Parish council introduces and extends several development moratoria pending drainage and traffic studies

Council members on May 7 opened discussion and introduced a series of moratorium ordinances affecting various Council districts and unincorporated areas, citing ongoing traffic, drainage and sewer studies and local flooding concerns.

The items discussed included ordinance calendar numbers 8089, 8090, 8091, 8092 and 8093 and related moratoriums that would pause certain rezoning, subdivision and permit actions in specified geographic boundaries (for example, areas above Interstate 12 and below Highway 36 in particular districts, parts of Alton subdivision, Angelic Estates streets, and areas bounded by Interstate 12, Highway 59, Sharp Road and Highway 190). The clerk explained these are amendments or extensions to existing moratorium language and in some cases technical corrections to avoid unintentionally affecting existing planned unit developments.

Council member Strickland said the parish is "still under a study" and that the council is waiting on traffic and drainage analyses before completing its review. (Strickland)

Council member Phillips said the moratoriums relate in part to ongoing land purchases and flooding concerns in the affected areas, noting "we're in a huge, land purchase." (Mister Phillips)

Council members also discussed whether some moratorium language unintentionally affected existing planned-unit developments and approved minor corrections to avoid requiring individual homeowners in those PUDs to seek council approval for routine new construction.

Several moratorium items were moved for introduction or continuation and were presented either for introduction tonight or for formal adoption at later meetings; members emphasized that some items are extensions for six months while relevant studies proceed.

What happens next: Introduced ordinances will return for formal adoption as required by parish procedure; the council said it will monitor study results (traffic, drainage, sewer) and that moratoriums are intended to prevent additional development that could complicate pending land purchases or infrastructure planning.