Council sends comprehensive transient‑lodging study to CPC for drafting of zoning changes

The City Council on Thursday moved the city’s multi‑year transient‑lodging study to the City Planning Commission for formal text amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The study analyzes hotels, commercial short‑term rentals (STRs), time shares and related uses and recommends regulatory changes to clarify definitions, safety requirements and permissible locations.

What the motion does: The motion (M26229) directs CPC to compile language implementing the study’s findings. CPC has 120 days to prepare a report and hold a public hearing; the council will then have 60 days to act on CPC’s recommendations, followed by at least one additional council public hearing before any ordinance adoption.

Stakeholder concerns and priorities: Neighborhood advocates urged special protections for the VCE‑1 (French Quarter residential/commercial) district and highlighted perceived data shortcomings in the study the public had reviewed. Nathan Chapman of the Vieux Carré Property Owners’ group said the study understates the Quarter’s unique hotel and lodging dynamics and urged careful treatment of VCE‑1. Hotel industry representatives cautioned against density caps that would complicate hotel development and urged clear on‑site management requirements, arguing hotels differ from STRs because hotels provide 24‑hour on‑site staffing.

Safety coordination: Several speakers asked that CPC coordinate with the Department of Safety & Permits and the State Fire Marshal while drafting regulations to ensure new definitions and approvals account for life‑safety code changes that take effect July 1 and for consistent enforcement of occupancy and safety rules.

Outcome and next steps: The council adopted the motion, formally beginning the CPC drafting and public‑hearing sequence. The process will include multiple public hearings at CPC and council levels and is expected to result in an ordinance proposal within 9–12 months. The council encouraged the public to submit written feedback and attend CPC hearings.

Speakers quoted (selected):
“We hope you would agree with me that the city of New Orleans arguably has no greater asset than our Vieux Carré.” — Nathan Chapman, Vieux Carré property representative.
“Hotels are essentially the standard for transient lodging — someone has to be on site 24/7.” — Nicole Weber, representing hotel/lodging interests.

Authorities: The motion directs a text amendment to Article 18/19 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance implementing the Desire Line transient lodging study.