Future land use maps developed during the land use hearing process as part of the comprehensive plan for Covington were reviewed and amended at the Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night.

Most changes were the result of amending incorrectly drawn land use maps and involve the amending of land uses around commercial corridors. Changes involved the land use depth around the corridors to 1/2 block and in most cases, the 1/2 block not facing the commercial corridor were deemed residential. Changes to the map were amended to agree with the results of the public hearings held last year.

Currently, the city is in the process of constructing a rezoning ordinance, and the next phase of that process will involve block-by-block analyses of zoning requests and needs according to citizen hearings held the past four months. In other business:

• The Oak Alley subdivision received final plat approval based on adherence to city code as to the paving of roads in the subdivision; subsurface drainage servitude requirements between lots 1 and 2; the renumbering of some lots; the formation of a recreation area and resulting removal of some lots and a cul-de-sac; fill existing pond to create two lots; and show a side street setback at 15 on lot 9. The final plat was approved with these changes and the condition the homeowners association be responsible for maintaining the recreation area.

• The Fauberg St. John Town Homes final subdivision review was approved by a vote of 6-0 with a condition the developer post maintenance and performance bonds.

• Pine Crest Apartments final subdivision review was approved conditioned upon posting of performance and maintenance bonds and the completion of the servitude, easements and bridge indications as suggested by Covington city engineer Tom Schreiner.

• The workforce housing update was presented to the commission by Jean Champagne, Chairman-elect of the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce, and Pat Brister, executive director of the Northshore Business Council. There is a critical need for workforce housing, and they are investigating ways to facilitate affordable housing for workers in the parish such as teachers, nurses, police and firefighters. Brister said that according to HUD, a person can comfortably spend 30 percent of their net income on housing. In St. Tammany, rentals and houses are becomingly scarce at a $1,000 per month level. At present, many workers are commuting to St. Tammany from neighboring parishes, especially Tangipahoa and Washington. With gasoline prices increasing, more of these workers will begin looking closer to home to reduce gas bills and commute time.

Champagne and Brister both urged the Planning Commission to keep the affordable housing shortage in mind when rezoning. They also said this type of housing does not apply to government subsidized housing or massive low-income apartments, but to affordable housing guidelines as set by HUD. A loss of critical care and service workers will increase the current workforce shortage, said Brister.

The Board of Adjustment meeting scheduled at 6 p.m., preceeding the planning commission meeting, was not held due to lack of a quorum.  Agenda items will roll over to next month's meeting.