[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish gets OK for special election on apartment ban, fire and garbage fee

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish gets OK for special election on apartment ban, fire and
garbage fee
By Chris Kirkham 
September 30, 2009, 10:51AM
St. Bernard Parish will go forward with a Nov. 14 special election that
includes an option for voters to permanently ban large apartment complexes
and also asks whether voters if they are willing to pay a $20-per-month fee
for garbage and fire protection.


Parish officials met a deadline this week with the Louisiana Secretary of
State's office to set the November special election. 

The referendum that could amend the parish's zoning ordinance to ban
apartment complexes of more than six units has already come under fire from
a fair housing group. The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center is
still in the midst of a federal lawsuit involving the parish's previous
policies toward rental units.

The November referendum would not apply to the four 72-unit complexes at the
center of the most recent court dispute with the fair housing center.

The $20-per-month fee, meanwhile, is aimed at staving off major deficits
projected in the parish's budget next year. Since Hurricane Katrina, the
parish has balanced its budget through a series of federal community
disaster loans. This year, 2009, marks the end of the loans.

Another item on the ballot would amend the parish's home rule charter to
prohibit council members from receiving compensation from any committees or
boards on which they serve, including committees of the state. The current
charter only notes parish boards and committees, which would not apply to
the hospital service district or the housing, redevelopment and quality of
life commission, which are both state committees.

Parish councilmen serve on both of those boards.