THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, J u n e 4, 2025
11TH YEAR, NO. 34
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Four-hour meeting ends with many issues tabled Community news report It took Zachary City Council members four hours on May 27 to wade through a lengthy agenda that featured controversial planning and zoning matters, proposed changes to contract procedures, new rules regarding street parking and more. The meeting, which went until 10:30 p.m., sparked lots of detailed and, at times, contentious discussion — including comments from members of the public and back-
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Help with school window coverings sought
ZACHARY CITY COUNCIL and-forth among council members and city officials. Many in the audience had turned out to voice their opposition to Sherwood Park, a 144-unit apartment complex planned for 9 acres on Lower Zachary Road. The council ended up tabling the matter — delaying a decision on a site plan that has already been before the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission four times in recent
months, each time ending with the commission either deferring a vote or recommending denial of the plan. Residents are worried about how the complex will affect their neighborhood, pointing to the potential impact on their property values and the likelihood of increased traffic on an already-busy two-lane road. They spoke about their concerns at commission meetings, and
many of them returned to reiterate those points to the council. Byron Burkhalter, the project applicant, tried to reassure the audience and council that Sherwood Park would be an asset to Zachary. “I think if you give us a chance, you’ll be very pleased with this development,” Burkhalter said. “This is a $38 million development, which is really hard to put all those sources together to make it work. We really want this to move forward and everybody to be proud of it.”
ä See MEETING, page 2G
FLAGS for remembrance
The Zachary Community School District School Resource Officers are seeking help for a big project. They hope to make 95 covers for classroom windows in Copper Mill Elementary. A news release said window covers are an important tool to keep students and educators safe on campus. They conceal classroom occupants and allow educators to verify who may be outside their door prior to allowing entry into their classroom. Those who can sew are invited to bring their sewing machine and join in person at 2 p.m., June 8, 5160 Old Slaughter Highway, Zachary, to make window covers for classrooms. Others are invited to donate supplies: needs include thread, magnets, 28-48 inch tension rods and fabric. All patterns and colors are welcome so clean out that fabric stash. Donations can be brought to the front office of Copper Mill Elementary School from 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday. See the Zachary Police Department Facebook page for details.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Officials have questioned whether the complex would comply with city development standards and have raised safety concerns over its configuration. Some variations of the site plan have included just one entrance. Burkhalter said the version being presented to the council called for a main entrance plus an emergency-only access. Tom Easterly, an attorney with Taylor Porter representing the project, insisted that the plan
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
Family, friends and loved ones pay their respects at Port Hudson National Cemetery on Memorial Day in Port Hudson.
ä More photos. PAGE 3G
Memorial Day ceremony held at Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
Whitfield at home with the Broncos
The Louisiana National
To say Zachary is home for Chandler Whitfield is gross understatement. He is a product of Zachary who grew up playing football and basketball in town from a young age and continued through Northwestern Middle School and Zachary High School. My first interaction with him was when he was 8 years old starring as a wide receiver in youth football. He was special
Cemetery held its Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26 to honor the fallen soldiers who fought for the country. The 11 a.m. ceremony included speaker, Col. Darren Spears, U.S, Army retiree and presentation of colors by LSU
ä See BRADY, page 2G
color guard. The cemetery is at 303 PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS W. Mount Pleasant Road,
The LSU Color Guard presents the flags Monday during a Memorial Day ceremony at Louisiana National Cemetery. ä More photos. PAGE 4G
Zachary.