The city of Lake Charles is accepting public feedback on a planned citywide rezoning plan.

From September 2018 until June 2023, a comprehensive study evaluating the city’s past and potential growth and expansion was conducted by Kendig Keast Collaborative, a multidisciplinary planning firm based out of Sugar Land, Texas, according to City Director of Planning and Development Doug Burguieres. The firm “focuses on assisting municipalities prepare for their community’s future growth and development.”

This is the first comprehensive evaluation completed since the 1990s. He said that the process of the comprehensive study allows the city to prepare for future growth and development and “plan appropriately for potential uses of vacant properties.”

The study recommended changes throughout the city, including many areas in the I-10 Corridor, and on Lake Street and Country Club Road.

Some of these focus areas are residential areas where businesses have been instituted. In some cases, the rezoning will include converting the residential area into a mixed-use area. He said that the study will help the city to predict future growth to mitigate the effects of business development in residential areas.

“Through this evaluation of existing and future land uses, we have looked to see where expansions have occurred and are working to prevent potential impacts to residential neighborhoods in the future,” Burguieres said.

He said that the city will not be annexing any land during the rezoning process.

The study has been accompanied by community and stakeholder participation to garner a wide range of input.

“This has been a very thorough process that has included meetings with stakeholders such as City Council members, Planning and Zoning Commissioners, Historic Preservation Commissioners, residents and the public-at-large, engineers and design professionals, realtors and brokers, contractors and business leaders.”

The city’s Planning Department planned three community meetings regarding the updates to the City’s land use policies and zoning maps. The first two took place on Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The final community meeting is planned for 5:30–7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 at College Oaks Recreation Center, 3518 Ernest St. Public comments will also be heard at two public meetings: a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 11 and a City Council Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.

At the City Council meeting in January, the Council will consider the recommended zoning changes.

On Dec. 11, copies of the recommended changes will be available for public view on the seventh floor of City Hall, at Epps Memorial Library, 1200 N. Martin Luther King Hwy., Carnegie Memorial Library, 411 Pujo St, and Central Library, 301 W. Claude St. The documents will also be available 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.