Regular Meeting
June 15, 2017
City Council Chamber
City Council Regular Meeting News Summary June 15, 2017
NEW ORLEANS - At today's meeting, the Council established the "SBA St. Bernard Avenue Overlay District" to promote affordable housing for senior citizens, adopted a resolution reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the Paris Agreement and granted a conditional use to permit a community center in the historic Seventh Ward.
Additionally, the Council adopted a resolution to approve City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Program recipients and voted to establish a temporary "Clean Zone" for the upcoming Essence Festival.
City Council Regular Meeting News Summary June 15, 2017
NEW ORLEANS - At today's meeting, the Council established the "SBA St. Bernard Avenue Overlay District" to promote affordable housing for senior citizens, adopted a resolution reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the Paris Agreement and granted a conditional use to permit a community center in the historic Seventh Ward.
Additionally, the Council adopted a resolution to approve City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Program recipients and voted to establish a temporary "Clean Zone" for the upcoming Essence Festival.
Council Approves the Creation of New Overlay District to Promote Affordable Housing for Seniors
Today, the Council voted to establish a new overlay district named the “SBA St. Bernard Avenue Overlay District” to promote affordable housing for senior citizens. It will encourage high-quality development on the St. Bernard Avenue corridor and will apply to all non-residentially zoned properties on blocks with frontage on St. Bernard Avenue from North Claiborne Avenue to Broad Street.
The new district will permit height, parking and any other applicable bonus measures for high-quality affordable housing development within its parameters to encourage and promote affordable housing for elderly residents.
The Council’s decision to pass this motion is in line with the City’s Housing for a Resilient New Orleans Strategy. Housing for a Resilient New Orleans is a five-year strategy that harnesses the growing strength of the local economy and confronts the challenge of providing affordable housing choices for all New Orleanians through the following core principles: equity, collaboration and openness.
Council Approves the Creation of New Overlay District to Promote Affordable Housing for Seniors
Today, the Council voted to establish a new overlay district named the “SBA St. Bernard Avenue Overlay District” to promote affordable housing for senior citizens. It will encourage high-quality development on the St. Bernard Avenue corridor and will apply to all non-residentially zoned properties on blocks with frontage on St. Bernard Avenue from North Claiborne Avenue to Broad Street.
The new district will permit height, parking and any other applicable bonus measures for high-quality affordable housing development within its parameters to encourage and promote affordable housing for elderly residents.
The Council’s decision to pass this motion is in line with the City’s Housing for a Resilient New Orleans Strategy. Housing for a Resilient New Orleans is a five-year strategy that harnesses the growing strength of the local economy and confronts the challenge of providing affordable housing choices for all New Orleanians through the following core principles: equity, collaboration and openness.
Resolution Passed in Support of the Paris Climate Agreement
The Council passed a resolution reaffirming its commitment to mitigating the City's carbon emissions and the principles of the Paris Agreement. The resolution states that the pursuit and protection of sustainable development goals remains a top priority of the City Council.
Through promoting and adopting increased energy efficiency measures and the use of alternative energy sources, New Orleans will continue to work toward environmental sustainability in alignment with the Resilient New Orleans strategy.
Resolution No. R-17-303 was developed in light of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on June 1, 2017. The agreement was formed in an effort to bring countries together to strengthen the global response toward the threat of climate change.
"All of us together helped to create the crisis that we have and all of us together will have to work diligently to solve it," said District "E" Councilmember James Gray. "We cannot control what our national government decides to prioritize, but here in New Orleans, we will continue to move forward and support environmental programs and policies. This represents an important step in that process."
Resolution Passed in Support of the Paris Climate Agreement
The Council passed a resolution reaffirming its commitment to mitigating the City's carbon emissions and the principles of the Paris Agreement. The resolution states that the pursuit and protection of sustainable development goals remains a top priority of the City Council.
Through promoting and adopting increased energy efficiency measures and the use of alternative energy sources, New Orleans will continue to work toward environmental sustainability in alignment with the Resilient New Orleans strategy.
Resolution No. R-17-303 was developed in light of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on June 1, 2017. The agreement was formed in an effort to bring countries together to strengthen the global response toward the threat of climate change.
"All of us together helped to create the crisis that we have and all of us together will have to work diligently to solve it," said District "E" Councilmember James Gray. "We cannot control what our national government decides to prioritize, but here in New Orleans, we will continue to move forward and support environmental programs and policies. This represents an important step in that process."
Recipients of City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Approved
The Council adopted a resolution to approve City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Program recipients. The grants are issued subject to each organization's eligibility.
The Council receives an annual $225,000 in grant funds ($16,071 semiannually per Councilmember) from Harrah's to foster small organizations and projects that contribute to the economic, cultural, and civic fabric of the City.
The recipients of the funds approved by the Council have shown their commitment to improving the civic life of New Orleans through their activities and programs.
Click here to see a complete list of grant recipients by Council district.
Recipients of City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Approved
The Council adopted a resolution to approve City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Program recipients. The grants are issued subject to each organization's eligibility.
The Council receives an annual $225,000 in grant funds ($16,071 semiannually per Councilmember) from Harrah's to foster small organizations and projects that contribute to the economic, cultural, and civic fabric of the City.
The recipients of the funds approved by the Council have shown their commitment to improving the civic life of New Orleans through their activities and programs.
Click here to see a complete list of grant recipients by Council district.
Temporary "Clean Zone" Established for Upcoming Essence Festival
The Council voted to establish a temporary "Clean Zone" during the time period beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2017, through 6 p.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017, relative to the use of the area in conjunction with Essence Festival.
Since the early 1990's Essence Magazine, a distinguished lifestyle magazine for African American Women has picked New Orleans as the host of its annual three-day event. Each year, the festival brings in the best performers and entertainers from around the country, as well as a series of seminars created to empower African American men and women.
In addition to the live music, the weekend will include the 2017 Essence Empowerment Experience featuring world-renowned experts sharing their ideas and tips on pursuing personal success. Tourism leaders have said Essence Festival and the surrounding events will bring an economic impact of around $200 million to Orleans Parish.
Temporary "Clean Zone" Established for Upcoming Essence Festival
The Council voted to establish a temporary "Clean Zone" during the time period beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2017, through 6 p.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017, relative to the use of the area in conjunction with Essence Festival.
Since the early 1990's Essence Magazine, a distinguished lifestyle magazine for African American Women has picked New Orleans as the host of its annual three-day event. Each year, the festival brings in the best performers and entertainers from around the country, as well as a series of seminars created to empower African American men and women.
In addition to the live music, the weekend will include the 2017 Essence Empowerment Experience featuring world-renowned experts sharing their ideas and tips on pursuing personal success. Tourism leaders have said Essence Festival and the surrounding events will bring an economic impact of around $200 million to Orleans Parish.
Council Grants New Orleans Delta Foundation's Request for a Community Center
The Council unanimously approved the New Orleans Delta Foundation's proposal for a conditional use to permit a community center located on 1949 Duels St. and 2741 Saint Anthony St. in the Third Municipal District. The City Planning Commission staff recommended approval for the proposal at the meeting on May 9, 2017, subject to seven provisos.
The Foundation expressed its hopes to convert three buildings that suffered damage and were left vacant following Hurricane Katrina into a multipurpose community center. The center will include education and outreach centers as well as an administration building.
The New Orleans Delta Foundation was formed in 1988 to formulate, develop and sponsor projects and endeavors that focus on youth empowerment. The organization is comprised of over 500 members from the New Orleans metropolitan area.
The Council's decision to approve the community center, alongside its approval of the SBA St. Bernard Avenue Overlay District, will spur redevelopment and ensure the continued growth and success of the historic Seventh Ward.
Council Grants New Orleans Delta Foundation's Request for a Community Center
The Council unanimously approved the New Orleans Delta Foundation's proposal for a conditional use to permit a community center located on 1949 Duels St. and 2741 Saint Anthony St. in the Third Municipal District. The City Planning Commission staff recommended approval for the proposal at the meeting on May 9, 2017, subject to seven provisos.
The Foundation expressed its hopes to convert three buildings that suffered damage and were left vacant following Hurricane Katrina into a multipurpose community center. The center will include education and outreach centers as well as an administration building.
The New Orleans Delta Foundation was formed in 1988 to formulate, develop and sponsor projects and endeavors that focus on youth empowerment. The organization is comprised of over 500 members from the New Orleans metropolitan area.
The Council's decision to approve the community center, alongside its approval of the SBA St. Bernard Avenue Overlay District, will spur redevelopment and ensure the continued growth and success of the historic Seventh Ward.