Summary

City Council adopts zoning and budget measures, utility actions, appointments, and agreements; amends permitting rules

New OrleansApr 23, 20264 min read

At a glance

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The New Orleans City Council met April 23, 2026 (10:07 AM) in the City Hall Council Chamber. The consent agenda was adopted; the Council received utility filings from Entergy New Orleans and adopted utility-related rules and an Energy Smart battery storage resolution. The body approved multiple zoning dockets and conditional uses (including hotel approvals and a stadium zoning change), budget appropriations and cooperative endeavor agreements (including housing trust fund administration and Short-Term Rental tax distribution), confirmed numerous appointments, addressed Historic District Landmarks Commission appeals (including approval of demolition at 7310 Freret Street), and adopted amendments to permitting procedures (Cal. No. 35,420). Special recognitions included a Health Department presentation and recognition of Xavier University cheer team.

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Downtown Development GPD General Planned Development Behrman Mixed-Use Integrity Overlay Economic Development New Orleans Redevelopment CPC Character Preservation Corridor Design Overlay Magazine Street Use Restriction Overlay New Orleans Recreation Development

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City Council

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Budget & TaxPublic SafetyHealthcareCommerceElectionsEnvironmentalHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Adopted Consent Agenda and received Entergy New Orleans communications (Securitized Storm Recovery Rider II annual rate revision; 2025 Electric System Distribution Reliability Standards filing).
Amended Chapter 158 to establish utility customer protections and regulatory rules (Cal. No. 35,422) and adopted Resolution R-26-150 advancing distributed energy resources under Energy Smart Battery Storage System Phase 3 (Docket UD-24-02).
Approved multiple zoning dockets and conditional uses, including approvals for ZD Nos. 27/26, 28/26, 29/26 (hotels), and ZD No. 32/26 (stadium) subject to provisos and modifications.
Adopted text amendments creating a Transient Lodging Interim Zoning District (IZD) to require conditional use approval for transient lodging (Cal. No. 35,393).
Authorized budget amendments and appropriations for Film New Orleans and reallocated funds for Independent Police Monitor and Office of Inspector General; appropriated Opioid Abatement Settlement funds and Healthy Brain Initiative grant funds to the Health Department (Cal. Nos. 35,405–35,413, 35,410–35,411).
Authorized cooperative endeavor agreements and amendments: Housing Trust Fund administration with NORA and Finance New Orleans (Cal. No. 35,421); CEA with Arts Council (Cal. No. 35,401); CEA with Sewerage & Water Board for Dwyer Canal Project (Cal. No. 35,404); amendment to CEA with New Orleans & Company for Short-Term Rental tax distribution (Cal. No. 35,402); and authorization for water retention infrastructure at Lindy Boggs site with Mercy Partners (Cal. No. 35,414).
Ratified and confirmed multiple mayoral appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions (Audubon Commission, Ethics Review Board, Finance Authority, Downtown Development District, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, and others).
Approved motions adding the Council President as signatory to several professional services agreements and contracts (including Jay A. Ginsberg, Big Easy Law Group, IV Waste, Mott MacDonald Amendment No. 6), and added the Council President as signatory to the contract with the Louisiana Department of Health (STI/HIV/Hepatitis Program) (M-26-142, M-26-143, M-26-144, M-26-145, M-26-175).
Denied challenges to HDLC demolition approvals and specifically approved demolition of the single-family building at 7310 Freret Street (M-26-153); multiple other HDLC appeals were continued or set for hearings.
Adopted substitute amendment to Cal. No. 35,420 clarifying permit application requirements, extending temporary permit lengths, and expanding appeal rights (adopted as amended).
Adopted Resolution R-26-146 endorsing House Bill 573 (strengthening local accountability and governance) and R-26-155 calling an election in the Lakewood East Security and Neighborhood Improvement District for November 3, 2026.

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