Quick take
- On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Bossier Parish Police Jury approved PBRG Properties LLC's request to rezone about 118.3 acres near Louisiana Downs from Racetrack District to Residential Manufactured Home Subdivision District. The item had been tabled in September.
- The developer's engineer said the lots and homes would be privately owned, not rented. The zoning is not final approval of the subdivision; plans have to come back.
- A traffic study found no parish road improvements were needed. It noted existing problems at U.S. 80 and Bodcau Station Road, where DOTD has a project planned.
- Louisiana Downs opposed the request. Neighbors raised concerns about nearby property and traffic, including on Riverbend Road.
A stretch of land near Louisiana Downs can now be developed for manufactured homes. Bossier Parish police jurors voted Wednesday, Oct. 21, to rezone about 118.3 acres for PBRG Properties LLC. The land moves from Racetrack District to Residential Manufactured Home Subdivision District, BIZ Magazine reported in a story carried by the Bossier Press-Tribune. The jury had tabled the request Sept. 16, the meeting agenda says. The agenda lists the land as 118.312 acres in Police Jury District 2 and notes a favorable recommendation from the Bossier City-Parish MPC.
What the developer says
Kurt Nixon of Nixon Engineering Solutions spoke for the developer. He said the lots and homes would be privately owned, not rented. “We want to encourage private homeownership,” Nixon told jurors. Lots of about 50 by 100 feet came up in early discussion, but that size is not final.
The rezoning is not final approval of the subdivision. The plans still have to come back to the parish. Under this zoning, manufactured homes are allowed without a separate hearing for each home.
Traffic
A traffic study found no parish road improvements were needed. It did point to existing problems at the U.S. 80 and Bodcau Station Road intersection. Parish officials said DOTD agreed and already has a project planned there. No timetable was given. The study also suggested changing signal timing, which DOTD agreed could help, officials said.
Who opposed it
Willie Miner, director of operations at Louisiana Downs, told jurors, "Our stance remains the same and we oppose this project." Nearby property owner Diane Alexander also opposed it. She cited the effect on nearby property and more traffic on Riverbend Road. Another neighbor, Jonathan Alexander, asked whether the roads could safely handle more traffic, especially during wrecks or other emergencies.