St. Landry passes property cleanup ordinance
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OPELOUSAS — Despite two objections from residents, the St. Landry Parish Council on Wednesday night approved an ordinance that enforces nuisance complaints about property conditions in rural areas.
The ordinance gives parish officials the authority to cut grass and high weeds, seize and sell junked vehicles and demolish buildings that are determined to be in a deteriorating condition.
The ordinance also allows the parish to charge property owners for the costs of improvements, removal of vehicles, demolitions or property seizures following complaints.
Violators can also receive misdemeanor summons and fines for noncompliance.
Lawrence Richard and Vincent Malbrough both complained that their property rights will be violated if code enforcers can declare their property a nuisance or remove vehicles considered inoperable.
“I don’t think it’s right that people can just walk into my yard and move my stuff,” Richard said, adding it should be up to a judge or voters to decide whether the ordinance should be enacted.
Malbrough said he has several vehicles on his property that he either repairs for personal use or sells. “Where do my rights come in? I have an open yard with no shop. Now you’re telling me what I can and can’t do with my property?” he said.
Vice Chairman Dexter Brown said the ordinance enables code enforcement officers to evaluate the conditions of property or vehicles that are not operable. Afterward, owners are given a time limit to comply with valid complaints.
Administrative assistant Jessie Bellard said the parish is flexible about the time frame required to either fix property or remove vehicles.
In another matter, the council exempted the Original Zydeco Music Festival from a $100 filing fee and a $500 per-day mass meeting requirement for the annual event held Labor Day weekend.
Also the council approved an Oct. 4 ballot proposition that asks voters to renew a 10-year, 1-mill property tax for District 4 fire protection in the Coulee Crouche area between Sunset and Opelousas.
The ordinance gives parish officials the authority to cut grass and high weeds, seize and sell junked vehicles and demolish buildings that are determined to be in a deteriorating condition.
The ordinance also allows the parish to charge property owners for the costs of improvements, removal of vehicles, demolitions or property seizures following complaints.
Violators can also receive misdemeanor summons and fines for noncompliance.
Lawrence Richard and Vincent Malbrough both complained that their property rights will be violated if code enforcers can declare their property a nuisance or remove vehicles considered inoperable.
“I don’t think it’s right that people can just walk into my yard and move my stuff,” Richard said, adding it should be up to a judge or voters to decide whether the ordinance should be enacted.
Malbrough said he has several vehicles on his property that he either repairs for personal use or sells. “Where do my rights come in? I have an open yard with no shop. Now you’re telling me what I can and can’t do with my property?” he said.
Vice Chairman Dexter Brown said the ordinance enables code enforcement officers to evaluate the conditions of property or vehicles that are not operable. Afterward, owners are given a time limit to comply with valid complaints.
Administrative assistant Jessie Bellard said the parish is flexible about the time frame required to either fix property or remove vehicles.
In another matter, the council exempted the Original Zydeco Music Festival from a $100 filing fee and a $500 per-day mass meeting requirement for the annual event held Labor Day weekend.
Also the council approved an Oct. 4 ballot proposition that asks voters to renew a 10-year, 1-mill property tax for District 4 fire protection in the Coulee Crouche area between Sunset and Opelousas.
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