Thibodaux businesses seek zoning changes, less red tap, cleaner city

Thibodaux’s business community’s demands for Mayor Charles Caillouet were straightforward: create a workable zoning plan, eliminate red tape and clean up the city.

Caillouet heard from business owners at a town hall-style meeting Thursday at the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium.

Zoning issues and proposed changes to downtown parking rules have been hot topics among local business owners in recent weeks. The Thibodaux City Council weighed a measure in June that would revise the number of required spaces using the size of a business’ building as a guideline.

Some business owners said that would be burdensome and require more spots than necessary.

The city has grappled with implementing a specific designation for parts of town that have been grandfathered into the zoning rules, which were established in the 1970s.

The current regulations restrict repair and improvements for areas in residential areas, frustrating those who would like to revitalize their space.

Realtor Ben Harang, son of former Mayor Warren J. Harang Jr., said the parking-space issue botched a deal for attorneys to purchase office space in the city and drove down the eventual purchase price by more than $60,000.

Donnes Real Estate employees told the mayor that delays on zoning permits are slowing potential deals.

“Is there any kind of way we can get through these systems faster?” said Jeff Donnes, owner of Thibodaux’s Donnes Real Estate.

“It obstructs business. (People) don’t want to have to wait 60 days for somebody else to make a decision.”

Barber Mike Tardo, 63, suggested clearing and beautifying the banks of Bayou Lafourche.

Caillouet pledged to research each issue and provide answers.

“We’re going to look at all these things,” he said. “We do need some form of regulation. But we don’t need a cumbersome form of regulation.”