[StBernard] St. Bernard President Craig Taffaro notified Provident Realty that its building permits for the four apartment complexes are invalid due to state court order issued today

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard President Craig Taffaro notified Provident Realty that its
building permits for the four apartment complexes are invalid due to state
court order issued today




Pursuant to a ruling issued in court Thursday by 34th State Judicial
District Judge Robert Buckley, St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro
notified Provident Realty that they do not have valid building permits for
the construction of the four 72-unit multi-family developments in Chalmette.



The Cease and Desist Order that was issued to Provident and subsequently
overturned by federal Judge Ginger Berrigan is being reviewed. In the
interim, Taffaro consulted with parish council members and the parish legal
team representatives to formulate a plan of action. Parish government will
seek a rescission of the federal Temporary Restraining Order that prohibits
parish government from stopping any construction work. 

 

The Chateau Lafitte Homeowners Association and several residents sought
judicial intervention in state court, asking a state judge to nullify any
permits extended to Provident Realty. Despite a Cease and Desist Order by
Taffaro, Provident has continued construction of the apartment complexes
under the protection of the federal district court.


After a hearing in state court Thursday, Buckley issued a ruling that
ordered St. Bernard Government to set aside and invalidate the building
permits to construct a 72 unit multi-family residential unit at each
property location.

 

Commenting on the ruling, Taffaro said he was not surprised by Buckley's
ruling and he believed it to be an appropriate decision.

 

In response to that ruling, President Taffaro, through his Office of
Community Development, issued the following notice to Provident: "You are
hereby notified that pursuant to the attached ruling from the Honorable
Judge Robert A. Buckley of the 34th Judicial District in St. Bernard,
Louisiana that Provident Realty does not possess a valid St. Bernard Parish
Building Permit for the four construction sites referenced on the attached
permits. Based on applicable local and state statutes, construction projects
require appropriate permitting, including building permits from St. Bernard
Parish Government.  Building permit applications in St. Bernard Parish are
handled in the Office of Community Development. Construction projects not
permitted are subject to all applicable enforcement activities."

 

The parish was forced to issue the permits to Provident initially issued
after a court battle, which permits expired due to a lack of construction
for more than a year. Rather than have Provident reapply for the permits as
local ordinances dictate, HUD told parish officials that not releasing the
permit would result in funding for local recovery projects being stopped.  

 

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