Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The City Council of the City of Gretna sat this day Wednesday, December 12, 2007 as
the Board of Adjustments & Appeals at 4:30 p.m. with the following members present: Council
Members Jonathan C. Bolar, Belinda C. Constant, Vincent E. Cox III and Wayne A. Rau.
Chairman: Councilman Wayne A. Rau
Absent: Councilman Ricky J. Templet
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The notice for the meeting of the Board of Adjustments & Appeals scheduled for
Wednesday, December 12, 2007, was published in the Thursday, December 6, 2007 edition of
the Times-Picayune, and posted on the bulletin board in front of Gretna City Hall.
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On motion by Councilman Bolar and seconded by Councilwoman Constant, IT WAS
RESOLVED to approve the October 10, 2007 Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting
minutes, and the same was unanimously approved.
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Review: 60-day extension granted on October 10, 2007:
Municipal Address: 1229, 1231 and 1231 1/2 Cook Street
Property description: Lots 21 and 22, Square 31, Suburban Park Subdivision
At this time Mr. David Greenberg, Curator Ad Hoc addressed the Board of Adjustments
& Appeals stating that at the October 10, 2007 meeting, this property was considered for
progress status on repairs. The Board requested Mr. Greenberg to place this property on the
again for tonight’s meeting for review. The action that the Board took at the October meeting
was to accept the recommendation of Miss Susan E. Percle, Zoning Official and Miss Danika
Gorrondona, Building Official to condemn and demolish the property, suspending demolition
action for 60-days in an effort to allow the property owner to bring the property up to code.
Mr. Greenberg stated that he had been in contact with one of the property owners, Mr.
Brian Washington, who is present to provide an update on the repairs.
Miss Danika Gorrondona, Building Official stated that she had inspected the property and
work had been done. The property was now structurally sound however; there were areas of
concerns that still needed to be addressed.
Councilman Bolar stated that he had been monitoring the project and had seen progress
made. He advised that while speaking with the property owner today, the owner requested more
time to complete repairs noted by the Building Official. Councilman Bolar stated that he was in
favor of granting the property owner an additional 60-days to continue repairs towards
completion.
On motion by Councilman Bolar and seconded by Councilman Cox, IT WAS
RESOLVED to grant the owner of the property located at 1229, 1231 and 1231 1/2 Cook Street
a 60-days extension to allow the owner to complete repairs noted by the Building Official, and
the same was unanimously approved.
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Municipal Address: 1408 Weyer Street (Corrected from 1402 Weyer St. 3/12/08
BAA meeting)
Property description: Lot 4, Square 58 Mechanickham Subdivision
At this time Mr. David Greenberg, Curator Ad Hoc addressed the Board of Adjustments
& Appeals stating that the property above was before the Board some time ago, and was passed
in light of the fact that a Building Permit had been issued on it. He was able to contact the owner
of property owner, Mr. Louis E. Phenix III who was present.
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Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Miss Danika Gorrondona, Building Official stated that renovations on the property were
at a standstill since the Building Permit was issued.
Mr. Louis Phenix addressed the Board of Adjustments & Appeals and stated that work on
the property had been stopped because he had been out of town working on his other house. He
advised that at this time the front slab was being placed. The interior of the house had been
rewired and the plumbing repairs would then begin.
Councilman Cox explained to Mr. Phenix that the Board of Adjustments & Appeals was
in an uncomfortable position because they were considering action to demolish the structure,
unaware that a building permit had been issued for repairs at the location. He pointed out to Mr.
Phoenix that he had given the Board his word that work would be begin and be completed as
quickly as possible.
Councilman Bolar asked why was the house initially placed on the blighted properties
list. In addition, he asked was the property considered to be an imminent danger or structurally
unsound. He believed that judging from the photographs provided, it could not be determined if
progress had occurred because initial photographs of the structure were not available to compare.
Councilwoman Constant stated that this property was not an imminent danger
designation because it was not a Hurricane Katrina damaged property.
Councilman Cox stated that the property was blighted and repairs began on the house and
suddenly stopped.
Mr. Phenix explained that the repairs that had begun required the entire structure to be reframed.
Councilman Cox asked the city attorney what actions could the Board take to help the
owner complete the repairs.
The city attorney advised that enough time had passed since the issuance of the building
permit to complete necessary repairs. He believed it would be appropriate for the building
official to make an inspection and thereafter make a recommendation to the Board of
Adjustments & Appeals. The building permit gave the owner the right to make the repairs, but it
did not stop the city from taking action that it deemed necessary for enforcement. If the building
official was prepared to render an opinion on the condition of the structure, the Board could take
action based on that recommendation if not, continue this matter and direct the building official
to re-inspect the property and then report to the Board of Adjustments & Appeals to make a final
decision on this matter.
Councilman Cox suggested that the Board require all repairs to be completed on the
property within 60-days.
Councilman Bolar stated that based on his observation of the photographs of the property,
he believed it was impossible for the owner to complete repairs within 60-days.
The city attorney advised that he would not recommend setting an unrealistic timetable
for the property owner to complete repairs on the structure.
Councilwoman Constant commented that this situation was similar to the property
located at 220 Governor Hall Street.
Councilman Bolar disagreed with Councilwoman Constant’s comments and stated that he
believed the two situations were completely different because the Fried and Governor Hall Street
project cannot be remedied within 60-days. He therefore recommended that the Board allow the
property owner more time to complete substantial repair work. He believed requiring completion
of all repairs was unrealistic within a 60-day timeframe taking into consideration the owner’s
finances.
Councilman Cox stated that the finances of the property owner should not be the concern
of an elective body. He directed the building official to do a thorough inspection of the property
for substantial repairs to include wall installations, sheetrock floated, doors in place, and other
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Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
necessary repairs and improvements needed, all in an effort to place this property back into
commerce as quickly as possible. In addition, he recommended that the property owner work
very close with the city’s building official and make repairs on the house a priority.
On motion by Councilman Bolar and seconded by Councilman Cox, IT WAS
RESOLVED to grant the property owner of 1402 Weyer Street a 60-days extension to make
substantial repairs which were to include wall installations, sheetrock floated, doors in place and
other necessary repairs and improvements, and the same was unanimously approved.
On motion by Councilman Cox and seconded by Councilwoman Constant, and
unanimously approved, the Board of Adjustments & Appeals meeting for December 12, 2007
adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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/S/ AZALEA M. ROUSSELL, CMC
CITY CLERK
CITY OF GRETNA
STATE OF LOUISIANA
/S/ RONNIE C. HARRIS
MAYOR
CITY OF GRETNA
STATE OF LOUISIANA
A TRUE COPY:
/S/ AZALEA M. ROUSSELL, CMC
CITY CLERK
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