BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A proposed restaurant along Greenwell Springs Road is drawing mixed reactions from neighbors and city leaders. Some say the business could bring new investment to the area, while others worry that alcohol service could bring problems back to the neighborhood.
District 5 Councilman Darryl Hurst hosted a public meeting Wednesday night at BREC’s Sherwood Forest Park to discuss rezoning the former Taco Bell location off Greenwell Springs Road into a family restaurant.
Councilman cites need for investment
Hurst said the area needs businesses, pointing to storefronts closing along Greenwell Springs Road. He said finding a meal after 5 p.m. can be a challenge in the area.
One business owner is pushing for a family restaurant at the old Taco Bell location, not a nightclub, according to the proposal discussed at the meeting.
Hurst argued the neighborhood needs investment, not another business opportunity blocked. After the meeting, Hurst declined to comment on the potential restaurant.
Neighbors raise alcohol concerns
Debra Dow, a 26-year Park Forest resident, said she does not oppose the restaurant itself.
“We don’t mind Mr. Cobody having a restaurant,” Dow said.
But Dow said the potential for alcohol service is a concern.
“Our problem is the after-hours and the overflow that will result from that particular restaurant,” Dow said.
Dow said the site’s past includes the After Hours club, where people drank in the parking lot. She said neighbors have dealt with noise, traffic cutting through the neighborhood, and repeated calls to police. Dow said residents fear alcohol service could bring those problems back, just feet away from a school and nearby homes.
Jennifer Gonzales, a Park Forest resident, raised similar concerns about the restaurant’s proximity to a school.
“I don’t think it’s good to have a school where you have young children right next to an alcoholic,” Gonzales said. “Because how is that going to influence young children seeing adults getting drunk and doing rowdy stuff?”
Dow said she hopes the councilman will listen to residents.
“I just hope that everybody will be proactive instead of reactive. That our councilman hears us,” Dow said.
What’s next
The zoning request is limited to a restaurant. Even if it passes, the owner would still need a separate liquor license. The Metro Council is scheduled to consider the rezoning later this month.
Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.
Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.
Dining and Cooking