The City Council held a new kind of meeting Monday night, April 13. Only the Council and a few others were present to keep the gathering to 10 people or less pursuant to a proclamation made by Gov. Own Bel Edwards regarding the Covid-19 epidemic. Anyone watching the live streams on Facebook or Youtube were encouraged to call in, email, or comment their questions for the Council. The Council’s clerk received a few letters of support for one agenda item in particular.

It was the only agenda item that required much discussion: a planning and zoning ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 64 of 2001 by changing the zoning classification of property located at 124 Cypress Avenue from R-1 Residence One-Family to R-2 Residence Multiple-Family to convert an accessory building to a guest house. The Planning Commission recommended at its March 3 meeting that the application of Kirk and Jane Cordell be approved.

Director of Planning and Zoning Juanita Fowler called in over the phone to caution Council members, as she did at the March 9 meeting when the item was introduced, that they may be opening the door to more requests in the future if they approve this one. In May of 2005 the Planning Commission, at the request of the Historic District Homeowners Association changed the zoning classification of various properties to R-1 Residences in a comprehensive effort to downzone the historic district to preserve the overall integrity and livability.

The conversion of the accessory building (a carriage house) into a two-story 3 bedroom unit for the Cordell’s daughter and two grandchildren to live in puts two permanent residences on the property. Per zoning requirements a second meter would need to be installed.

Ordinances currently won’t allow a single meter, which the homeowners would prefer, but they want the project to move forward. Council members agreed that they may be able to look at it in the future from the utilities perspective and see if it requires two meters or if it can be left on one. Councilman Dale Nielsen said he’s glad to see the building being put back into a functional house as opposed to it being torn down and lost. He said he really feels like the best use of the property is to allow it to be reconfigured.

Agenda Items:

PROCLAMATIONS:

Declare April 2020 As Fair Housing Month.

Declare The Week Of April 13-18, 2020 As National Community Development Week.

Declare April 2020 As National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

ORDINANCES – FINAL:

Amend And Reenact Ordinance Number 1103 Of 1974, Also Known As The Zoning Ordinance, Which Is Appendix B To The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Specifically Amending Section II(A)(4), Dealing With Annexed Territory Zoning For Mobile Home Placement, And Section III(A)(4), Dealing With Supplementary Use Regulations, And Sections VIII (B)(4) And (B)(5), Dealing With Amendments, And Sections VII (A)(7) And (B)(3)(B) Dealing With Violations And Enforcement Of Zoning Regulations, And Sections I And V(B)(3)(A) To Add Provision For Permeable Parking, And Further Adopting A Preferred Use Plan For The Development Of Property On The Louisiana Highway 478 Corridor.

Amend Chapter 26 Of The Code Of Ordinances, Entitled Police, In Order To Amend Section 26-2 Which Section Provides For The Implementation Of A Program To Allow A Police Officer To Acquire His Service Firearm Upon Retirement, Specifically Amending Section 26-2, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance.

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:

Adopt The Budget For The City Of Natchitoches For The Fiscal Year June 1, 2020Through May 31, 2021.

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of Natchitoches In Opposition Of All Proposed Legislation That Enables The Legislature To Remove The Authority Of Local Governments To Administer And Collect Local Sales & Use Taxes.

Re-Appoint Cloyd Benjamin, Jr., As A Member Of The Board Of Directors Of The Industrial Development Board Of The City Of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Direct The Levy And Collection Of A One Percent (1%) Sales And Use Tax Upon The Sale At Retail, The Use, The Lease Or Rental, The Consumption And Storage For Use Or Consumption, Of Tangible Personal Property And On Sales Of Services In The District For A Period Commencing On January 1, 2021 And Ending On April 1, 2036 Within The Boundaries Of Natchitoches Economic Development District D, State Of Louisiana In Accordance With And As Authorized By Part Ii, Chapter 27 Of Title 33 Of The Louisiana Revised Statutes Of 1950, As Amended, And Further Providing For Other Matters In Connection Therewith.

Find And Determine That A Public Hearing Has Been Held And That No Objections Were Made To The Levy And Collection Of A One Percent (1%) Sales And Use Tax Upon The Sale At Retail, The Use, The Lease Or Rental, The Consumption And Storage For Use Or Consumption, Of Tangible Personal Property And On Sales Of Services In The District For A Period Commencing On January 1, 2021 And Ending On April 1, 2036 Within The Boundaries Of Natchitoches Economic Development District D, State Of Louisiana In Accordance With And As Authorized By Part II, Chapter 27 Of Title 33 Of The Louisiana Revised Statutes Of 1950, As Amended; And Providing For Other Matters In Connection Therewith.