Meeting Summary

The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting on March 10, 2025, taking action on several zoning changes, engineering and construction contracts, and wastewater compliance resolutions. The council also heard a lengthy public complaint from a St. Rose resident about early-morning truck noise tied to levee construction work, and Parish President Matthew Jewell gave updates on road paving, the East Bank Water Intake project, and park renovations. Three proclamations recognizing the Arc of St. Charles's annual festival, Retired Teachers Day, and National Kidney Month/World Kidney Day opened the session.

Watch Items

• Noise ordinance dispute in St. Rose: Resident Wendy M. Carter told the council that trucks hauling heavy materials over the levee near her Highland Oaks subdivision run from as early as 4:15 a.m. to late evening, using jake brakes and modified exhaust systems, and that ruts left by trucks veering into a servitude pose safety hazards. Councilwoman Michelle O'Daniels said there is confusion over how the noise ordinance is written and how it should be interpreted, and that the council is looking into it. No resolution was reached, and residents should watch for further council action or clarification on how the ordinance applies to this industrial/construction traffic.
• Boarding house special use permit tied to rezoning denial: The council denied the rezoning request at 318 Clayton Drive in Norco (changing R-1A to C-1) that was linked to a proposed boarding house special permit use. That special permit application remains tabled with the Planning Commission pending the outcome of this zoning decision, so residents in that area should watch for any further Planning Commission action.
• No ordinances were introduced at this meeting for the next public hearing scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Courthouse, Hahnville. Residents should watch for what, if anything, is introduced for that hearing at the next meeting.
• East Bank Bridge Park and playground construction: Both projects remain in progress, with the parish noting weather and river-level constraints (an Army Corps of Engineers exemption is limiting some underground work at East Bank Bridge Park until river levels drop) and ongoing delays in playground equipment delivery, including a repair part for the Montz playground.
• RES Barataria drainage-related subdivision waiver: The council approved a waiver allowing a lot without street frontage as part of a larger drainage project; residents should watch for how this parcel is eventually combined with surrounding properties.