Covington zoning board OKs annexations

The Covington Zoning Commission on Monday unanimously approved annexation of three parcels of land into the city.

The first parcel, .58 acres located at the intersection of Airport Road and Louisiana Highway 25, will be classified as C-3 Highway Commercial under present zoning classifications.

The second parcel, totaling 10.5 acres, fronts on Airport Road near the intersection of La. 25, adjacent to the first parcel. It will also be classified as C-3 Highway Commercial.

Neighbors were concerned about the zoning of the annexed parcels, citing traffic, density and other concerns that would affect their neighborhood. Commission chair Keith Duet said the classifications are not negotiable; the annexation of property takes on the city version of the parish zoning classification it already has. However, Duet said, if the property is part of the city, the city will have more control of how it is developed.

The second parcel is classified by the parish as Suburban Agricultural, SA, not found in Covington. The nearest Covington zoning classification is C-3, Highway Business.

Julian Rodrigue, attorney for both companies, said they want to annex the property so all property will be under one governmental body’s jurisdiction. Currently, plans would have the property developed into a commercial shopping center. However, those plans would need to approved before building permits could be issued.

Another parcel of land, 1.67 acres on U. S. Highway 190, zoned C-2 neighborhood commercial, and 17.7 acres adjacent to it known as Barkley Parc Phase II-A were also annexed by a unanimous vote.

In other matters, a performance standards review request to construct a two-story educational building at Greater Starlight Baptist Church on West 29th Avenue between East 33rd Avenue and North Van Buren Street was unanimously approved.

The vote was met with applause and cheers from about 30 church members that had crowded the City Council chambers for the hearing. Building chairperson Ken Reeves and Michael Hayes presented the case to the Zoning Commission, accompanied by members of the church, including children, who were present for support.

Also, an ordinance by the city of Covington was passed by the commission amending parking regulations.

Instead of requiring two parking spaces, the spaces are now designated that they must allow for side-by-side parking, not just tandem, or one-behind-the-other parking.

And a request for zoning change of two irregular shaped triangular lots at West 32nd Avenue, North Columbia Street and North Polk Street was withdrawn.

It will be refiled at a late date, petitioners said.