Town Planning & Zoning Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, September 28, 2005

MINUTES OF BRUSLY ZONING COMMISSION
September 28, 2005

A regular monthly meeting of the Brusly Zoning Commission was held on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 in the Council Meeting Room, Brusly Town Hall, Brusly, Louisiana. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Debbie Thompson at 6:40 PM.
Members present: Jules Thibodaux, Carroll Fontenot, Debbie Thompson,
Rosa Stelly, Claudette Purnell.

Members absent: Shane Sarradet, Steve Perkins.

Others present: Marianne Berthelot, Mayor Joey Normand, Joanne Bourgeois, “Fish” Kershaw, Theresa Alexander, Mr. & Mrs. Walter Griffin, Sr., Mrs. Monica Hebert, Elton Higginbotham, Mr. & Mrs. Willard Tullier, Cletus Langlois.
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Upon motion of Mr. Carroll Fontenot, seconded by Mrs. Rosa Stelly, the Minutes of the August 24, 2005 meeting were approved as written. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING: The Chairman opened the public hearing on the request for rezoning of the rear portion of the James Landess Hebert property from R-1 to C-1 to provide uniform zoning of the entire lot described as “Lot in Sec. 14, T8S, R12E measuring 115’ X 424.30’ known as the location of Brusly’s Café, 430 N. Vaughan Dr., Brusly, Louisiana. “

Members of the Griffin, Alexander, Hebert & Higginbotham families as owners and residents of adjoining residential properties were present to oppose the requested rezoning. Mr. Walter Griffin, Jr. was recognized and acted as spokesman for the family members. He referred to the same issue being brought up before the commission several years ago in 2002 by the previous owner and it was turned down at that time. He reiterated their position on the issue stating that they are opposed to the commercial zoning going that deep.

Mr. Landess Hebert was recognized. He stated that in his opinion, the entire lot should have been addressed at the time zoning was instituted in the Town of Brusly instead of arbitrarily drawing a line dividing the lot into two zones: 72% commercial and 28% residential.

Other issues brought up by those objecting to the rezoning 1) Disruption of lifestyle of the residents on Sidney Street a private drive for those families; 2) Drainage concerns; 3) Spot Zoning.

Mr. Hebert was recognized again. He stated that he feels that based upon the zoning, the rear portion of his property is “land locked”, and stated that from a tax standpoint, he is not assessed as two separate zones. He asked that the commission do some research on the issue.

There were no further comments. Mr. Carroll Fontenot made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Jules Thibodaux seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mrs. Rosa Stelly was recognized. She stated that in 2002, after a very lengthy discussion, the commission voted to recommend denial of the rezoning based upon Mr. Don Neisler’s advice to consider uses allowed in C-1 Commercial.

Mrs. Stelly made a motion to recommend that the Town Council deny the request and leave the zoning as is. Mr. Carroll Fontenot seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

There was no other business to come before the commission.

Mr. Carroll Fontenot made a motion to adjourn. Mrs. Claudette Purnell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Meeting of the Zoning Commission adjourned at 7:00 PM.

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Debbie Thompson, Chairperson