The Livingston Parish Zoning Commission voted on Nov. 3 to deny a rezoning request for property on JC Stewart Road (case 25‑54), following prolonged public comment from neighbors who said the short road cannot handle additional traffic, that drainage is inadequate and that the change would increase safety risks.

Several neighbors described long-standing drainage problems and narrow road conditions. “The road is very, very narrow. The drainage is poor, and it's gonna add a total of about 40 cars on this road,” said Earl DeVille, a resident who testified during the public hearing. Other neighbors said trailers that were on site had been abandoned or were in poor repair and raised concerns about overnight activity and safety.

The applicants attorney, Ross Kinchin, said the request was intended to allow the owner to divide family land and put residences on the resulting lots; he said the property is in a developed area with smaller lots nearby and noted that the owner held the land before the most recent zoning map was adopted. "This is not in a swamp," Kinchin said, adding that the parcel “will be used in a way that is conforming to the area.”

During the hearing, commissioners and staff clarified technical limits on post‑rezoning development. Kinchin said the current proposal would divide the parcel into three lots, which he described as allowing a maximum of three residences. Planning staff noted that state/parish addressing rules can allow a second address on a parcel in some circumstances, and said that in that scenario a single split lot could end up with two dwelling addresses; staff explained that could increase the number of residences beyond what the applicant described.

After discussion focused on drainage, road capacity and whether the change fit the intent behind the 1.5 zoning category, commissioners voted to deny the rezoning request. Recorded vote (roll call): Mister Clemens — yes; Mister Erde — yes; Mister Wax — yes; Mister Dana — yes; Mister Burns — yes; Miss Long — yes.

The denial preserves the current zoning until and unless the applicant or future owner brings a revised proposal that addresses the infrastructure concerns raised at the hearing.