Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 33, § 4726. Zoning commission; recommendations; public hearing

A. In order to avail itself of the powers conferred by R.S. 33:4721 through 4729, the legislative body of the municipality shall appoint a zoning commission whose function it shall be to recommend the boundaries of the various original districts as well as the restrictions and regulations to be enforced therein, and any supplements, changes, or modifications thereof. Before making any recommendation to the legislative body of the municipality, the zoning commission shall hold a public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be published at least three times in the official journal of the municipality, or if there be none, in a paper of general circulation therein, and at least ten days shall elapse between the first publication and date of the hearing. After the hearing has been held by the zoning commission, it shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislative body of the municipality. The legislative body shall not hold its public hearings or take action until it has received the final report of the zoning commission.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions in Subsection A, the governing authority of the city of Lafayette may empower the zoning commission to determine the boundaries of the districts as well as the restrictions and regulations to be enforced therein, and any supplements, changes, and modifications thereof. In such case, public hearing and notification requirements shall be the same as those for zoning commissions operating solely as a recommending board. The zoning commission shall promptly notify the municipal governing authority of any action taken pursuant to such authority as may be granted to it as provided in this Subsection. Any action of the zoning commission may be appealed to the municipal governing authority in accordance with procedures established by such governing authority. Nothing in this Subsection shall prohibit the municipal governing authority from enacting ordinances relating to those matters which it empowers the zoning commission to determine.

C. Where a municipal planning commission exists it shall be the zoning commission.