Bossier City Council meetings are typically reasonably short in duration as the council dispenses with the city’s business with some expediency as members are generally well-versed on city. And there’s rarely a call for an executive session on the east side of the river.

But the last couple of council meetings have been exceptions to that expediency.

Earlier this month, council members had extended discussion at both an agenda meeting and the subsequent regular meeting concerning the issue of amending the city-parish Unified Development Code’s architectural design standards. Metropolitan Planning Commission Executive Director Sam Marsigla recalled for the Council that the city-parish master plan update was approved in March, and that the MPC has worked for several months to upgrade UDC standards to come in line with the update.

The issue before the Council was the MPC’s recommendation to require more attractive exterior appearance for new and renovated commercial buildings.

Marsiglia noted that as commercial development has grown to begin encroaching near residential development, there’s a call for these buildings – often metal buildings – “to look nice all the way around, not just in the front.”

Thus the MPC’s recommendation for substantial upgrade of the standard to require construction materials that will create an appealing 360 degree view of a building.

Council discussion suggested that members have different ideas on how this issue should be addressed. Atlarge member David Montgomery expressed concern that local developers may be reluctant to look at re-development of older areas of town if property renovations are cost-prohibitive related to the return on investment. He recommended the MPC explore a graduated level of standards.

On the other hand, Scott Irwin, District 1, was adamant that areas around Barksdale, particularly the gates to the base, be subject to standards “as strict as could be … I would like to see the area around the base look modern and attractive and compete with other progressive cities.”

Further discussion indicated that while the Council appreciated the months of MPC work on this issue, members believe it deserves a longer study to ensure new development and re-development of older areas moves forward – thus, the issue was remanded back to the MPC.

The council’s mid-month meeting was the occasion for an executive session, which according to the meeting agenda, was related to the U.L. Coleman Company lawsuit against Bossier City and the MPC.

While council members did not indicate the specific issue to be discussed during their regular meeting, it likely concerns the park that is being designed for south Bossier adjacent to the Coleman property. Pursuant to the Consent Decree that resulted from the lawsuit, the city is required to “contribute $1 million to develop a park.”

Although council members have not discussed any issues they may have with the park’s design, just a quick look at the plan gives one an idea of what their concerns might include.

The current park plan apparently calls for amenities the cost of which far exceed that $1 million – and from this view, may create potential liabilities for the city. Two lakes, an amphitheater (with seating for 1,800), and an open air pavilion and stage, along with a café and outdoor seating, are only a few of the amenities included in the plan.

The up-front cost of developing this plan to reality is just one issue; the cost of maintaining the area with its irrigation, constant landscaping care and clean-up – and potential liability from attractions like the lakes – must also be concerns for Council members.

Also from this view, while the lakes might be a nice addition to a park, the real “water feature” is the Red River, which will be accessible from the park just a short walk across the bridge over the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway. And of course, for the public, there’s also the question of what’s been suggested as a neardecade build-out of the Coleman property development.

The potential cost is an issue for the Council members – do they ask the Court to enforce the $1 million contribution to the park as agreed to by the parties – or maybe the consent agreement isn’t written in legal stone? Or do they simply throw in the towel and find the additional money? It’s a tough decision either way – and certainly reason for longer, thoughtful meetings and even an executive session.

In the meantime, south Bossier residents interested in the Barksdale Boulevard Redevelopment planning should mark their calendars for 5 to 8 p.m. July 31 at CenturyLink Center, where the plan will be revealed.