[StBernard] reply to Howard

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Wed Dec 26 21:19:39 EST 2007


In reply to Howard's question last weekabout the parish Planning Commission,
see below. Deborah Keller




PURPOSE
The St. Bernard Parish Planning Commission is a Parish Council appointed
advisory board created by the Parish Charter in accordance with LA Revised
Statutes 33:101-119 to review all land use issues that affect the present
and future use of land in St. Bernard Parish.

This includes land designation (zoning), land division/consolidation
(subdivision) and regulations (codes) with the intent of establishing the
most desirable, safe and compatible physical model possible that is in the
best interest of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the
community.

The primary function is to provide a forum for public input on the above
mentioned matters as follows:


FUNCTION
Zoning, subdivision and land use regulations are presented at a public
Commission meeting in accordance with applicable laws relative to due
process notification, including advertising the public hearing and placing
signs on the property itself, and for some cases mailing certified letters
to adjacent property owners.

The Commission hears a presentation, technical analysis and a RECOMMENDATION
from the Planning Department staff of the Office of Community Development of
the Parish on each case.

The Commission then hears from all interested parties (opponents/proponents)
at this public hearing.

Thereafter, the Commission formulates its own recommendation (approval or
denial) or sometimes makes s a NO RECOMMENDATION, which is sent to the
Parish Council and Parish President. Minutes are taken of the public hearing
for documentation purposes.

The Parish Council, at a public meeting, is presented all information on the
case along with results of the recommendation or no recommendation of the
Commission, and the Council can vote or not vote for approval or denial. A
vote by the Council is the final decision, whether it concurs with the
Commission or is different from the Commission or if the Commission made no
recommendation at all. Failure to approve prohibits the same application
from being re-applied for a period of two years.

BOARD MEMBERS
The Planning Commission is composed of seven members. Each represents a
council district or East St. Bernard Parish or West St. Bernard Parish,
called At-Large commissioners. Commissioners take a sworn oath of office and
are to abide by State Ethics laws. They serve with no compensation for five
year terms, after which they may re-apply. Vacancies are advertised in the
St. Bernard Voice, applicants submit for the vacancy to the parish human
resources dept, qualified applicants are reviewed by the Parish Appointments
Review Committee, and up to three recommended names are sent to the Parish
President, which must choose from one of the recommended names and send to
the Parish Council which then approves or denies the appointment.
Commissioners annually elected their officers. Currrent officers are Earl
Dauterive, Chair and Deborah Keller, Vice-Chair. Act 859 of the Louisiana
Legislative Session of 2004 requires a minimum of four hours training for
newly appointed planning commissioners to acquire at least four hours of
training relative to the discharge of their duties.

Commissioners that currently represent the following areas of the parish
are:

Deborah Ducote Keller, At Large - East
Joseph A. Oster, Jr. At Large - West
Louis Schneider, II District A
Earl Dauterive, Jr. B
Gary J. Gadwaw C
Donny Bourgeois D
Norman "Jim" Hasik E

MEETINGS
All General Meetings for public meetings are held at the parish government
complex at 4:00 pm. Public hearings are held the fourth Tuesday of each
month, unless advance notice is published of a changed date or time. When
necessary, the Commission can call for special public meetings provided
public notice is given.

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