Baton Rouge meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Baton Rouge boards weigh zoning changes, tax rebates; no decisions published yet

Over the past two weeks, Baton Rouge's boards and commissions held meetings on zoning exceptions, tax rebates, and alcohol license reviews, but none of the minutes have been published yet. That means no final decisions are available. The most consequential items on the table include a $2.29 million sales tax rebate for the Cortana Project and several rezoning requests that could change land use across the parish.

Metropolitan Council: tax rebates, contracts, and zoning

The Metropolitan Council met twice in the past two weeks. On Aug. 12, it introduced several items for public hearing, including a $2,290,573.11 city sales tax rebate for the Cortana Project construction and a $285,115.24 parish sales tax rebate for ExxonMobil projects. The council also introduced a one-year extension of the Raising Cane's River Center naming agreement, a contract with Tyler Technologies for software maintenance up to $480,000, and a janitorial contract for the Juvenile Complex up to $140,488.14 per year.

On Aug. 19, the council held a zoning meeting with public hearings on five rezoning requests and a conditional use permit for a sand and gravel mining operation. The requests include rezoning 13118-13130 and 13040 Scenic Hwy from C2/A4 to M1 (Light Industrial), 9798 Greenwell Springs Rd from C1 to C-AB-1 (restaurant with alcohol), and 14832 Old Hammond Hwy from Rural to Neighborhood Commercial. One rezoning, at 4743-4759 Peerless St and 4730 Paige St, was not certified by staff. The mining permit at 7740 and 9400-9500 Pettit Rd was deferred to Aug 17.

Planning Commission: rezoning and subdivisions

The Planning Commission met on Aug. 17 to consider a comprehensive plan amendment, three rezoning requests, a conditional use permit, and three major residential subdivisions. Notable items include rezoning 7122 Florida Blvd from Heavy Commercial to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (restaurant), and rezoning 3680/3696 Dalton St from Single Family Residential to Neighborhood Commercial. The commission also reviewed a conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling at 2340 Tulip Street and three subdivisions: Lordia's Grove (8150 Hooper Rd), Bennett Property (12707 Port Hudson-Pride Rd), and Kennedy Property (22838-22900 Plank Rd).

Board of Adjustment: zoning exceptions

The Metro Board of Adjustment met on Aug. 10 to hear requests for exceptions to the Unified Development Code. Items included allowing a mobile home on a lot with a single-family home at 17845 Plank Rd in Baker, reducing a rear yard setback from 25 to 8 feet for a 440 sq.ft. carport at 11755 Sherbrook Dr, and building a 1,347 sq.ft. accessory pool house at 7583 Rienzi Blvd. A fourth request, to expand a nonconforming garage at 250 Beverly Dr, was also on the agenda.

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission met on Aug. 12 to hear several cases, including an accessory dwelling at 2340 Tulip Street, exterior additions to the Longwood Plantation Home at 15417 River Road, and three demolition-by-neglect cases at 645 North 8th Street, 764 Spanish Town Road, and 631 Lakeland Drive. The latter three had been deferred from earlier meetings.

Alcohol Beverage Control Board

The ABC Board met on Aug. 13 to review license applications, hear oppositions, and adjudicate citations. The board reviewed a Class A Beer & Liquor license for Green Rabbit Tavern at 5201 Nicholson Dr., Ste. F, and an accountant's report for Blue Bayou Waterpark at 18142 Perkins Rd. Opposition hearings were held for Class B licenses at Break Express 3 (2147 Staring Ln.) and O'Neal Latino Market (930 O'Neal Ln.). Citations covered underage sales, unlicensed service, and Clean Air Act violations at several stores.

Communications District Board

The EBRP Communications District Board met on Aug. 19 to discuss the 911 phone system transition, the North Tower project, and implementation of Louisiana Act 947. The board also reviewed its financial status and approved minutes from May 20.

Coming up

• **Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees** – Aug. 26, 2026: Review of Q2 2026 investment results from Mariner.
• **Metropolitan Council regular meeting** – Aug. 26, 2026, 4:00 PM (with a 3:00 PM presentations session): Agenda items include crime prevention district fees and sales tax refunds, including a $291,398.69 refund to Walgreen Louisiana Co. and a $275,672.77 refund to Cardinal Health 108 LLC.

All meetings are open to the public; agendas and viewing options are available at brla.gov.

Baton Rouge boards weigh Cortana rebate, zoning requests; no decisions published

Recent meetings of Baton Rouge boards and commissions covered zoning exceptions, historic preservation, alcohol licenses, and a proposed $2.29 million sales tax rebate for the Cortana Project. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings held Aug. 4–13, so no final decisions are available. The items below are from official agendas.

Metropolitan Council

The Metropolitan Council met Aug. 12. The agenda included introduction of a $2,290,573.11 city sales tax rebate for Cortana Project construction and a $285,115.24 parish sales tax rebate for ExxonMobil projects. The council also introduced a one-year extension of the Raising Cane's River Center naming agreement, a contract with Tyler Technologies for software maintenance up to $480,000, and a janitorial contract for the Juvenile Complex up to $140,488.14 per year. All items were open for public comment.

Metro Board of Adjustment

The board met Aug. 10 to consider exceptions to the Unified Development Code. Items included a mobile home at 17845 Plank Rd in Baker, a reduced rear yard setback for a carport at 11755 Sherbrook Dr, an expansion of a nonconforming garage at 250 Beverly Dr, and a 1,347 sq.ft. accessory pool house at 7583 Rienzi Blvd. The board also planned to approve minutes from July 13.

Historic Preservation Commission

On Aug. 12, the commission held public hearings on an accessory dwelling at 2340 Tulip Street, exterior additions to Longwood Plantation Home at 15417 River Road, and three demolition-by-neglect cases at 645 North 8th Street, 764 Spanish Town Road, and 631 Lakeland Drive. The commission also considered approval of July 8 minutes.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board

The ABC Board met Aug. 13 to review license applications, hear oppositions, and adjudicate citations. Items included a Class A beer and liquor license for Green Rabbit Tavern at 5201 Nicholson Dr., Ste. F, an accountant's report for Blue Bayou Waterpark at 18142 Perkins Rd., and opposition hearings for Class B licenses at Break Express 3 (2147 Staring Ln.) and O'Neal Latino Market (930 O'Neal Ln.). Citations covered underage sales, unlicensed service, and Clean Air Act violations at several stores. The board also noted pending litigation in the Mallak LLC d/b/a 3 Amigos appeal.

Personnel Board

The Personnel Board met Aug. 4 to discuss personnel rule amendments, review the upcoming hearing schedule, and receive an update on court proceedings.

Coming up

• **Planning Commission, Aug. 17:** Rezoning for alcohol sales at 7122 Florida Blvd, comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning at 17060 Florida Blvd, rezoning at 3680/3696 Dalton St, conditional use permit for accessory dwelling at 2340 Tulip Street, and three major residential subdivisions.
• **Metropolitan Council zoning meeting, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m.:** Five rezoning requests and a conditional use permit for sand/gravel mining at 7740 & 9400-9500 Pettit Rd (deferred to the Aug. 17 Planning Commission).
• **EBRP Communications District Board, Aug. 19:** Updates on 911 system transition, North Tower project, and discussion of Louisiana Act 947.

Baton Rouge officials weigh $31.1M police technology deal, zoning changes, and liquor license reviews

Baton Rouge-area boards and councils convened across multiple meetings in late July, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions. Based on the agendas released, the most consequential items involved a proposed $31.1 million police technology contract, a $615,752 interstate maintenance agreement, and a slate of zoning and alcoholic beverage matters. Because minutes are not available, all items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.

Metropolitan Council: Police technology and tax renewals introduced

The Metropolitan Council's July 22 agenda included introduction of a proposed 10-year lease bundle agreement with AXON Enterprises for police technology, not to exceed $31,169,176.74. The council also introduced a proposed professional services agreement with MP Design Group for Public Safety Complex engineering, not to exceed $70,000.00.

Several tax renewal elections were introduced for future public hearings: Pride Fire Protection District No. 8 (15 mills), Chaneyville Fire Protection District No. 7 (10 mills), and City of Baton Rouge (0.87 mills). The council also introduced an ordinance creating the Delmont Economic Development District and a proposed Revenue Anticipation Note not to exceed $12,500,000 for St. George Fire Protection District No. 2.

A separate emergency administrative item on the council agenda proposed a Professional Service Agreement with H & O Investments, LLC for interstate mowing, litter/trash pickup, and spraying, not to exceed $615,752.10.

Metropolitan Council: Six zoning public hearings

The council scheduled public hearings on six zoning requests to amend the comprehensive zoning map:

• 11635 Nicholson Drive: Rural to Light Commercial Three (LC3)
• 9965 Meadowdale Drive: Single Family Residential (A1) to Single Family Residential (A2)
• 12891 Coursey Boulevard: Rural to Light Commercial One (LC1)
• 1407 and 1419 Curtis Street: Limited Residential (A3.1) to High Density Multi-Family Residential (A3.3)
• 2627 and 2629 South Sherwood Forest Boulevard: Rural to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (restaurant) (C-AB-1) and Light Commercial One (LC1)

A separate zoning meeting notice listed no specific cases. A general council meeting notice listed presentations and special recognitions but no specific agenda items.

Planning Commission: Sand and gravel mine on Pettit Road

The Planning Commission's July 20 agenda included 13 public hearing items. Among them was a sand and gravel mining operation (MCUP-1-26) on Pettit Road, deferred from May. Other items included a rezone of 5 parcels on Scenic Highway from Neighborhood Center to Industrial (PA-4-26), a rezone at 9798 Greenwell Springs Road to allow a restaurant with alcohol (C-AB-1), a rezone at 228 West Chimes Street to bar and lounge (C-AB-2), and a wireless communication tower (WT-3-26) at 1210 South Acadian Thruway.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: Licenses and citations

The board's July 23 agenda included an opposition hearing for Golf Haven at 16645 Highland Rd., Ste. J & K, regarding a Class A Beer & Liquor license. Permanent license applications were listed for Fast Lane Petro 4 (2915 Highland Rd.), Hearsay (1857 Government St.), Winbourne Grocery (4325 Winbourne Ave.), and Las Brujas Coffee & Grocery (3101 Government St.).

The board also scheduled hearings on six citations for Wine, Beer & Liquor Ordinance violations, including Citation #4613 against Truce & Chaos (3753 Perkins Road) for 9 counts of operating without a license, and citations for unlicensed personnel at K Pot (7620 Andrea) and El Paso Mexican Grill (4808 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.). A Notice of Intent for The Spot Bar & Grill (2436 North Street, Ste. D) for a Class A Beer & Liquor license was also listed for review.

Pension board reviews 2027 budget, St. George withdrawal liability

The CPERS Board of Trustees met July 30 to receive routine reports on benefits, investments, legal invoices, and actuarial matters. Agenda items included a 2026 supplemental benefit payment declaration, a 2027 CPERS budget presentation, a St. George withdrawal liability discussion, a Metro Council presentation recap, and an investment manager fee report. Several items may have been addressed in executive session.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4 — Personnel Board:** Discussion of personnel rule amendments, upcoming hearing schedule, and updates on court proceedings.
• **Aug. 17 — Planning Commission:** Public hearings on a rezone at 7122 Florida Blvd from Heavy Commercial to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (restaurant), a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone at 17060 Florida Blvd, a rezone at 3680/3696 Dalton St, a conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling at 2340 Tulip Street, and three major residential subdivisions: Lordia's Grove (8150 Hooper Rd), Bennett Property (12707 Port Hudson-Pride Rd), and Kennedy Property (22838-22900 Plank Rd).

Note: Minutes were not published for any of the July meetings listed above. Outcomes and vote tallies are not available in the provided records.

Baton Rouge government meetings: licenses, zoning variances on the table; $31.1M police tech deal and mining operation ahead

Baton Rouge-area boards met over the past two weeks to weigh alcohol license applications, zoning variances, and street-design policy updates. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so no final decisions are confirmed in the available record. Several consequential items are on deck for the coming week, including a proposed $31.1 million police technology contract and a sand and gravel mining operation on Pettit Road.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board — July 9

The board was scheduled to review new beer and liquor license applications for several businesses, including Dash 'N Pass (12240 Coursey Blvd., Ste. E & F) for a Class B license, Parish Biscuit Co (220 W. Lee Dr.) for a Class A license, and Da Supper House Southern Food & Drinks LLC (209 W. State St.) for a Class A license. The agenda also listed a citation — No. 5981 — against Champions Express Mart Inc. d/b/a Jiffy Mart #15 (12924 Coursey Blvd.) for under-age alcohol sales. Permanent license applications on the agenda included one for Bulls Sports Bar & Grill Inc. d/b/a Bull Sports Bar & Grill (2742 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.). Minutes have not been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Metro Board of Adjustment — July 13

The board was set to hear five variance and exception requests under the Unified Development Code. The largest item was a request at 2755 McCarroll Dr. to reduce the required rear yard setback from 25 feet to 6 feet for a 419-square-foot pool house. Other items included a side-yard variance at 1520 Ingleside Dr. (from 8 feet to 7 feet 2 inches for a house addition), an exception at 1212 Richland Ave. for a 2,178-square-foot accessory structure, an exception at 4955 Greenside Ln. for an addition to a nonconforming structure with a 6-foot setback, and an exception at 250 Beverly Dr. to reconstruct an accessory structure in the same footprint. No minutes are available yet.

Complete Streets Citizen Advisory Committee — July 16

The committee was scheduled to hear a presentation from LADOTD on updates to the Traffic Engineering Manual, the Complete Streets Manual, and Work Zone/Temporary Traffic Control guidelines. The agenda also included review of recommendations from Transportation for America, updates from the CSAC Membership Working Group and the Mayor's Meeting Working Group, and a public comment period. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

• **Planning Commission, July 20:** Public hearings on 13 items, including a sand and gravel mining operation (MCUP-1-26) on Pettit Road, deferred from May; a rezone of five parcels on Scenic Highway from Neighborhood Center to Industrial (PA-4-26); a rezone at 9798 Greenwell Springs Road to allow a restaurant with alcohol (C-AB-1); a rezone at 228 West Chimes Street to bar and lounge (C-AB-2); and a wireless communication tower (WT-3-26) at 1210 South Acadian Thruway.

• **Metropolitan Council, July 22:** Introduction of a proposed 10-year lease bundle agreement with AXON Enterprises for police technology not to exceed $31,169,176.74; a professional services agreement with MP Design Group for Public Safety Complex engineering not to exceed $70,000.00; proposed special elections for tax renewals in Pride Fire Protection District No. 8 (15 mills), Chaneyville Fire Protection District No. 7 (10 mills), and City of Baton Rouge (0.87 mills); an ordinance creating the Delmont Economic Development District; and a Revenue Anticipation Note not to exceed $12,500,000 for St. George Fire Protection District No. 2. The council also holds public hearings on six zoning requests, including rezoning 11635 Nicholson Drive from Rural to Light Commercial Three (LC3) and 1407 and 1419 Curtis Street from Limited Residential (A3.1) to High Density Multi-Family Residential (A3.3).

Baton Rouge boards weigh $9.2M public safety radio lease, housing amendment, and tax renewal in late June meetings

Baton Rouge-area government bodies met across the final week of June 2026, with the Metropolitan Council introducing a proposed $9,206,273.60 lease for police and fire radios and considering an emergency amendment to the Cypress at Ardendale affordable housing agreement. Minutes from all recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes of votes and discussions are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Metropolitan Council — June 24, 2026

The Council's agenda included several items introduced for future public hearings rather than final votes. The largest-dollar item was a proposed 10-year lease with Motorola Solutions totaling $9,206,273.60 to provide radios for the Police and Fire Departments.

The Council also introduced 14 new property condemnations, including properties at 2750 70th Ave and 4069 Tuscarora St, and 14 adjudicated property sale introductions with bids ranging from $100 to $3,000.

Two rezoning requests were on the agenda: a request to rezone 11635 Nicholson Drive from Rural to Light Commercial Three (LC3), and a request to rezone 9965 Meadowdale Drive from Single Family Residential (A1) to (A2).

A separate Council agenda item concerned an emergency amendment to the subrecipient agreement with the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority for the Cypress at Ardendale Phase I affordable housing project. The amendment would realign existing ARPA/SLFRF funding with Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing requirements without increasing the total budget.

The meeting was held in Room 348 of the third floor at 222 St. Louis St., with public comment available via sign-up monitors or cards and viewing through brla.gov, Metro 21, and Facebook Live.

Mosquito Abatement & Rodent Control Board — June 23, 2026

The board's agenda listed discussion and possible approval of the 2027 budget and a secondary tax renewal vote. Additional items included a 2026 operations update, chemical storage updates, and a joint project with the Department of Public Works. Minutes from the March 17, 2026 meeting were also slated for approval. No minutes have been published yet.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board — June 25, 2026

The board scheduled an opposition hearing for Break Express 3 at 2147 Staring Ln and underage sales citations for two stores: Jiffy Mart #15 at 12924 Coursey Blvd and S & P Store 2 at 4383 Nicholson Drive, the latter listed as a second offense. License reviews were on the agenda for Dash 'N Pass (12240 Coursey Blvd) and Parish Biscuit Co (220 W. Lee Dr), along with permanent license applications for Brightside Food Mart and Manni's.

Historic Preservation Committee — July 1, 2026

The commission held public hearings on two demolition-by-neglect cases deferred from May 13: 645 North 8th Street and 764 Spanish Town Road. A certificate of appropriateness hearing was scheduled for 999 North 9th Street (HPC-5-26). A deferral to September 9 was requested for 438 & 442 Main Street (HPC-2-26).

Coming up

• **July 13 — Metro Board of Adjustment:** Five variance and exception requests, including a proposal to reduce a required 25-foot rear yard setback to 6 feet for a 419 sq.ft. pool house at 2755 McCarroll Dr.
• **July 20 — Planning Commission:** Public hearings on 13 items, including a sand and gravel mining operation on Pettit Road (deferred from May), a rezoning of five parcels on Scenic Highway from Neighborhood Center to Industrial, and rezonings to allow alcohol sales at 9798 Greenwell Springs Road and 228 West Chimes Street.

Metropolitan Council Introduces $9.2M Police Radio Lease, Alcohol Board Cites Underage Sales

Baton Rouge governing boards considered a multi-million-dollar public safety equipment lease, an affordable housing funding amendment, and citations for alcohol sales to minors during regularly scheduled meetings over the past two weeks. Final votes on most items were not immediately available because official minutes have not yet been published, but agendas detailed the proposals.

Public Safety Radio Lease Starts Council Review

The Metropolitan Council on June 24 introduced a proposed 10-year, $9,206,273.60 lease with Motorola Solutions to supply radios for the Police and Fire Departments. The item will proceed to a future public hearing. No vote was taken at the introductory session.

Affordable Housing Funding Realignment

The same council agenda included an emergency amendment to a subrecipient agreement with the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority for the Cypress at Ardendale Phase I affordable housing project. The change would realign American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to match Low-Income Housing Tax Credit requirements without increasing the project’s total budget.

Alcohol Board Hears Underage Selling Cases

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on June 25 held hearings on multiple violations. Agenda items included a first-offense underage sales citation for Jiffy Mart #15 at 12924 Coursey Blvd and a second-offense citation for S & P Store 2 at 4383 Nicholson Drive. The board also convened a formal opposition hearing for Break Express 3 at 2147 Staring Ln, and reviewed new license applications for Dash ‘N Pass, Parish Biscuit Co, Brightside Food Mart, and Manni’s. No outcomes were listed in the agenda-only records.

Council Moves Zoning and Property Actions

The June 24 Metropolitan Council agenda also contained 14 new property condemnation introductions for addresses including 2750 70th Ave and 4069 Tuscarora St, along with 14 adjudicated property sale introductions with opening bids ranging from $100 to $3,000. Rezoning requests included a change from Rural to Light Commercial Three (LC3) at 11635 Nicholson Drive and a shift from Single Family Residential A1 to A2 at 9965 Meadowdale Drive.

Historic Demolition Hearings Held

On July 1, the Historic Preservation Committee took up two demolition by neglect cases deferred from May: 645 North 8th Street and 764 Spanish Town Road. A certificate of appropriateness hearing for 999 North 9th Street was also scheduled. The committee considered a deferral request for 438 & 442 Main Street until September 9.

Mosquito Board Eyes Budget and Tax Renewal

The Mosquito Abatement & Rodent Control Board on June 23 discussed its 2027 budget, a secondary tax renewal vote, a 2026 operations update, chemical storage changes, and a joint project with the Department of Public Works. Because minutes are not yet published, the outcome of any vote was not immediately available.

Coming Up

The Metro Board of Adjustment meets July 13 to hear five variance or exception requests under the Unified Development Code. The most notable item is a request at 2755 McCarroll Dr to reduce the required 25-foot rear yard setback to just 6 feet for a 419-square-foot pool house. Other cases involve side yard reductions on Ingleside Drive, a large accessory structure on Richland Avenue, and additions to nonconforming structures on Greenside Lane and Beverly Drive.