The Livingston Parish Zoning Commission on Nov. 3 approved a zoning change for property on Buddy Ellis Road (case 25‑53) to I‑2 after proponents said the change is a preliminary step toward a confidential commercial/industrial project that could generate jobs and tax revenue.

Councilman Ricky Goff, who said the property is in his district, told the commission the rezoning “is just 1 step” and that the development proponents have discussed road improvements, a planned boulevard and a proposed roundabout to handle traffic. “I would not be up here if I didn't support it or feel comfortable with it and with the community,” Goff said. He told commissioners that state and parish officials have identified widening and other road projects as priorities and pointed to capital allocations announced as part of recent planning discussions.

Planning staff and commissioners repeatedly noted that approving a zoning change does not authorize construction or relieve the developer of other regulatory requirements. Planning staff reminded the commission that subsequent steps — including drainage-impact and traffic-impact studies, site-plan review and required permits — remain before any project can move forward. As planning staff put it during the hearing, even if a zoning change is approved, “they still have to follow every ordinance, every procedure, every step that is in place.”

Supporters said the rezoning aligns with the parish future land-use map and could help shift heavy traffic away from existing residential corridors if planned service roads and right-of-way improvements are completed. During the hearing, several speakers described ongoing coordination with the state Department of Transportation and Development and repeated that parts of the project remain subject to nondisclosure agreements while designs are finalized.

Commissioners asked for and were assured that any later site plans would include buffers and comply with drainage and traffic mitigation requirements. The commission recorded votes in favor and advanced the application; the approval was presented and passed at the zoning stage and will be subject to later staff and site-plan reviews before any construction.

Recorded vote (roll call): Mister Clemens — yes; Mister Erde — yes; Mister Wax — yes; Mister Dana — yes; Mister Burns — yes; Miss Long — yes. The motion passed.