By JOHN E. SETTLE JR

Focus SB News

It is expected that the Caddo Commission will consider the repeal of its version of the Unified Development Code (UDC) in January.

This controversial ordinance affects parish property within the five-mile zone of the Shreveport city limits.

The parish does have many other ordinances that affect land use throughout the parish.

The incorporated towns and villages in the parish -- Belcher, Blanchard, Greenwood, Hosston, Ida, Mooringsport, Oil City, Rodessa, Vivian -- are not subject to the parish land use ordinances.

The unincorporated areas of the parish are subject to restrictions on land use contained in numerous parish ordinances. This includes Bethany, Caspiana, Cecile, Dixie, Dixie Garden, Ferry Lake, Flournoy, Forbing, Four Forks, Gayles, Keithville, Lachure, La Rosen, Lewis, Lorraine, Lucas, Mira, Myrtis, Preston, Reisor, Robson, Spring Ridge, Trees, Zylks and other outlying unaffiliated areas of Caddo Parish.

Parish ordinances that affect land use deal with the following:

alcoholic beverages;

amusements and entertainment;

animals and fowl;

building codes and permits;

business licenses and regulations;

flood damage prevention;

housing and economic development;

motor vehicles and traffic;

nuisances;

oil, gas and hydrocarbon wells;

planning and development;

roads and bridges;

solid waste;

stormwater management;

subdivisions;

utilities.

These ordinances have been on the books for several years without any major controversies. Thus, the repeal of the UDC does not leave the five-mile zone as a wild west area without any land use restrictions.