THE ZACHA Y
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W e d n e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 4, 2024
‘What are we doing?’ BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
Two days before Thanksgiving, the Zachary City Council took the first step toward doing something that local political candidates and elected officials have flirted with on and off for the past decade: imposing a moratorium on residential development. The council, on a 3-2 vote that came after a lengthy debate, introduced an ordinance Nov. 26 that would ban many homes from being constructed in Zachary for up to one year. Council member Brandy Westmoreland, who put the measure
on the agenda, stipulated that the moratorium could be lifted sooner if certain conditions are met — such as adopting a new master plan, which is in the works and could clarify several planning and zoning questions the council has raised at recent meetings. The moratorium would apply only to new residential developments of more than five lots. The ordinance states that “this moratorium will not affect the issuance of individual building permits for constructing residential single family structures, buildings and/or sheds.” Planned unit developments and traditional neighborhood developments also would be exempt.
The council must vote to formally adopt the moratorium ordinance at its next meeting, Dec. 10, when it also will entertain public comments on the matter. If approved, this won’t be Zachary’s first moratorium. The city halted residential construction during a period of growth in the late 2000s. In the ensuing years — during which the city’s population doubled — the idea of enacting another moratorium has been tossed around regularly as a possible way to give the city time to come up with solutions to infrastructure woes like traffic and drainage problems.
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Zachary City Council considers restriction on residential development During election seasons, it has been common for candidates to take a stand on the controversial tactic. It has been all talk — until now. A lot has led up to this point. The current and previous councils have passed ordinances aimed at slowing the pace of development, such as increasing minimum lot size requirements and holding developers to strict construction and design standards. They seem to have worked: Bryant Dixon, planning and zoning director, noted that just one subdivision inside city limits — the Americana Crossing planned unit development — has been approved
since he began working in Zachary in late 2021. Still, with its population approaching 20,000, Zachary is feeling the effects of a surge in newcomers to the area. Longtime residents have become frustrated with the strain being put on roads, schools and other resources as they watch new houses go up, many of them in subdivisions authorized years ago under a prior administration. The city also has been impacted by projects cropping up along the La. 964 corridor outside city limits. In these areas, developers don’t
ä See DEVELOPMENT, page 3G
Dance Lessons
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Christmas events on tap in area Christmas in the Village is Dec. 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Zachary. It will include lights in the park, a snow globe photo opportunity, Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as the Grinch’s sleigh, “snow,” train rides, a tree lighting and a gingerbread wonderland. Christmas parade: The Zachary Chamber of Commerce announced it will have its first Christmas parade grand marshal, a role that will be filled by Zachary Mayor David McDavid. The Christmas parade, which will march Dec. 14 down Main Street, is themed “Luau Under the Mistletoe.” The parade begins at 10 a.m., with the lineup starting in the Rouses Market parking lot, 2300 Church St., and continues east along Church Street to Main Street in downtown Zachary. Chase Santa: The Zachary Charity League Chasing Santa 5K & Kids Half-Mile Fun Run is Dec. 14 at 4100 School St. Chase Santa through the streets of
ä See AROUND, page 2G
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
Amelia Godbee, Jaclyn Moffett, Kent Caperton and Walter Godbee demonstrating the ‘hole in the wall dance’ of the late 18th century during lessons at the Pride-Chaneyville Library. ä More photos. PAGE 4G The Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library hosted dance lessons in November taught by the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society. The society members shared their expertise in 18th- and 19th-century dances, such as the “hole in the wall.”
Zachary High’s hoop dreams rooted in talent, preparation Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
Coach Jon McClinton and the Zachary High boys basketball team have had a sizzling start to the 2024-25 season. Four early season games in November resulted in four victories over Captain Shreve (57-45), St. Thomas Moore (79-46), Port Allen (73-37) and Sophie B. Wright (79-43). Xavier Ferguson is the sole returning starter for the Broncos but, as is typical with McClinton’s previous teams, several players
have logged minutes. Ferguson earned All Metro honors last season. “We are very talented, athletic, not as big as we have been in the past but we can shoot it better,” McClinton commented. McClinton further noted that “they work hard, play hard and if we can rebound and share the ball we will be all right.” As usual, District 4-5A is loaded and McClinton expects Liberty (the 2023-24 Division I Select State
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Champion) to be very good and the team to beat. Scotlandville is strong, as always. “Catholic is going to be good, and I think Central may surprise people because they will be better than they have been in the past,” McClinton said. To add to the intrigue, the Broncos will have to travel to Central, McClinton’s alma mater, on Feb. 18. Statewide, McClinton indicated that Ruston had most of their team
coming back and should be very good. “Natchitoches Central always plays hard and made it to the state championship last year and should compete,” McClinton said. He also indicated that Denham Springs has a good team and could make a deep run. The Broncos scrimmaged the Yellow Jackets earlier this year and saw them up close and personal. Though they
ä See BRADY, page 3G
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