The New Orleans City Council has approved a major revamp of the city’s zoning plan. The vote came after four years of meetings and several hours of last-minute debate.
Councilmembers dissected dozens of amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. And it took hours.
Finally, well past 8 p.m., Council President Stacy Head:
“We have a motion and a second. Please vote your machines. Seven yays, no nays. The CZO as amended is passed.”
The ordinance overhauls the way the city develops – street by street, block by block.
It was so detailed that some of the amendments got their first review on the same day the whole package came up for approval.
Councilman James Gray defended the process.
“I’ve often criticized us for making amendments at the last minute, probably will do it in the future," he said. "But it’s part of democracy. It’s the way democracy works.”
The council sent a handful of amendments back to the City Planning Commission for further review.