Council updates planning code: allowable stormwater plants and wetlands language revised

The Tangipahoa Parish Council voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to amend Chapter 36 of the parish planning and development code on two related fronts: allowable plant lists for stormwater management areas and replacement of the phrase 'wetlands jurisdictional determination' with 'wetlands delineation by an environmental specialist.'

Council members said the Development Review Committee (DRC) recommended the plant list change and that the wetlands language matches revisions already adopted by the drainage board. The ordinance updating allowable plants (Ordinance 25-41) and the wetlands delineation ordinance were moved, seconded and passed by roll call; each vote recorded a 10–0 result.

Council members did not record additional public testimony on these items during the hearing. The changes ensure consistent terminology between parish planning documents and drainage board rules and require environmental delineation be performed by a qualified environmental specialist, as stated in the ordinance language adopted by council.

The ordinances will be implemented through the parish’s planning and development processes, and staff will align technical checklists and permit review procedures with the new language.