Staff Report
The Bossier Parish Police Jury addressed two key items during its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 15, approving a development-related amendment to the Haughton Metropolitan Planning Commission’s (MPC) Unified Development Code (UDC) and formally receiving a federal land patent for parish ownership of a half-acre tract of land.
In a move designed to support smarter growth and improved infrastructure planning, the Police Jury approved the Haughton MPC’s application to amend UDC regulations regarding permanent utility easements. The amendment allows for front-yard utility easements with a 35-foot building setback and requires at least 10 feet from the public right-of-way, providing developers greater flexibility while maintaining safety and accessibility standards.
“This is a positive development for our growing communities,” said District 3 Juror Philip Rodgers, who chairs the Police Jury’s Road/Subdivision Regulations Committee. “We’ve worked closely with the MPC to ensure these updates reflect the needs of both developers and residents.”
The Haughton MPC initially proposed the amendment during its August 11 meeting, emphasizing the need for more adaptable utility layouts in unincorporated areas of the parish. With the Police Jury’s approval, the measure officially takes effect, representing the final step in the amendment process. Parish officials said the change will streamline development efforts and better support Bossier Parish’s status as one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana.
In addition to the zoning update, the Police Jury also announced that it has received a federal land patent from the United States Department of the Interior, officially granting full ownership of a 0.5-acre tract of land to the parish government.
A land patent—the highest form of land ownership in the United States—transfers permanent rights from the federal government to a new owner. It ensures that the Bossier Parish Police Jury now holds complete and perpetual ownership of the land, including rights to its use, management, and development.
The parish has agreed to uphold all environmental, legal, and safety responsibilities tied to the land and to protect the federal government from any future claims or costs related to its use.