Regular Meeting
February 08, 2018 10:00 AM
3520 General DeGaulle Dr.
Scheduled, 10 a.m., 3520 General DeGaulle Dr.
The City Council will convene its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Orleans Parish School Board Main Offices located at 3520 General DeGaulle Dr.
City Council Meeting News Summary February 8, 2018
At the Feb. 8 regular City Council meeting, the Council heard a presentation from the Advocacy Center of Louisiana in celebration of its 41st anniversary, approved a zoning change to increase the maximum building height designation for 121 Royal Street, passed a measure to streamline the installation of transit wait stations, and introduced an ordinance to facilitate increased recycling and composting in New Orleans. Additionally, the Council deferred action on the Master Plan amendment package to the next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Advocacy Center of Louisiana Celebrates 41st Anniversary
As the first special order of business, the Council welcomed representatives of the Advocacy Center of Louisiana in celebration of its 41st anniversary. Litigation Director and Acting Executive Director Ron Lospennato and Legal Director Sarah Voigt presented to the Council on their work and many accomplishments since the organization was founded in 1977.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Advocacy Center is committed to its mission to protect, empower and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and senior citizens in Louisiana. With an initial staff of only four and one office in New Orleans, the Advocacy Center has grown substantially to include a staff of fifty who work out of offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.
Following the presentation, the Council presented a special proclamation to the Advocacy Center for the critical service they provide the people in New Orleans and throughout the entire state of Louisiana.
Council Approves Maximum Height Increase for Royal Street Property
The Council approved a text amendment to the City's CZO to change the maximum building height designation for the property at 121 Royal Street from 70 ft. to 120 ft. Part of efforts dating back to 2005 to invest in the blighted block of Royal Street, the property owner may now move forward with plans to restore the former Cosmopolitan Hotel with a new 120-foot tall tower.
In the report of the City Planning Commission, Commissioners in favor of the motion noted that the extra development rights afforded the property through the text amendment would incentivize the restoration of the historic structure on the property.
"The decision to leave this area in its current condition should not be an option for this Council," said Councilmember-At-Large Jason Williams. "Mr. Jaeger has consistently shown his commitment to the historical preservation of our city and its architectural integrity, and I'm confident that he will maintain a clean and responsible construction site. I am in full support of this measure."
Zoning Change to Streamline Installation of Transit Wait Stations
The Council approved another amendment to the City's CZO to remove 'Public Transit Wait Station' as a defined use under citywide regulation. Per Zoning Docket No. 1/18, transit wait stations within the public right-of-way will now be treated no differently than other items of street furniture.
This change will simplify and streamline the approval process for the installation of transit wait stations, improving the overall efficiency of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority to better serve the people of New Orleans.
Council Passes Juvenile Warnings and Summonses Ordinance
The Council approved an ordinance to amend the City Code relative to the issuing of juvenile warnings and summonses. Ordinance No. 32,148 offers additional clarity on the matter by providing the following definition: Juvenile Warning Notice means a verbal notice issued to a juvenile, following an officer's finding of probable cause, in lieu of taking the juvenile into custody and referring the juvenile for prosecution.
Authored by District "A" Councilmember Susan Guidry, this ordinance represents ongoing efforts by the Council to reduce the number of children unnecessarily placed into the criminal justice system.