Planning & Zoning Commission · Thursday, February 5, 2026
Planning & Zoning Commission
St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
The St. Charles Parish Planning & Zoning Commission met on February 5, 2026 to review two minor resubdivisions, one special-use permit for an auto fleet-services business, and a parish ordinance amendment tightening rules for large solar energy farms. Commissioners also gave a "green light" for a broader set of C2 zoning-district text changes (covering contractor shops, microbreweries, and updated definitions) to be sent to the Council's legislative committee for further work. No members of the public spoke at any of the three public hearings held.
Decisions & Votes
Approved2026-1-MIN
Resubdivision of two lots into two, 313 and 315 River Ridge Drive
A minor resubdivision request involving a lot line shift in Boutte, including a waiver for a lot width deficiency of 1.26 feet in the R1A zoning district. The waiver corrects an existing setback encroachment and allows development of a vacant lot.
Approved2026-2-MIN
Resubdivision of one lot into two, Luke Drive, Bayou Gauche
A minor resubdivision dividing Lot 65 into Lot 65A and 65B in the R1AM zoning district, approved with the stipulation that an existing structure on site be either removed or repaired through proper permitting prior to recordation.
Approved2026-1-SPU
Special use permit for automobile fleet services, 150 Almedia Plantation Drive
A special use permit request by GM Elite Company for an automobile fleet services operation including an office and truck maintenance facility in a C3 zoning district in St. Rose, approved with a waiver from landscaping requirements and recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Department.
Approved2026-1-ORD
Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Section 7 for Large Solar Energy Systems
An ordinance amending the St. Charles Parish Zoning Ordinance of 1981 Section 7 to update supplemental use and performance regulations for large solar energy systems, including landscaping and buffer requirements, minimum size thresholds, and glare evaluation requirements. Small residential solar installations are unaffected.
Approved2026-1-RES
Forwarding of contractor shop and C2 use updates to legislative committee
A resolution to forward proposed updates to zoning definitions and contractor shop use standards in the C2 district to the legislative committee for further review before returning as a formal ordinance.
Watch Items
- Council review still pending for all four approved items (2026-1-MIN waiver, 2026-2-MIN, 2026-1-SPU, and the 2026-1-ORD solar amendment), residents affected by 2026-1-SPU were told to expect a mailed notice [00:08:07].
- Traffic impact analysis for the GM Elite fleet-services site (2026-1-SPU) will be required during permitting and could lead to mandated roadway improvements [00:05:47]–[00:07:20].
- State solar-siting rules on financial responsibility/decommissioning penalties are expected around February 2026; the parish plans to update its ordinance again once those state rules are finalized [00:13:16]–[00:13:56].
- C2 zoning text amendments (2026-1-RES) are headed to the Council's legislative committee for further changes before returning to the Commission for a final vote [00:14:49]–[00:18:04]. Residents with substantive concerns were told to "put them in writing to the legislative committee" [00:17:47].
- Data center zoning classification: staff plans to explicitly clarify in the code (likely via the legislative committee process) where data centers fit, since they are currently only implicitly treated as an industrial use [00:19:57]–[00:20:39].
Published July 7, 2026 · Last updated July 9, 2026
Public Comments