Shreveport City Council examines appeal on Take 5 oil change facility permit

The Shreveport City Council has decided to remand a controversial special use permit application for a vehicle repair facility back to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) for further study, following significant community concerns regarding traffic and safety. The decision came during the council's meeting on February 25, 2025, where residents voiced their apprehensions about the proposed Take 5 oil change location on Villa Bee Road.

Attorney Ronald Mashota, representing local residents, raised critical issues about the lack of a traffic study and the potential dangers posed by increased traffic at an already congested intersection. He highlighted that 33 objections had been filed against the project, emphasizing the community's unease about safety, particularly for children and elderly residents in the area.

Council members echoed these concerns, noting the absence of a traffic study and the implications of a nearby gas pipeline that could complicate the site’s development. The council expressed a desire for thorough investigations into traffic patterns, environmental impacts, and drainage issues before proceeding with any approvals.

In response to the community's feedback, the council voted to send the application back to the MPC, requesting a comprehensive traffic study and additional assessments to ensure public safety. This decision reflects the council's commitment to balancing economic development with the well-being of Shreveport residents.

The council's action underscores the importance of community input in local governance and the need for careful consideration of infrastructure impacts when new businesses seek to establish themselves in residential areas. The MPC will now reassess the proposal, taking into account the concerns raised, before it returns to the council for final approval.