Approximately 45 citizens attended the informational meeting held by Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux to review the proposed downtown property standards ordinance. Those in attendance included downtown property owners, property managers, realtors, and concerned citizens.
Some of the issues/concerned expressed included:
1. Well-kept vacant buildings should not be penalized by the proposed ordinance
2. Occupied buildings should have the same property standards as vacant ones
3. Distressed buildings/properties should be focus of the ordinance, not primarily vacant ones
4. Delays in remodeling buildings that are attempting to obtain tax credits, historic designation and/or financing should not be penalized
5. The legality of requiring building liability insurance was questioned
6. Requirements limiting plywood on building woods should be modified
7. Inclusion of SAC to help beautify boarded up storefronts should be explored
8. Registration of building owners/managers is a positive requirement of the ordinance, although fees could be onerous as well as frequency of registration
9. The annual inspection fee for buildings could be onerous
10. Enforcement of the detailed ordinance in the designated downtown area would be best serviced by a Property Standards Inspector assigned to the area
11. Title to adjudicated properties is troublesome issue that hinders maintenance and improvement of properties
12. Homeless individuals in the downtown area are troublesome.
The Mayor commended the comments and suggestions. He advised that the council's Property Standards Committee would be the next step in the approval process before going to the City Council for a vote.
VACANT PROPERTY ORDINANCE SUMMARY SHEET
• The ordinance applies to all properties in the Downtown Development District (DDD), as well as the area along Texas Avenue to Murphy Street and a one-block perimeter around the DDD.
• Vacant structures are defined as structures where all active lawful commercial activity has ceased for at least thirty days.
• The ordinance is to be enforced by the Department of Property Standards. Any decisions they make can be appealed, first to the Mayor and then, if desired, to the City Council. The ordinance establishes a number of minimum standards of care for the exterior of all vacant structures. Generally, these standards are meant to ensure that the exterior structure is kept from deteriorating while it is vacant.
• Vacant structures are required to be secured to keep out unauthorized persons. However, securing with plywood is only allowed for 90 days unless Property Standards approves in writing.
• All owners of vacant property are required to designate a Manager for the structure and provide the City with contact information for the Manager.
• The ordinance establishes a requirement that vacant buildings be registered with the City every six months. Registration will require a fee of $500 ($250 for single-family residential properties):
- Registration is required within 90 days of receipt of written notice issued to the Property Owner
- Late fee of $150 if not registered within prescribed 90-day period
• The registration process will require owners to provide proof of at least $100,000 incomprehensive general liability insurance. In addition, owners must provide a plan for correcting any violations and a description of how the owner plans to maintain the building and market it for sale.
• There are provisions for fee waivers in certain cases. These waivers are intended to incentivize owners to maintain their properties, to rehab them when necessary, and to market them for sale. We are not intending to use this process as a money-maker, but rather as a way to move properties back into commerce as soon as possible.
• There is an annual inspection fee of one cent per square foot due and payable at the time of first registration and annually by January 31 thereafter.
• Failure to comply with the ordinance is a misdemeanor, with penalties increasing if the violations are not corrected.
• After notice of lack of compliance, the Property Owner will be given a reasonable amount of time to remedy the violation prior to the issuance of a criminal citation:
- $500 - first offense
- $750 - second offense
- $1,000 - third offense
- Each 30 days a Property Owner has not complied with the provisions constitutes a separate offense
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.