Resident’s zoning request denied

• By MARILYN GOFF
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: May 5, 2009 - Page: 3B

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CLINTON — The East Feliciana Police Jury on a 4-3 vote Monday denied for the second time a request by a Jackson-area resident to override a recommendation by the parish Planning and Zoning Commission against his request to rezone property from residential to commercial.

Attorney Ronnie Berthelot, representing property owner Walter Jackson, told jurors Monday that Jackson wants to convert his building and property into a motel and grill.

Although the property has been vacant for several years, Jackson claimed, there is no evidence to indicate a zoning change would disrupt the residential neighborhood or cause traffic congestion — a claim rebutted by Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Jim LaCour.

Jackson’s original zoning-change request, made several months ago, was to convert the building and property into a club and motel.

Voting Monday to uphold the commission’s recommendation to deny the zoning change were Karl “Bubba” Chaney, Dennis Aucoin, John Barnett and Richard Dudley.

Voting against the recommendation were Larry Beauchamp, E.S. “Buggs” Barnes and Edward Brooks. Chris Ferguson and Louis Kent abstained. Ferguson said he is Jackson’s nephew.

In another matter, the police jury unanimously passed a resolution making changes to the parish zoning ordinance that includes changing zoning for public and private institutions, hospitals, rest homes and rehabilitation centers from light commercial to heavy commercial.

LaCour said these facilities are generally high-traffic areas.

Other amendments include changing the commission’s name from the East Feliciana Parish Zoning and Land Use Commission to the East Feliciana Parish Planning and Zoning Commission, and increasing the number of commission members from seven to nine.

Another change requires that houses of worship considering building in a residential neighborhood seek a public hearing and building permits.