Baton Rouge · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Baton Rouge public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Commercial rezoning push on Carolyn Sue Drive
An applicant wants to flip about 1.5 acres near Old Hammond Highway from a residential/transition designation to heavy commercial, which would open the door to retail or office development near single-family neighborhoods.
Withdrawn church and ministry conditional use permits
Two long-deferred conditional use permits — Faith Tabernacle of Zachary on Plank Road and Voices of Mercy Outreach Ministries in Baton Rouge — were withdrawn by the applicants, ending (for now) months of deferrals.
Florida Boulevard commercial rezonings (17060 and 17510/17590)
Two stretches of Florida Boulevard east of Stevendale and Old Hammond could shift from rural/residential designations to commercial, including heavy commercial. Neighbors turned out in opposition, but the commission forwarded all four related items to the council unanimously.
Heavy Industrial rezone on West Irene Road
A West Irene Road site near Samuels Road was rezoned from Rural to Heavy Industrial by consent — heavy industrial use could arrive in Council District 1.
Commercial rezonings along Nicholson, Coursey, Millerville and Sherwood Forest corridors
A wireless tower north of Coursey Boulevard, stalled since April, was approved unanimously — expanding cell coverage in the Sherwood Forest area.
Zoning changes on Dalton Street and Florida Boulevard
Two rezonings advanced toward September 16 hearings: a switch from single-family residential to neighborhood commercial at 3680/3696 Dalton Street, and a switch from heavy commercial to restaurant-with-alcohol at 7122 Florida Boulevard. Both won 7-0 Planning Commission recommendations.
High-density multi-family zoning on Curtis Street near Scenic Highway
Two lots on Curtis Street jumped from limited residential to high-density multi-family, the most significant residential intensification approved this session. Nearby residents could see apartment-scale development next door.
Neighborhood commercial rezonings across the parish
Five rezonings — Nicholson, Coursey, Curtis, Millerville and South Sherwood Forest — were approved, opening the door to commercial and multi-family development in those areas.
Plan Baton Rouge III Small Area Plan
A new plan for downtown's historic core could shape future development, land use, and investment from the river to Choctaw Drive. It now goes to the Metro Council.
Data Center Regulations on the Way
The Metro Council has asked planning staff to rewrite parts of the Unified Development Code to cover data centers — a public hearing will come later.