Shreveport City Council voted no to the ordinance
(The Center Square) — Shreveport residents took to the lectern in this week’s city council meeting to express their deep opposition to a potential rezoning case that was ultimately not passed by the city’s legislative body.
The council voted not to pass Ordinance 48 on Tuesday, looking to amend the Shreveport zoning map for zoning case 25-22-C. According to the case, it would have rezoned residential property in the Reiser area from R-1-5 single-family residential zoning district to an Open Space zoning district.
Henry Brewer, a local Shreveport resident, requested the rezoning for a few trailers he owns. The argument started when Brewer was accused of potentially creating an RV Park and Trailer Park by citizens. However, he insisted to the council this was not the case.
“Everybody keeps talking about a trailer park. It’s not a trailer park, nor has it ever been nor will it ever be. It is three trailers that sit on three lots,” said Brewer. “I’m not trying to rezone the whole community. I’m just trying to rezone the property that I own where my three trailers sit. […] I actually pay more taxes down there than anybody in here.”
Despite Brewer’s reassurance, people who live and have lived in the community for many years were still opposed. Some worried that the rezoning would increase crime in the area or bring in unwanted strangers.
Two people brought petitions signed by those living in the area who opposed the rezoning.
“We do not want our community with RVs in it. We don’t know what kind of people will come, and we actually don’t care. […] I hope that you guys have done some research on it and be able to let us stay the way we are,” said Kara Williams, who currently lives in the subdivision.
Resident Dr. Barbara Cooks brought forth a petition filled with signatures from 95% of the neighborhood.
“It’s a single-family residence, and the homeowners want to make sure it stays a single-family residence. The residents feel that having an RV park would bring in first high crime, second, it could bring in drugs, and third a risk to the safety of our families, which is very important,” said Cooks.
According to Cooks, most of the neighborhood is over 70 years old, with a few around 50.
Brewer also addressed the council during the Monday administrative conference concerning the same issue after attending the May 7 public hearing of the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission of Caddo Parish.
After hearing from the public, Councilwoman Ursula Bowman asked her fellow council members to vote no on the rezoning, in which all six voted against the ordinance.