President Clint Cointment and Ascension Parish Council
On Thursday, Ascension’s Parish Council deferred a resolution seeking to establish a panel to vet changes to the development code and Master Growth Plan. The rationale…”experience gained through implementation of the Unified Development Code, together with changing conditions since adoption of the 2019 Master Plan, demonstrates the need for targeted, incremental improvements to both documents to enhance clarity, consistency, efficiency, and long-term implementation without undertaking a comprehensive rewrite of either document unless subsequently determined to be in the best interest of the Parish.”
The advisory committee would be comprised of “members of the Parish Council, the Planning Commission, and the Planning Department will provide an effective forum for studying these matters and developing recommendations for consideration by the Parish Council.”
The council will take up consideration of the resolution, found below, at its August 20 meeting in Gonzales.
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE ASCENSION PARISH UNIFIED
DEVELOPMENT CODE AND MASTER PLAN REVIEW ADVISORY
COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR ITS PURPOSE, MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES,
REPORTING, AND RELATED MATTERS.
WHEREAS, the Ascension Parish Unified Development Code (“UDC”) serves as the Parish’s principal regulatory document governing land development, zoning, subdivision, and related development activities; and
WHEREAS, the Ascension Parish Master Plan, adopted in 2019, establishes the long-range vision and policy framework for the orderly growth and development of the Parish; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes that the Unified Development Code and the Master Plan are separate but complementary documents, with the UDC serving to implement the policies and objectives established by the Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, experience gained through implementation of the Unified Development Code, together with changing conditions since adoption of the 2019 Master Plan, demonstrates the need for targeted, incremental improvements to both documents to enhance clarity, consistency, efficiency, and long-term implementation without undertaking a comprehensive rewrite of either document unless subsequently determined to be in the best interest of the Parish; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that an advisory committee composed of members of the Parish Council, the Planning Commission, and the Planning Department will provide an effective forum for studying these matters and developing recommendations for consideration by the Parish Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Ascension Parish Council that:
Section 1: Creation
There is hereby established the Ascension Parish Unified Development Code and Master Plan Review Advisory Committee (“Committee”).
Section 2: Purpose
The Committee is established solely in an advisory capacity and shall undertake two separate, but related, assignments, with recommendations concerning the Unified Development Code and the Master Plan to be developed independently while recognizing that each document should remain consistent with and supportive of the other.
A. Unified Development Code Review
The Committee shall review the existing Unified Development Code and recommend amendments that improve clarity, specificity, organization, consistency, administration, and implementation of the Code while preserving its overall intent unless specific changes are determined to be in the best interest of the Parish.
B. 2019 Master Plan Review
The Committee shall separately review the 2019 Master Plan and recommend targeted updates that reflect current conditions, anticipated future needs, and evolving community priorities without undertaking a comprehensive rewrite of the Plan.
Section 3: Membership
The Committee shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Ascension Parish Council as follows:
• Three (3) members of the Parish Council;
• Three (3) members of the Planning Commission; and
• One (1) representative of the Planning Department.
The Committee shall elect a Chair and Vice-Chair from among its members.
The Planning Department representative shall provide administrative and staff support to the Committee.
As deemed appropriate, a sub-committee may be established by Parish Council resolution, to include representatives of Parish Engineering/Drainage, Emergency Services, the School Board, business/industry interests, citizen representatives, or other relevant stakeholders.
Section 4: Duties
The Committee may review ordinances, planning documents, studies, policies, and best
practices; receive input from Parish staff, governmental agencies, stakeholders, and the public;
and develop written non-binding recommendations for submission to the Parish Council.
Section 5: Reporting
The Committee shall periodically report its progress to the Parish Council.
The Committee may submit interim recommendations to the Parish Council as portions of its work are completed.
Each recommendation shall include such supporting information and rationale as the Committee determines appropriate to assist the Parish Council in its consideration.
Recommendations concerning the Unified Development Code and the Master Plan may be submitted separately as each assignment is completed.
Section 6: Advisory Status
The Committee is advisory only and shall possess no legislative, administrative, regulatory, or quasi-judicial authority.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as delegating or transferring any authority vested by law in the Parish Council, the Planning Commission, the Planning Department, or any other public body
Section 7: Governing Law
The activities of the Committee shall be conducted in accordance with the Ascension Parish Home Rule Charter, applicable Parish ordinances, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Section 8: Preservation of Statutory Authority
Nothing in this Resolution shall alter or diminish the statutory responsibilities of the Planning Commission or any other public body.
Any amendment to the Unified Development Code or the Master Plan shall proceed through the review, public hearing, recommendation, and adoption procedures otherwise required by applicable law.
Section 9: Term
The Committee shall continue until it has submitted its final recommendations to the Parish Council regarding both assignments, unless sooner dissolved by resolution of the Parish Council
Section 10: Effective Date
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Ascension Parish Council shall record this Resolution in the official records of the Parish and distribute copies as appropriate.
Loading ...