Parish approves industrial rezoning at Line Drive for traffic‑control business, commissioners debate buffer and district rules

The Livingston Parish Council approved a rezoning for a property on Line Drive (case 26‑47, parcel 0088203) to I‑2 (industrial) to allow a traffic‑control products business to relocate and store equipment and materials. The applicant, Brad Alban, described the business and its need for outdoor laydown and equipment storage.

“Good afternoon. Brad Alban, the owner of a traffic control product…My wife, Suzanne, and I…we've been blessed enough to grow,” Alban told the panel, explaining the company’s plans and that one parcel is already zoned I‑2 while the adjoining parcel is agriculture. Planning staff noted the application would make the parcels’ zoning consistent and said the future land‑use map shows industrial uses along the corridor.

Commissioners extensively debated whether the CI (commercial‑industrial) zone or I‑2 (heavy industrial) was the right fit. Several members said CI would reduce the risk of heavy industrial uses next to residential zones, while planning staff and other commissioners said I‑2 explicitly allows outdoor storage and truck/equipment laydown — uses that are not explicitly allowed in CI. One commissioner raised concern that I‑2 “butts up” to an R‑1 neighborhood and asked whether buffer language or restrictions should be added.

The council voted to approve the rezoning; recorded votes show the motion passed with eight yes votes and one no. Planning staff said they will follow up with standard planning conditions and address buffering and site‑planning measures during the planning phase.