.

The planning board voted 8-1 to recommend the request be granted. Blake Soto, who spoke on the applicant’s behalf, said the apartment complex will address a lack of affordable housing and rentals in the Moss Bluff community.

The panel later voted unanimously to deny a request by Harold Heath, et ux, to rezone the 5600 block of Leger Road from mixed residential to multi-family residential to allow for a 54-unit duplex.

The planning board voted 6-3 to recommend the request be denied.

Hayes, who represents District 6, said the proposed development is close to M.J. Kaufman Elementary School. He said he strongly opposed the development because of safety concerns and it leading to a large increase in traffic. Landry, who represented the area prior to redistricting, echoed Hayes’ concerns.

The panel approved a request by Dakota Southern Industries to rezone the 400 block of Parish Road from light commercial to central business commercial to allow for mini warehouses. The planning board voted 7-2 Tuesday to recommend the request be granted. Sarah Fuselier said residents in the community want to keep the area zoned as light commercial and mentioned break-ins at nearby mini storage units.

The panel approved a request to amend an ordinance to allow for three additional RV spaces at 1080 Edwards Road.
District 11 Police Juror Roger Marcantel was absent.