David Drive Sign Amortization 

Background

A major initiative of the Lafreniere Sub Area Plan is the revitalization of the David Dr. corridor between W. Napoleon Ave. and Veterans Blvd. As part of the implementation study, a new zoning district, the Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU) district, was created and mapped along David Drive in June 2021.

Zoning Map showing TCMU District mapped along David Drive between W. Napolean and Veterans Blvd. 

N-Y Associates conducted a sign inventory along the portion of David Dr. reclassified to the TCMU zoning district for the purposes of identifying signage clutter, illegal signs and determining best practices in revitalizing the David Dr. corridor adjacent to Lafreniere.

Following the completion of this inventory, N-Y and Associates recommended that “…the best path forward for the Parish to make a prompt and obvious visual change for the redevelopment of the David Drive corridor in the Lafreniere Sub -Area” was to amortize the non-conforming signage along this corridor. The amortization of nonconforming signage along the David Dr. corridor was included as an action item in the Lafreniere Sub Area Plan.

Sign Amortization Ordinance 

On December 8, 2021, the Parish Council adopted Ordinance 26316 to provide for the amortization of nonconforming signs for properties zoned Town Center Mixed Use District (TCMU) along the portion of David Dr. between W. Napoleon Ave. and Veterans Memorial Blvd.

The ordinance states that legally nonconforming signs erected prior to the effective date of the ordinance may continue to be maintained until December 31, 2026.  Thereafter, unless such signs conform to the provisions of this article, they shall be removed.  The ordinance also requires immediate removal of certain non-conforming signs and provides guidance for signage. Notwithstanding Sec. 33-3.54.5(e), billboards erected in compliance with parish or municipal regulations at the time of erection are not subject to amortization.

View the Ordinance 

View the Report

View the Presentation 

View the Sign Inventory

TCMU Signage Regulations

The sign requirements of the Town Center Mixed Use District (Sec. 33-3.54, Chapter 33, Unified Development Code, of the Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances). These regulations can be found in Sec. 33-8.7 of the Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances available online at https://library.municode.com/la/jefferson_parish/codes/code_of_ordinances.

The following signs are prohibited in the TCMU District:

1)Pole-type detached signs.

2)Animated signs.

3)Projector signs.

4)Electronic variable message signs.

5)Off-premises signs and billboards.

6)Posters, banners, placards and similar types of signage.

7)All other sign types not specifically allowed in the TCMU.