Public input sought on Thib. zoning maps

By CHANNING PARFAIT

channing@tri-parishtimes.com

Thidodaux’s zoning maps have seen minor changes since the late 1970s, but city officials are seeking public opinion on the draft of an updated zoning map at tonight’s Zoning and Planning Commission meeting.  

The new zoning ordinances have been in the development process for almost two years, and Ryan Perque of the Thibodaux Mayor’s Office said it is important to get the public’s thoughts on the updated plans that are aimed to better protect their properties.  

“(The new zoning) will give our homeowners and our business owners more protection for the investments they have made,” he said. “Their investments should be protected and I believe this new zoning ordinance will do a better job of that.”  

Perque said the city believes it has developed an accurate draft of what Thibodaux needs through a series of code committee meetings, stakeholder meetings and public forum meetings, while also being consulted by the Center for Planning Excellence and Villavaso & Associates.  

But he also welcomes and recognizes changes suggested by the public before the final draft is submitted to the city council for approval.  

“It’s all about what the people have to say,” he said.  “By no means are we trying to rush through this.”  

Some of the big changes to the zoning maps would increase the practice of mix use zones, which Perque says, “allows both residential and commercial owners to occupy those properties comfortably.”  

The current ordinance has places like Thibodaux Regional Medical Center and Nicholls State University classified as residential or commercial zones, but Perque says the new zoning will classify them as institutional.  

“Over time commercial zones have encroached into residential zones and vice versa, and that’s something we had to look at during this process,” he said.

Another change will be the classification of downtown Thibodaux as a central business district instead of a commercial zone, which Perque said reduces the setbacks and restrictions of how many parking spaces are required in a commercial zone.  

He added the intent of the downtown central business district is to recognize the unique and historic character of downtown and to make the area more pedestrian friendly by combing a location for residence and office space. 

Kathy Benoit, president of the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is grateful for the city’s initiative and glad to see the new ordinance moving forward.  

“The current ordinance has been pretty restrictive toward business growth and development,” she said. “We’re very hopeful that this new proposal will be beneficial to everyone.”  

She said the current ordinance also raised concern for residences when commercial buildings would become vacant.  

“Sometimes, when a building would become vacant, it could not be used for commercial purposes as it was before,” Benoit said. “Therefore we were left with a lot of buildings that were not able to be used, which becomes a concern for both businesses and neighborhoods.”  

Tonight’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the Plantation Room at the Warren J. Harang, Jr. Municipal Auditorium. 

Perque and Benoit encouraged business and residential owners in Thibodaux to attend and inform the committee of what improvements can be made to the zoning ordinance.  

“Public input is crucial in the development process and we look forward to receiving (even) more comments and suggestions at the upcoming meeting,” Perque said.