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St. Tammany Parish Council Approves Two Controversial North St. Tammany Rezoning Requests
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St. Tammany Parish Council Approves Two Controversial North St. Tammany Rezoning Requests
Despite hours of public testimony and repeated concerns from residents, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted Thursday night to approve two controversial rezoning requests that opponents say will significantly increase residential density in North St. Tammany.
The votes came after residents packed meetings and urged council members to reject the proposals over concerns about traffic, flooding, drainage, school capacity, emergency services, infrastructure, and preserving the area’s rural character.
The first proposal involved approximately 31.51 acres on the north side of Ronald Reagan Highway, west of Louisiana Highway 1077. The property was originally zoned R-1 Rural Residential, which allows five-acre lots. During the meeting, the applicant amended the request from S-2 Residential to S-1 Residential, increasing minimum lot sizes from the originally proposed 7,500 square feet to 11,000 square feet.
The amended request was approved by an 11-2 vote.
The second and larger proposal involved approximately 264.35 acres located on the north side of Ronald Reagan Highway and south of Louisiana Highway 1077. The applicant sought to rezone land currently designated as R-1 Rural Residential and NC-2 Neighborhood Commercial to S-1 and S-2 Residential.
That request was approved by an 8-5 vote.
Following the decisions, the St. Tammany Rural Preservation Alliance issued a statement expressing disappointment with the council’s actions, arguing that residents spent months attending meetings, submitting letters, and presenting evidence regarding the long-term impacts of increased development.
The organization also criticized comments made during the meeting by Councilwoman Beth Cazaubon, saying she questioned the work of the St. Tammany Parish Zoning Commission despite the commission having twice recommended denying the rezoning requests after hearing public testimony.
The Alliance further noted that Cazaubon ultimately voted in favor of both rezonings and said many residents in her district expected their concerns to be reflected in her vote.
The group thanked council members David Rolling and Larry Smith for voting against both rezoning requests. It also recognized Arthur Phillips, Joe Impastato, and Jake Laughlin for voting against the 264-acre proposal.
According to the vote boards displayed during the meeting:
31.51-acre rezoning (approved 11-2):
* Yea: Cazaubon, Seiden, Phillips, Impastato, Burke, Tanner, O’Brien, Laughlin, Binder, Corbin, Strickland
* Nay: Rolling, Smith
* Absent: Cougle
264.35-acre rezoning (approved 8-5):
* Yea: Cazaubon, Seiden, Burke, Tanner, O’Brien, Binder, Corbin, Strickland
* Nay: Rolling, Phillips, Impastato, Smith, Laughlin
* Absent: Cougle
Although both rezonings were approved, the St. Tammany Rural Preservation Alliance said its efforts are not over. The organization stated it is evaluating all available options, including potential legal remedies, while continuing to advocate for what it describes as responsible growth that keeps pace with infrastructure and protects the rural character of North St. Tammany.
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