The Caddo Commission voted on June 30 of this year to deny the request of Standard Enterprises (Standard) to rezone a tract of land in MLK area from R-A to R-1-7.
The Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously approved the proposed rezoning. The Parish MPC had recommended approval.
The requested rezoning would have allowed the division of a tract into lots less than one acre.
Standard wanted to divide the tract into 100 lots and build rental houses with square footage of 1,500 to 1,700 square feet. The development was to be an affordable housing development, but NOT a Section 8 development.
Commissioner Greg Young represents that area of the parish. His comments at Commission meetings both before June 20 and again on that date were cited in the litigation filed by Standards to have the property zoned R-1-7.
Here is what the litigation cited:
1. Young stated that the proposed project would move more "low-income housing" into the area.
2. Citing no data, facts, statistics, studies, or other evidence, Young said that rental properties lead to a lack of stability in neighborhoods.
3. Young suggested that those in favor of the Project were being "intellectually dishonest" because they would not want it in their neighborhoods.
4. Young said that most people would not want people under economic "stress" coming into their community en masse.
5. Citing no data, facts, statistics, studies, or other evidence, Young said that land use planners are attempting to "segregate" low-income people together. He then opined that "this is not a good plan". According to Young Caddo Parish needs more "diversity" in terms of income and race.
6. Young then suggested to Standard that they should "come back" and see if the other Commissioners would let him put the development in their neighborhood.
The lawsuit alleges that the Commission's decision was not based on relevant facts, data, information or evidence. The suit thus concludes that the Commissions' vote to deny rezoning was "arbitrary and capricious"--which means willful and unreasoning action, absent consideration and in disregard of the facts and circumstances of the case.
The comments of Commissioner Young substantiate the allegations of Standard.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.