After deferring the decision last month, the Lake Charles City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to send the modified plans for a development in District E back to the Planning and Zoning Committee.

Background

The proposed development garnered controversy after Developer David Minton filed an appeal to direct the Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous decision to deny the application in June to the council.

This decision was made after hearing about residents’ concerns – flooding, drainage, privacy, lot density and safety – and discussing the plans with Minton, according to the June meeting minutes.

The original plans for the development included 16 duplex townhomes – 32 units – to be sold and individually titled. The development would be located on an approximate 2.4-acre lot on the northwest corner of W. Claude Street and Ernest Street.

At the council meeting in July, Minton presented a modified plan that included 12 two-story duplex townhomes – 24 units – a stormwater detention system and a pocket park with a community orchid and garden for public use. The new plan also addressed setback concerns.

The council voted to defer the vote on the development after hearing from resident Tim Bowles. He alerted them of a gravity drainage system that would be negatively impacted by the development.

Councilmember Stuart Weatherford, District E, stated the deferral would give the council time to fully investigate the new plans.

August Meeting

Minton said the plan he was presenting at the August meeting included a “slight modification to it to reflect the gravity drainage requirements.”

Weatherford proposed the council bounce the decision back to the commission due to the “substantially different” plan, believing it can be “vetted better” by the commission.

He explained that he should have had it referred back to the commission in July.

“A discussion on an item like this should be what was voted on by the zoning board,” he said. “I really think that it’s difficult for us to make an informed and intelligent decision on this because of the restraints or the constrictions of this plot, and I really think it’s better handled at the zoning commission level.”

The development plan will be presented to the commission on Monday, Sept. 9.

Procedure Changes

Weatherford believes that the appeal process needs to be changed moving forward.

To address his “bigger picture concern,” the council unanimously agreed to approve an amendment to the policy.

From now on, when an appealed plan that is denied by the commission is modified, it is brought back to the commission instead of going before the council.