On July 25, Mayor Arceneaux hosted a meeting with downtown property owners to discuss the proposed Vacant Property Ordinance. In recent weeks, the meeting has been publicized through news articles, email campaigns, social media, and other channels. This meeting highlights the importance of ensuring that all property owners have their most recent contact information on file to receive notifications about such significant discussions. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has created a short form to help property owners update their contact information (linked Here).
Mayor Arceneaux began the meeting by welcoming the property owners and thanking them for their participation. He emphasized the importance of their discussions and feedback for the development of the ordinance. The proposed ordinance is modeled after a similar initiative in West Monroe, which has yielded positive results. Mayor Arceneaux also urged attendees to review the ordinance, provide feedback, and consider participating in its development.
Following his address, Mayor Arceneaux opened the floor for property owners to offer constructive feedback, propose ideas, and share their thoughts. Many owners voiced their support for the ordinance but raised several concerns about the current proposal, including:
- Management of ordinance enforcement
- The 90-day time limit for changes, which may not accommodate longer design periods and grant processes
- The requirement for windows versus plywood, with some owners preferring alternatives that obscure the interior work
- Exploring other taxation avenues
- Creating penalties that are fair and effective, especially for larger developers with neglected properties
- Additional issues such as empty lots, abandoned properties, and homelessness
At the conclusion of the open forum, Mayor Arceneaux thanked the participants for their valuable feedback. He stated that the next steps involve collaborating with Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor, who is leading this initiative, to form a draft committee and review potential changes.
The Downtown Development Authority approve Resolution of 1 of 2024 at its July 24th meeting supporting the need for a Vacant Property Ordinance and appreciates the input from all downtown property owners who attended the meeting. To review the current proposed ordinance, please visit this link.
