St. Tammany Parish Board of Adjustment approves most variances, denies digital monument sign after resident opposition

The St. Tammany Parish Board of Adjustment heard nine variance cases at its June meeting and approved most requests, while denying a contentious proposal for a digital monument sign in the Bel Air subdivision.

The board reappointed Mrs. Thomas as chairwoman and Michael Block as vice chair before taking up cases. Early approvals included a reduction in a required street buffer from 20 feet to 8 feet to allow auxiliary gravel parking for a place of worship in Mandeville (BOA 2026-4591). Applicant Mohammad Zidan said the new lot would provide five or six additional spaces and that existing live oaks would be preserved. Board members who visited the site raised concerns about maintaining neighborhood character and tree canopy, but the motion to approve — moved by Mr. Swindell and seconded by Mr. Sanders — carried with the staff conditions noted.

The board also approved after-the-fact buffer and fence requirements for 530 Geronimo Drive (BOA 2026-4612), a minor side-yard variance in Madisonville (BOA 2026-4621) and a front-stair setback tied to an elevation grant for a Riverwood homeowner (BOA 2026-4620). A request to reduce a rear-yard setback to attach a carport in Madisonville (BOA 2026-4644) was approved after staff and board members noted a 100-foot electrical servitude behind the lot and HOA support.

One significant application failed to clear the board. At 16261 Pickett Road (BOA 2026-4635), owner Matthew Cole asked to reduce a 50-foot natural and landscape buffer to 25 feet for a 3,280-square-foot accessory structure that would include a garage/workshop and a small living suite. Cole said siting the building in the requested location would preserve mature live oaks and would keep living quarters close to aging relatives; board members questioned whether the request represented a true hardship or primarily a matter of convenience. After deliberation the motion did not receive majority support and failed (2 yes, 3 no).

The board’s most contentious item was the Bel Air subdivision request (BOA 2026-4636) to allow an internally illuminated digital monument sign in place of a traditional bulletin board. Jim Moberly, who identified himself as the HOA representative, said the board would allow remote message updates and that dimming options were available. Multiple residents presented a petition and spoke in opposition, arguing the sign would be out of character with the tree-lined entrance, was redundant with existing notification channels, and raised concerns about light pollution and FAA/visibility issues. After extensive public comment and internal debate about precedent and illumination standards, the board voted to deny the variance.

The meeting concluded with the board noting a pending amendment to the Unified Development Code to add training requirements for staff/board members and adjourning the session.

Votes at a glance
- BOA 2026-4591 (Mandeville; 20 ft to 8 ft buffer for parking): Approved (motion carried; conditions per staff).
- BOA 2026-4612 (Covington; after-the-fact buffer and 8 ft fence): Approved (subject to timeline and permit).
- BOA 2026-4620 (Covington; front-stair setback for elevated home): Approved.
- BOA 2026-4621 (Madisonville; side-yard 15 ft to 12.6 ft): Approved.
- BOA 2026-4635 (Pickett Road; 50 ft to 25 ft buffer for accessory structure): Motion failed (2 yes, 3 no).
- BOA 2026-4636 (Bel Air; internally illuminated digital monument sign): Denied after public opposition.
- BOA 2026-4644 (Madisonville; rear setback 20 ft to 5 ft to attach carport): Approved.
- BOA 2026-4648 (Slidell; front setback 30 ft to 25 ft): Approved.

The board scheduled training-related amendments to the Unified Development Code and adjourned. The decisions were procedural and fact-specific; those who disagree with a board ruling were reminded of appeal rights to the 22nd judicial court.