SHREVEPORT, La. — The Caddo Parish Commission has approved a zoning change for nearly 26 acres along Box Road, clearing another hurdle for a larger residential development that officials say could include approximately 247 single-family homes at full buildout.
Commissioners voted 10-0 Thursday to rezone 25.763 acres in the 8600 block of Box Road from C-4 Heavy Commercial to R-1-5 Single-Family Residential. Two commissioners were absent.
The property, owned by BYN LLC, is located on the west side of Box Road approximately 1,405 feet south of Mount Zion Road. Metropolitan Planning Commission records describe the site as undeveloped and forested.
The 25.76-acre tract represents only a portion of the larger residential project.
During Thursday’s Commission meeting, MPC Executive Director Stephen Jean said the development is expected to total approximately 247 homes at full buildout. He clarified that the figure includes property within the Shreveport city limits and is not limited to the parcel considered by the Parish Commission.
The approved R-1-5 zoning allows single-family detached homes on lots generally beginning at 5,000 square feet. The developer must still return through the MPC process to subdivide the property into legal lots before development can proceed.
Michael Kelsch of Raley and Associates, representing the property owner and developers, told the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission in September that the rezoning was sought for a residential subdivision off Linwood Avenue north of Calvary Baptist Church.
MPC staff recommended approval, finding the residential use consistent with the area’s Residential Low designation in the parish’s future land-use plan. One person spoke in support at the Sept. 23 public hearing, no opposition was recorded, and the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
The Box Road property has been the subject of several previous land-use proposals.
MPC records show earlier applications involving church and school uses, residential zoning and an unsuccessful effort to annex approximately 65 acres into Shreveport. More recent cases sought industrial zoning in the area, with portions ultimately approved for heavy commercial use.
That history prompted discussion Thursday about drilling activity near the proposed residential development.
Parish officials clarified that drilling underway in the area is south of Mount Zion Road and is not taking place within the sections involved in the residential rezoning.
The surrounding area contains a mix of residential, commercial and industrial zoning. MPC maps show the newly rezoned tract near the Shreveport city limits, with industrially zoned property nearby.
Thursday’s approval changes the allowable use of the parish portion of the property but does not constitute final subdivision approval. Additional MPC review and other permitting will be required as plans for the residential development advance.