Livingston Parish Council considering regulations on power plants, electric-generating facilities

The Livingston Parish Council is reviewing an ordinance to amend the parish's Unified Land Development Code, introducing the first specific regulations for modern power plants and electric-generating facilities. The proposed regulations, championed by District 5 Councilwoman Erin Sandefur for two and a half years, would restrict these facilities to heavy industrial districts, require special use permits, impose a minimum 10-acre lot size, enforce a 500-foot setback from residences, and limit noise to 60 decibels. A permit fee of $100 per acre, with a $10,000 minimum, is also included.

The timing of the ordinance has raised concerns among residents, who speculate it is a response to rumors of a potential data center being built in the parish. Council members, including Sandefur and Ryan Chavers, along with Parish President Randy Delatte, have publicly denied any current plans for a data center in Livingston Parish, attributing the timing to coincidence. The ordinance, which Sandefur notes is also expected to be built upon if passed, is scheduled for a public hearing and possible adoption at the next council meeting on September 24, allowing for public input.