Ascension Parish Council Forms Advisory Committee to Review Development Code and Master Plan
The Ascension Parish Council established an Advisory Committee to review and amend the parish's Unified Development Code and Master Plan. This initiative includes a focus on creating an ordinance specifically guiding the placement and development of data centers, reflecting a sense of urgency regarding high-impact facilities. The Planning and Zoning Commission has deferred the data center ordinance to a future meeting.
The Ascension Parish Council voted to establish an Advisory Committee tasked with examining and recommending amendments to the parish's Unified Development Code and Master Plan. The decision, though split, emphasized addressing new development challenges facing the rapidly growing parish.
The committee's mandate includes reviewing the existing development code for clarity and consistency, and updating the 2019 Master Plan to reflect current and future community needs. Importantly, the council had previously passed a resolution on August 6th supporting the creation of an ordinance to guide the placement and development of high-impact facilities, specifically mentioning data centers, which the Planning and Zoning Commission is now handling. Some council members expressed disappointment with the commission's initial deferral of the data center ordinance.
During deliberations, the council debated the inclusion of the dormant Council Strategic Planning Committee but ultimately amended the Advisory Committee's membership to include four citizens. Recommendations from this new committee will be reported to the Planning and/or Zoning Commission for potential legislative action.