Baton Rouge · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Baton Rouge public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Commercial rezonings on Perkins, Oleson, Hyacinth and Hooper
Four rezonings — a Perkins Road restaurant alcohol permit, Oleson Street and Hyacinth Avenue commercial conversions, and a Hooper Road heavy-commercial consolidation — cleared on consent and head to the Metro Council.
Murphy's Bar expansion and West Chimes Street neighborhood impacts
Murphy's Bar wants to buy the building next door and add an outdoor pavilion, doubling its footprint near LSU. Neighbors and Lotus lounge staff described noise until 2-3 a.m., trash, fights, and discrimination claims; the owner countered with a clean law-enforcement record and sound-mitigation agreements. The commission approved the rezone 7-0, but the Metro Council has final say.
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.
Greenwell Springs Road bar-and-lounge rezoning
A restaurant-to-bar rezoning at 8401 Greenwell Springs Road stalled when the applicant didn't show and Councilman Hurst said he opposes any new C-AB-2 zoning in District 5. It comes back November 16.
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.
Withdrawn church and ministry conditional use permits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use permits — Faith Tabernacle of Zachary on Plank Road and Voices of Mercy Outreach Ministries in Baton Rouge — were withdrawn by the applicants, ending (for now) months of deferrals.
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.
Dalton Street residential-to-commercial rezoning
Two residential lots near North 38th Street can now be used for neighborhood commercial purposes. Staff couldn't certify the request because it may change zoning patterns in the immediate area, but the Planning Commission and Council both backed it.
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.
Neighborhood snowball stand on Dalton Street
Durell and Taj Hamilton want to reopen a snowball stand as a community gathering spot for youth mentorship, and the rezoning to Neighborhood Commercial passed with no opposition. The council makes the final call on September 16.
Florida Boulevard rezoning and Old Hammond Highway flooding and traffic
Neighbors from Riverview Drive opposed rezoning 17060 Florida Boulevard to commercial, citing 2016 flood losses, a drainage ditch through the property, potential fuel tanks, and brutal traffic on two-lane Old Hammond Highway. The commission deferred the case so the applicant can consider dropping the Old Hammond frontage.
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.
Alcohol permits shaping neighborhood character
Two alcohol rezonings split this week: a restaurant on Greenwell Springs Road won unanimous approval with strong public support, while a bar and lounge on West Chimes Street near LSU was unanimously denied after neighbors pushed back.
Scenic Highway industrial rezoning
Five parcels along Scenic Highway could shift from a neighborhood-centered future to industrial use. Residents near the corridor may see industrial neighbors move in; supporters argue it matches surrounding industry.
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.
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.
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.