Council Considering Development Code, Creating Planning, Zoning Commissions

The St. George City Council has introduced an ordinance creating a Planning Commission, a Zoning Commission, and a Board of Adjustments.  The ordinance would also adopt the East Baton Rouge Parish Unified Development Code as the interim development code for the City of St. George. 

The proposed ordinance will lay over for consideration at the Council’s next meeting, which is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at St. George City Hall.

Under the proposal, the Planning Commission would consist of seven members, all appointed by the mayor.  The members of the Planning Commission would consist of the same seven individuals. However, the two commissions would meet at separate times and have separate agendas. The seven members would be appointed by the interim mayor with the following terms:

•Two members with terms of four years

•Two members with terms of five years

•Two members with terms of six years

•One member with a term of seven years

The planning commission would have authority to approve development in the City of St. George, while the zoning commission would regulate zoning in the city.

The appointment of a two separate commissions with the same membership and the staggered terms of initial members is determined by the Lawrason Act, the state law that regulates most municipalities in the state.

Under that law, the membership of the two bodies can range from five to nine members.  The initial terms of members must be staggered and from four to 10 years.

Mark Balkin, the city’s new assistant City Attorney for planning and zoning matters, suggested there be seven members on each commission and that the initial appoint-

ments be for four to seven years.

The ordinance would also create the Board of Adjustments with five members, all appointed by the City Council. The mayor would designate the terms of the members with one appointed for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for five years.  The board would have the power to grant variances from zoning requirements.

The proposed St. George Unified Development Ordinance would track the East Baton Rouge Parish Unified Development Ordinance with three differences:

•The St. George City Council would have the authority to review subdivisions and appeal to the extent permitted by state law.

•The Planning Commission would have no authority to perform any of the functions of the Zoning Commission or the Board of Adjustments.

•Any proposed development of 15 or more residential units or a proposed commercial development with 10 or more acres must first receive approval as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) before the issuance of any permits.

Of course, after its initial adoption, the St. George Unified Development Ordinance would be subject to change by the St. George City Council.

Public comments on the proposed ordinance can be made at the meeting on July 23 or by email before the meeting.