The proposed plan was originally scheduled for final action at the council meeting on this week; however, after a slate of amendments were approved, the council decided to defer the final vote until later in the month.

The original plan included areas throughout the city, especially along the Interstate 10 corridor, and on Lake Street and Country Club Road. At a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in December 2023, the commission approved the plan with amendments.

Areas of concern were addressed by the commission after several residents expressed concerns over their neighborhoods being rezoned to potentially allow businesses. After hearing public opposition to up-zoning in these areas, it was suggested the areas be removed from the plan to ensure they will remain zoned residential, as opposed to neighborhood or mixed-use.

The commission recommended the removal of lots on the corner of W. Prien Lake and Country Club Road, properties on Magnolia Lane and a stretch of Lake Street from Interstate 210 to Sale Road.

At the council meeting on Jan. 3, the council considered the original rezoning plan and the recommended amendments from the commission.

Additionally, the council removed properties on West Prien Lake Road, both north and south of Prien Lake Park, from Cove Lane to Ihles Road from the rezoning plan.

All of the amendments were adopted and approved by the council.

The proposed plan is the first of its kind since the 1990s, and the goal of citywide rezoning is to prepare the city for future development. A comprehensive study was conducted from September 2018 until June of last year to evaluate the city’s past, present and potential growth. This study was conducted by a multidisciplinary firm based out of Sugar Land, Texas, Kendig Keast Collaborative.

By the end of the business day on Monday, Jan. 8, the updated rezoning plan will be available for public view online at www.cityoflakecharles.com/zoning.

Citizen comments, feedback and questions can be submitted by contacting the Planning Department at 337-491-1542 or by using the Mayor’s Action Line by emailing mal@cityoflc.us.