The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Condominium means a building or group of buildings in which units are owned individually and the structure, common areas, and facilities are owned by all owners on a proportional, undivided basis. It is a legal form of ownership of real estate and not a specific building type or style. A condominium is a form of multifamily development as set forth in this section.

Multifamily development means any proposed development that has a proposed use of two (2) or more living units and shall include duplexes, apartment houses, townhouses and condominiums with a density of eight (8) units per acre.

O/D/S means owner/developer/subdivider.

Review engineer means a licensed civil engineering firm appointed to review technical documents and advise the planning and zoning commission.

Submittal means the date the planning and zoning commission votes to approve or disapprove the project.

Townhouse means an attached, privately-owned single-family dwelling unit which is a part of, and, adjacent to other similarly owned single-family dwelling units that are connected to but separated from one (1) another by a common party fire wall having no doors, windows, or other provisions for human passage or visibility. The rear yard of a townhome is enclosed by a privacy fence. A townhouse is a form of multifamily development as set forth in this section.

(LPO 22-34, 7-14-2022; LPO 22-42, 8-25-2022)

(a)

Prior to the filing of an application for consideration by the Parish, a representative for the developer is required to have an informal discussion with the Planning Director, Parish review engineer and Parish staff and officials deemed appropriate, in an effort to resolve technical matters regarding the proposed development prior to setting the public hearing for the proposed development at the planning and zoning commission. At the discretion of the Planning Director, Parish Council, or Parish President a pre-construction meeting may be required for multi-family developments.

(b)

All developers of multifamily developments are required to prepare a preliminary site plan (pavement section, grading, proposed drainage, method of sewerage disposal, etc.) of proposed improvements to the planning and zoning commission for public hearing.

(c)

Upon receipt of the construction plans or site plan, drainage impact study and traffic impact study, with all review comments addressed, the development will be placed on the planning and zoning commission agenda for approval. When the construction plans and/or a final site plan are approved, the site construction may begin. Certificate of occupancy may not be given unless an on-site inspection of the site has been made by representatives of the Parish and approved by the planning department. Approval to construct the project shall expire after twelve (12) months unless extended by the Parish Council. The drainage impact study shall expire twenty-four (24) months after the date it is approved.

(LPO 22-34, 7-14-2022; LPO 22-42, 8-25-2022)

(a)

The following plans and impact studies must be received by the Parish planning department and the review engineer's office and all comments addressed by the eighteenth (18th) day of the month for plans prior to the planning and zoning commission meeting in order for the development to be placed on the planning and zoning commission agenda for consideration.

(1)

Preliminary site plan. Any alterations made by the O/D/S after approval of the preliminary site plan shall be submitted to the Planning Director and reviewed by the planning and zoning commission.

(2)

Drainage Impact Study.

(3)

Traffic Impact Study.

(4)

School Impact Study.

(5)

Fire Protection Review.

(b)

Proposed construction located in a Parish fire district must submit a copy of the preliminary site plan and construction plans showing detailed drawings for the proposed commercial development at the same time as other required submittals.

(LPO 22-34, 7-14-2022; LPO 22-42, 8-25-2022)

(a)

A minimum of twenty-five (25') foot buffer zone shall be established and maintained between conflicting uses caused by the location of a new multifamily development adjacent to the property being used for residential purposes or as approved by the Parish Council. No building or permanent structure shall be located within this buffer zone. The buffer zone may be used for parking, underground utilities, drainage, green area (landscaping and planting) and access.

(b)

For multi-story units, the buffer zone shall be a minimum of fifty (50') feet for all sides.

(c)

The buffer zone shall be established and maintained by the owner of the property on which the new multifamily development is established.

(d)

The buffer zone shall also have an eight (8') foot-high solid wood, brick or masonry fence between the residential and multifamily development.

(e)

The eight (8') foot fence requirements may be waived if all adjacent landowners to the required buffer zone submit a notarized letter of no objection on a single-floor, multifamily development only. All multi-story family units shall adhere to the fifty (50') foot buffer zone and eight (8') foot fence requirements.

(LPO 22-34, 7-14-2022; LPO 22-42, 8-25-2022; LPO 23-14, 5-11-2023)

The following signage will be required for multifamily development. The O/D/S shall erect two (2) signs that will be placed corner to corner in a V-shaped formation that shall each be measured four (4') foot by eight (8') foot black and white sign with a minimum of four (4") inch-high letters located with no obstructions within five (5') feet of the nearest public right-of-way leading to the original filing, any new additional filing, and any other entrance or road tied to the development for connectivity purposes. The bottom of the sign shall be at least four (4') feet from the ground. Twenty-five (25%) percent of the sign may be dedicated for advertising purposes and graphics, provided such area is contiguous. The sign shall be erected at least ten (10) days prior to the planning and zoning commission meeting at which the development goes for public hearing. The sign must remain visible and upright throughout the construction phase. Failure to keep the sign visible and upright is cause for project work to be stopped by the Parish until the sign is corrected. The developer is responsible for any and all associated costs including attorney fees. The sign shall be titled "A Subdivision Is Proposed For This Site" and shall contain the following information:

(a)

Name, address and working telephone number of the O/D/S.

(b)

Name of subdivision or development.

(c)

Number of lots.

(d)

Number of acres in the development.

(e)

Email Address.

(LPO 22-34, 7-14-2022; LPO 22-42, 8-25-2022)

The developer shall provide a minimum of two (2) parking spaces per living unit. For developments consisting of a combined total of twenty (20) units or more not yet approved, must include one (1) guest parking space for every three (3) multifamily units. All parking and drives shall be concrete.

(LPO 22-34, 7-14-2022; LPO 22-42, 8-25-2022)

If a waiver is requested by the O/D/S, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall make a recommendation to the Parish Council.

(LPO 22-66, 1-12-2023)

(a)

Developments with ninety-nine (99) or less units shall be developed on roads eighteen (18') feet in width or greater.

(b)

Developments with one hundred (100) and over units shall be developed on roads with a width of twenty (20') feet or greater.

(c)

Developments that do not meet the required road width shall make improvements from the entrance/exit of the development to the nearest state or parish road that meets the eighteen (18') feet or twenty (20') feet requirement. All roadway improvements should meet the parish standards outlines in Section 125-77 and be approved by the Review Engineer and Planning Director.

(LPO 23-03, 1-26-2023; LPO No. 23-44, 12-14-2023)

(a)

The Drainage Impact Study shall be approved before any clearing of property. Removal of bushes, shrubs, and small trees under eight (8") inches shall be allowed.

(b)

Approved erosion control measures must be installed prior to the commencement of the clearing and grubbing.

(LPO 23-16, 5-11-2023}

(1)

A plat shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department showing the location, size and proposed use of the buildings which will constitute the proposed development and the means of traffic access to the development. This plat and any accompanying material constitutes the Development Plan for the site.

(2)

If the buildings used in the development already exist, an aerial photograph and explanation can be substituted for the plat.

(3)

For any building which will provide temporary or permanent housing such as a hotel, apartment complex, or multifamily building, a table shall be provided showing the maximum number of units for each building which will be available for occupancy.

(4)

The plat shall also show the area intended for parking and state the number of parking spaces to be provided.

(5)

The Planning and Zoning Department shall review the proposed Development Plan and may require any additional information needed to determine the compatibility of the Development Plan with the surrounding area. Additional material may include a more detailed preliminary site plan.

(6)

When the Planning and Zoning Department determines that sufficient information has been provided to determine the compatibility of the proposed rezoning and Development Plan with the surrounding area, the proposed Development Plan shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to the councilman for the district the proposed development is located.

(7)

The Planning and Zoning Commission shall docket the proposal and consider the proposed Development Plan as part of the application for the rezoning. This review shall be solely for the purpose of determining the compatibility of the proposed Development Plan with the surrounding area as a part of consideration of the rezoning request. Approval of the proposed Development Plan as part of the rezoning of the property conveys no rights or expectations about the review of a preliminary plat in the development process other than that the zoning of the parcel on which the development is proposed is consistent with the zoning of the parcel if the preliminary plat is in accordance with the approved Development Plan.

(8)

The Planning and Zoning Commission shall review the proposed Development Plan and make a recommendation to the Council as to the compatibility of the proposal with the surrounding area. The Planning and Zoning Commission can ask for additional information if a majority of the members feel additional information is needed.

(9)

The approved Development Plan shall be part of the rezoning request, and the development of the site shall be in accordance with the approved plan.

(10)

An amendment to the Development Plan shall be treated as a new rezoning request.

(LPO No. 25-18, 10-23-2025)