Meeting Summary

The St. Charles Parish Council held its regular meeting to confirm new department leadership, restructure parish government, and address zoning for a fast-growing industry. Council members confirmed Brandon Bernard as Director of Public Works and Miles Bingham as Director of a newly created Department of Engineering, splitting day-to-day operations from capital-project design work. The council also passed a new zoning ordinance regulating data centers in the parish's industrial districts, adding a noise standard and buffer requirements after lengthy public and council debate, and approved several property sales and a coastal shoreline protection agreement for Lake Salvador.

Watch Items

• Public hearing set for Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, Courthouse, Hahnville, on:

- An ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of Amendment No. 1 to Ordinance 25-9-8, which approved the Professional Services Agreement with GIS Engineering, LLC, to perform additional engineering services for the Turtle Pond Pump Station and Upstream Drainage Improvements (Project No. P250901), increasing the overall contract value to $1,411,180.50. - An ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Royal Engineers and Consultants, LLC, to perform engineering services for the Lake Salvador Shoreline Protection Project (Project No. P260502), in an amount not to exceed $3,377,781.75.

• Data center noise standards need further work. Although the council adopted a 55-decibel noise limit for data centers, Chairman Pilié raised concerns that the standard may not adequately address low-frequency noise from data center equipment. The administration agreed to work with acoustic engineers to consider additional measures, including C-weighted noise analysis and monitoring at greater distances, before any data center project is approved.

• Code enforcement transparency. Council member Wilson asked staff to create a resident-facing explanation (such as a handout) of the specific ordinances behind code enforcement actions like grass-cutting or vehicle violations, so residents understand the rules being enforced. Staff agreed to develop this.

• Floodplain rating review. The Department of Planning & Zoning is pursuing a further reduction in the parish's Community Rating System (CRS) score, aiming for a "5" rating (from the current "6") before the October renewal deadline, which would lower flood insurance costs parish-wide.

• DOTD sand/dirt buildup at LA 3160 and LA 18. The parish is monitoring an ongoing hazard caused by dirt from a nearby sandpit and is considering invoicing the responsible company rather than having taxpayers absorb the cleanup cost.