Rezoning along Highway 190 approved despite resident traffic and flood concerns

The St. Tammany commission approved a request to rezone a 9.52‑acre parcel on Highway 190 to HQ2 (highway commercial) for uses that include a small garden display/nursery area and RV/boat storage.

Petitioner Chuck Walker, who identified himself as a managing member of Earthworks Group of Slidell LLC, told the commission he purchased and combined two pieces of property and proposed a low‑impact use for the front area with undeveloped wooded acreage to the rear. Walker said no fill would be brought in and that the front area would consist largely of a gravel display and fenced storage, and that “if one (traffic) study is required, we’ll do one.”

Neighbors voiced concerns about flooding, additional traffic near Northshore School, and the potential for RV storage to affect property values. Commissioner Trucks and others discussed buffers and a 25‑foot no‑cut buffer in residential adjacencies; staff confirmed an opaque screen fence would be required for outdoor storage. Commissioner Trucks moved to approve the rezoning and the motion carried.

Why it matters: The approval expands highway commercial zoning along an already mixed corridor. Staff said rezoning to HQ2 gives the parish more control over site design than the existing zoning, despite neighbors’ worries about traffic and drainage.

Next steps: The petitioner may need to submit site plans and any required traffic or drainage studies to satisfy development, landscaping and setback requirements before building or expanding operations on the site.