The City of Covington’s Planning and Zoning Department is preparing for Covington’s future with the adoption of the City’s 2006 Comprehensive Plan. As
the City of Covington adopts the plan, the City continues to expand. It is necessary to continue in the planning process. During 2008, the Department will
be working with a consultant team to update the city’s land use regulations in accordance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and vision.

The Department’s Mission
To promote quality, sustainable development within the City through such programs as growth and land use management, community development, and code and zoning compliance. Our goal is to provide all services and information in an efficient and customer-focused manner.

Challenges.
St. Tammany Parish’s growth has brought both opportunities and challenges to the City of Covington. While growth of the Parish has increased the availability of goods and services to North Shore residents and increased tax revenues, it also has brought challenges.

The primary issue for the Planning & Zoning Department is to promote livable and sustainable development, which ensures more orderly and efficient growth within the our community. During the next few years, Planning & Zoning Department will focus on comprehensive planning and growth management, zoning and development standards, strengthening code administration and zoning services, and the coordination of planning efforts with St. Tammany Parish.

The Planning and Zoning Department administers the regulations that govern how land is developed within the City of Covington. Subdivisions, apartment complexes, shopping centers and business parks are all forms of land development.

Land development regulations help—
Provide for sound community growth by establishing certain standards for new land development or redevelopment.

Protect both quality of life and quality of investment for homeowners, developers and citizens by insuring that development within our community meets certain requirements and standards.

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Rules and Procedures
1. PURPOSE: These Rules of Procedure are adopted in order to facilitate the orderly conduct of business and matters that come before the Covington Planning and Zoning Commission.
2. REGULAR MEETING DATES: Regular meetings of the Commission are held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 pm, in the Covington City Council Chambers at 222 Kirkland Street, Covington, or at a time and place otherwise indicated by the Commission,All requests by the public for Planning and Zoning Commission action shall utilize the appropriate application forms and submit the appropriate related petitions, legal descriptions, survey plats, engineering plans, legal documents, etc. as follows:

a. Requests for rezoning shall follow the procedures as found in Appendix B - Zoning, of the City of Covington Code of Ordinances, and as found on the handout entitled "Procedures to Initiate a Change in Zoning Classifications",

b. Requests for tentative, preliminary, and final subdivision/resubdivision approval shall follow the procedure, complete the appropriate forms, and supply all other materials as required by the City of Covington Subdivision Regulations.

c. All forms, petitions, exhibits, and other documents relating to an application shall be submitted to the Planning Office and not to the individual Commissioners. In addition, proponents and opponents of an application shall not contact individual Commissioners outside of the Commissioners public hearings to discuss an application nor shall individual Commissioners communicate with proponents or opponents with regard to an application outside of the Commission's public hearings.

(1) Typewritten or Hand Printed, Signatures, Nature of Applicant's Interest:

All applications shall be typewritten or hand printed and shall require the signature of the owner, and the developer, or other party in interest, and show the nature of the interest (i.e., owner, lessor, developer, or other) of the applicant,

(2) Reasons and Supporting Facts, Location of Property:

The application shall clearly state for the Planning and Zoning Commission action sought and the reasons and supporting facts thereof, and include the legal description and the locations of the property.

(3) Maps, Surveys, -etc.:

All maps, surveys, plot plans, or other data, which are necessary for an adequate consideration of the application, shall be attached to the application.

(4) Reference to Planning and Zoning Provisions:

The application should make specific reference to the provisions of planning and zoning ordinances or state statutes, if known, when they bear on the case presented.

(5) Advertisement, Public Notice:

Public notice shall be given in the official journal of the application for Commission action, as prescribed by applicable planning and zoning laws and ordinances.

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In general, applications must be received in time for the staff to meet the advertising due-dates of the City's official journal in order to give public notice for the appropriate time period as prescribed by law or adopted procedure prior to the next Commission meeting, A complete list of deadline dates for application filing and submittal of plans and specifications for review can be obtained from the Commission office. The actual due dates will vary depending upon the scheduled meeting date and its relation to the journals due-date/printing schedule. Please note the required publication time periods are as follows:

a. Zoning Requests. La.R.S. 33:4724
Notice of the proposed change and of the time and place of the hearing shall be published once a week for three (3) weeks in the official journal of the City. At least fifteen (15) days shall elapse between the first publication and the date of hearing. In addition, the site shall be posted at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing stating the proposed changes and the time and place of the public hearing.

b. Subdivision and Resubdivision, other than Administrative Resubdivision
Advertisement of the scheduled hearing shall be published at least once in the City's official journal and the subject property will be posted at least ten (40) days prior to the scheduled meeting and bearing.

c. Intentionally left blank

d. Requests for Additional Information:
The Commission may require additional information, plans, etc. from the petitioner in order to make a decision and shall have the authority to set a deadline for receiving such additional information. Failure to meet such a request by the established deadline date may result in case having disposition rescinded.

e. Exceptions:
The Commission will not accept any application and/or fees for a request that is not in conformance with the Covington Zoning Ordinance. If a variance is needed to modify certain requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, the petitioner must first obtain a favorable disposition from the Board of Adjustments before filing or matters to be heard before the Planning and Zoning Commission except as set forth in (f.) below.

f. To avoid de facto rezoning, resubdivision requests must be heard by Planning and Zoning before lot size, length or width
variances may be heard by Board of Adjustments.

g. Alternate

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The Commission, in accordance with applicable laws and statutes, will review and make recommendations on such matters as:

a. Petitions for Annexation
b. Requests for Revocation of Street Dedications
c. Adoption of Comprehensive Plans, Major Street Plans, Subdivision Regulations, Fire Code, Building Codes, etc.
d. Other matters of planning and zoning interests shall be placed on the agenda of the Commission's meetings for discussion and action at the earliest practicable date consistent with the urgency of resolving the City's business and the specific cases presented by the public as outlined in paragraph 3 above. The establishment of priorities on the agenda shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the Planning Commission or the Chairman of the Zoning Board, as appropriate.

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The General Order of Business for Planning and Zoning Commission meetings shall be:
a. Call to order
b. Roll Call
c. Reading and adoption of minutes of last meeting.
d. Public Hearings and Action for advertised cases.
e. Old Business
f. New Business
g. Adjournment

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In the event an application for Commission action is timely filed, it shall be heard by the Commission under the following rules:

a. List of speakers. Before any discussion begins, all persons who desire to speak either in favor of or against the action sought shall sign a sheet to be kept by the Secretary, giving their names and places of residence.

b. Counsel. All parties shall have the right to be represented by counsel but is not required.

c. Reading of Petition or Application: Before the hearing commences, the Chairman (or at his direction, the Secretary) shall read aloud the application for Commission action.

d. Irrelevant, Immaterial and Repetitious Evidence: Formal Rules of Evidence such as are used in judicial proceedings shall not apply, but the Chairman may (subject to reversal by a majority vote of the Commission) exclude irrelevant, immaterial or repetitious evidence or testimony. All speakers should limit their testimony and evidence to matters that are relevant to or bear on the matters raised by the application for commission action.

e. Time Limit on Speakers: After the list of speakers is completed, the Chairman (subject to reversal by a majority of the Commission) may establish a time limit for each speaker.

f. Proponents Speak First. An applicant or petitioner shall appear to speak in favor of an application and make himself or herself available for Commission members' questions. If the applicant or petitioner does not appear, then the Commission may act on the application at its discretion. The applicant and all proponents shall first give their testimony and argument and submit their evidence. Commission members may question any speaker. Upon completion of statements by opposition, if any, the applicant shall have opportunity for brief rebuttal.

g. Opponents Speak Next. Any person(s) who oppose applications and/or requests for Commission action shall give testimony and argument before the Commission. The Opponent may have the opportunity for rebuttal at the Commission’s discretion.

h. Commission Deliberations - Executive Session. The Commission may only go into Executive Session in accordance with State "Open Meetings" Laws.

i. Taking Matters Under Advisement. The Commission may take matters under advisement for resolution or decision at subsequent session.

j. Vote Required. The vote of a majority of the Commission members present, provided there is a quorum, will prevail in all matters, except where the law requires otherwise.

k. Commission's Attorney. The Commission may have its attorney present at any hearing Or Meeting for advice,

1. Requests for Withdrawing or Tabling Action on advertised Planning and/or Zoning cases:

Any request by a petitioner to withdraw a case which has been advertised for public hearing must be made in writing and submitted to the Planning office no later than 12 o'clock noon on the day of the scheduled meeting and hearing. The Commission, at its meeting, will acknowledge petitioner's request to withdraw said case. The petitioner is not entitled to a refund of the filing/application fee and shall be prevented from filing application for same consideration for a period of ninety "90) days.

Any request by a petitioner that the Commission table action for an advertised case will be considered at the discretion of the Commission.

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Citizens and/or property owners of the City of Covington will be permitted to ask questions and/or comment on general planning and zoning matters, if any, as time permits, after the hearing of specific cases. Nothing in these Rules of Procedure are to be construed to infringe upon the right of citizens to seek information and be heard, providing the subject matter falls within the scope of the Commission's responsibilities,

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In the event these Rules of Procedure should contravene any Covington ordinance or Louisiana Statute, the Ordinance or Statute shall prevail.

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Television, movie or still photographs may be taken during regular meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission under guidelines laid down by the Chairman which shall insure the freedom of the media to pursue legitimate news objectives, and which at the same time insures no obstruction or interference with the citizens, freedom of expression or participation, and the orderly conduct of the meeting.

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Except to the extent that they may be contrary to the provision of any Covington Ordinance or State Statute, or contrary to the provisions hereof, the provisions of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern parliamentary procedure and the conduct of all meetings.

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Upon a majority vote of the commission, provisions of these Rules of Procedure may be waived in exceptional circumstances where justice and fair play necessitates a waiver of the rules. However, the advertisement and Public Notice requirements as listed herein shall not be waived, nor shall any provision hereof be waived that is a requirement of a Covington ordinance or State Statute.

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City of Covington Louisiana, 609 N. Columbia St., P.O. Box 778, Covington, Louisiana 70434 504-892-1811 Fax 898-4738

APPLICATION FOR ZONING CHANGE WILL INCLUDE

ZONING FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE
ZONING CASE NO.:
ZONING APPLLICATION CUT OFF DATE/DEADLINE
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING DATE
APPLICATION ACCEPTED BY: (DATE: )

PROPERTY OWNER(s)
NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER:
SIGNATURE: ( AND DATE:) (I hereby certify that the petitioner has permission to applyfor a zoning change).

PETITIONER(s) NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER:
SIGNATURE: (AND DATE:)
(I hereby certify all information submitted to the City of Covington is TRUE & CORRECT:
Failure to submit correct information may result in denial of petition).

REQUEST ZONING CHANGE FROM: --TO: SITE OF ZONING REQUEST (in acres):

LOCATION OF PROPERTY (GENERAL DESCRIPTION, Proposed Use:, Previous Use of Site:, Square Feet of Building:, Lot Sizes:, Height of Proposed Building(s):, Hours of Operation:, # of Employees:

APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF THE FOLLOWING
One (1 )copy of the VICINITY MAP indicating location of property
One (1) electronic copy of the TYPED LEGAL DESCRIPTION And CASH SALE DOCUMENT for the property
One (1) NOTARIZED AND SEALED COPY of The PROPERTY OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATION FORM
Ten (10) copies of the SURVEY signed and sealed.
One (1) copy of a Letter Stating why a Zoning Change is needed for the site.
A pre-application meeting with the City Planner is advised.

APPLICANT SHOULD RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING:
Copy of the applicable district regulations,
Copy of Part 4, Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations (if applicable)
Copy of Part 4.4, Minimum Landscape Requirements for all multi-family, commercial, religious, educational, industrial,
and institutional uses (if applicable)
Property Ownership Certification Form

MY SIGNATURE CERTIFIES THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THE ABOVE CHECKED ITEMS

Applicant‘s Signature __________________________________________ Date :____________________

APPLICANT SHALL CONFORM TO:* Minimum Standards for the Proposed Use*
( Due to advertising and public hearing deadlines, a three to eight week period may be required for processing.)

The Petitioner or Representative must be present at the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.
The petitioner, in order to request tabling of a case, must give Forty-eight (48) hours written notice.
All applications and required fees must be submitted and paid by 4:00 P.M. of the deadline date.
All applications must comply with the City of Covington regulations for advertising in the Official Journal.
Ten (10) days before the Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing, the property will be posted on or near the site with a Public Hearing Notice sign indicating time and date of the Public Hearing.
The decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall not become effective for ten (10) working days, during which time an appeal can be made in written form to the Clerk of the City Council.

Application Fees: =$75.00 PAID (DATE)
Single-Family Residential: Lots at $75.00 dollars per lot

Multi-Family Residential: Lots at $75.00 dollars per lot, Not to exceed $2,500.00 dollars

Non-Residential: Lots at $75.00 dollars per lot, Not to exceed $500.00 dollars

Advertising Fees: =$75.00

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a. Ten (10) sets of Preliminary Plat of Proposed subdivision
b.One (1) set of 11 x 17 Preliminary Plat of proposed subdivision

PRELIMINARY PLAT SHALL SHOW:
c. Subdivision name, the names and addresses of the owners, and the designer of the plat, and names and addresses of persons to whom notice hereinafter provided for shall be sent

d. Date, approximate north arrow, and graphic scale. Locations of existing and platted property lines, streets, building, water courses, railroads, sewers, bridges, culverts, drainpipes, water mains and any public utility easements

e. Names, locations, widths, and other dimensions of proposed streets, alleys, easements, parks and other open space, reservations, lot lines and building lines

f. Preliminary sketch plans or proposed utility layouts (sewer, water, gas (when available) and electricity) showing feasible connections to existing and proposed utility systems

g. Contour intervals to sea level datum of not more than one (1) foot

h. Spot elevations of all breaks in grades along drainage channels or swales and at selected points not more than two hundred (200) feet apart in all directions

i. Limits of flood zones as indicated on federal flood insurance program maps

j. Typical cross-sections of the proposed grading and roadways, sidewalks, and topographic conditions draw to a scale of not less than one (1) inch equals twenty (20) feet vertical

k. Acreage of land to be subdivided

Vicinity map showing location of subdivision site

l. All phases shown on preliminary plat if subdivision is to be constructed in more than one (1) phase

m. Width and location of any existing street or other public ways and places

n. Complete metes and bounds legal description of land to be subdivided

o. Deed restrictions or covenants (if any)

p. Complete plans and specifications for all proposed improvements (see separate check list)

q. Approval letter for Louisiana Department of Health for water and sewer system

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a. Ten (10) sets of Final Plat of proposed subdivision

b. One (1) 11 x 17 set of Final Plat (s) of proposed subdivision

FINAL PLAT SHALL SHOW:
c. Primary control points, or descriptions, and "ties" to such control points

d. Tract boundary lines, right-of-way lines of streets, easements and other right-of-way and property lines of lots

e. Name and right-of-way width of each street or other right-of-way

f. Location, dimensions and purpose of any easement

g. Number to identify each lot or site

h. Minimum building set back line on all lots and other sites

i. Limits of any portion of land which is below the flood elevation as indicated by U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

j. Location and description of monuments

k. Names of record owners of adjoining platted lands

l. Names and addresses of persons to whom notice of public hearing shall be sent

m. Reference to recorded subdivision plats of adjoining platted land by record name, date and number

n. Title, scale, north arrow and date

o. Any zoning district shown on official map of City

p. Mailing address on each lot

q. Certificate showing that the applicant is the land owner and dedicates streets, rights-of-way, and any sites for public use

r. Certificate by surveyor and engineer as to accuracy of survey and plat

s. Certification by parish health officer for sewerage and water systems

t. Certification by City's Engineer and City Clerk that all improvements were installed in accordance with requirements of City regulations or posting of bond
in sufficient amount to insure completion of all required improvements

u. Certification by City's Engineer and City Clerk that two (2) year maintenance bond in amount of 25% of construction cost has been provided by owner

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