Jeff Davis Parish police jurors denied a request Wednesday to rezone a 10-acre farm west of Lacassine to allow for a commercial kitchen and small events venue.

The Police Jury unanimously rejected the request from JayVon Muhammad Darbone doing business as The Suggah Shack to rezone property at 19496 Raoul Road from agriculture to commercial after hearing opposition last week from several nearby residents.

The decision echoed an Oct 2,  9-1 vote by the parish’s newly created Zoning Commission to deny the request following a public hearing.

“The zoning committee received public comments in connection with the proposed rezoning request from JayVon Muhammad for a commercial kitchen for special events, farm to table meals, birthday parties with a petting zoo and other small events,”  Police Juror Butch Lafargue said. “After receiving comments from all parties the committee voted to deny the rezoning.”

The full police jury this week upheld the Zoning Commission’s recommendation to deny the rezoning request.

“This is the first time we have done it this way,” Police Jury President Steve Eastman said explaining the separate public hearings and votes. “This gives them time to try to iron out differences.”

Resident Tina Verret, who was among those opposing the rezoning request last week, said the area has always been rural.

“My grandson is a sixth generation on that same road and it has always been agricultural,” she said.

Several other residents who live near the proposed rezoning also spoke against the request last week saying they did not want commercial activity in their rural neighborhood. Residents said the business would create safety concerns, increase traffic and place more demand on rural infrastructure.

Verret also voiced concerns this week about if the applicant could reapply and if so, how long.

“If we hadn’t voted on it they could have brought it up next month and the month after month…,” Lafargue said.  “This pretty much puts it in its place for a while.”

Police jury attorney Lance Person said if the police jury denies a zoning change no further petition may be considered for a period of 60 days.

The parish’s zoning laws also require public hearing notices be posted on the property prior to any public hearings.