By Larry Dietz, CCIM, Associate Broker at Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real EstateIn terms of land-use, zoning is certainly one of the more contentious items a community handles on a continuing basis. Having handled many (on behalf of clients and customers) re-zoning applications and having testified on behalf of the land-owner and/or purchaser, I can personally attest to the fact that there are not many issues that can “wake-up” neighbors as much as an application to re-zone a piece of property.
In some cases I’ve recommended not even submitting an application for the re-zoning, knowing that the site and the intended use were not in keeping with the neighborhood. At other hearings for re-zoning, I was truly surprised at the vehement protestations by neighbors against the intended use. One in particular stands out.A local church was in the process of purchasing a site for its new worship center. In East Baton Rouge parish, a church is a “Conditional Use” in a A-1 zoned district which is a single – family residential use. The neighborhood came out in strong opposition. Surprisingly (and for the first time in the history of East Baton Rouge parish) a church was denied the required permission.
The attached article illustrates other issues communities can face in their land-use decisions.Larry Dietz, CCIM
Associate Broker
To read the article in its entirety click HERE.
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Larry Dietz, an associate broker with Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate, has over 30 years of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations experience. He is a Designee member of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM) and CCIM Louisiana Chapter; a member of the Commercial Investment Division of the Greater Baton Rouge Board of REALTORS® (CID); as well as an affiliate member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). He is a licensed real estate broker in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate is a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce (BRAC); the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce; the Baton Rouge Growth Coalition; the Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau; the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB); and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Several agents, on an individual basis, are members of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM); the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR); and the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division (CID).
