Covington Planning Commission approves subdivision to let tenants buy homes; Hudson recuses, officers re-elected
November 30, 2024 | Covington, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
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The City of Covington Planning Commission on Monday approved an administrative subdivision (Case No. 20) to divide Lots 7 and 8, Square 14 into Lots 8A, 8B, 7A, 7B and 7C, a change intended to allow the five occupied, grandfathered structures on the property to become individually owned.
Commissioner Hudson declared a conflict and recused himself from the discussion and vote, citing “a personal interest in the project.” City staff described the plan as an effort to enable the existing tenants to buy their homes; a staff member summarized the proposal as “an attempt to take existing grandfathered structures and to subdivide the property upon which they’re located to allow the existing tenants of these five occupied structures to buy their homes.”
The petitioner, identified in the packet as West Thirty’s Redemption Company and represented in the meeting by Brian Burns, said the application documents explain the proposal and offered to answer questions: “I think it’s fairly well explained in our application,” Burns said.
After brief discussion, a motion to approve the administrative subdivision was made, seconded and adopted by roll call. Commissioners Boone, Davidson, Villery and Bullock voted yes; Commissioner Hudson did not participate due to his recusal. No conditions or amendments were recorded in the transcript.
In other business, the commission held nominations and elections for officers. The incumbent chair was nominated and re-elected by roll call; the current vice chair was also nominated to continue and re-elected. The commission then approved the 2025 meeting calendar and adjourned the Planning Commission session. The chair subsequently opened a Zoning Commission meeting, for which commissioners approved August minutes, elected officers and adjourned.
The meeting record lists the petitioner’s owner names as Carl and Donna Celestine. The transcript does not record additional public testimony or objections to the subdivision.
Commissioner Hudson declared a conflict and recused himself from the discussion and vote, citing “a personal interest in the project.” City staff described the plan as an effort to enable the existing tenants to buy their homes; a staff member summarized the proposal as “an attempt to take existing grandfathered structures and to subdivide the property upon which they’re located to allow the existing tenants of these five occupied structures to buy their homes.”
The petitioner, identified in the packet as West Thirty’s Redemption Company and represented in the meeting by Brian Burns, said the application documents explain the proposal and offered to answer questions: “I think it’s fairly well explained in our application,” Burns said.
After brief discussion, a motion to approve the administrative subdivision was made, seconded and adopted by roll call. Commissioners Boone, Davidson, Villery and Bullock voted yes; Commissioner Hudson did not participate due to his recusal. No conditions or amendments were recorded in the transcript.
In other business, the commission held nominations and elections for officers. The incumbent chair was nominated and re-elected by roll call; the current vice chair was also nominated to continue and re-elected. The commission then approved the 2025 meeting calendar and adjourned the Planning Commission session. The chair subsequently opened a Zoning Commission meeting, for which commissioners approved August minutes, elected officers and adjourned.
The meeting record lists the petitioner’s owner names as Carl and Donna Celestine. The transcript does not record additional public testimony or objections to the subdivision.
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