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Residents press council on condemned properties; city attorney outlines recordation, demolition steps
Summary
Residents and Aldermen pressed the council about long-standing condemned properties and demolitions. City officials said administrative court hearings have started, property owners must be re-notified, three contractor quotes are required and liens may be placed after demolition.
Residents and at least one alderman pressed the Crowley City Council on Feb. 18 over the pace of demolitions for long-condemned houses, and city officials outlined the procedural and legal steps the city must follow before a demolition can proceed.
Alderman Vernon Martin pressed the question of why properties condemned in prior administrations remain standing and asked how many homes were being processed. The mayor and city staff described a multi-step process that includes verifying current ownership, providing notice, conducting administrative court proceedings and obtaining contractor bids.
City attorney Mr. Landry said the city must ensure prior orders of condemnation were properly recorded in the conveyance and mortgage records at the Acadia Parish courthouse. "If the order of condemnation is not filed in the conveyance and mortgage records ... anyone that purchase property after that condemnation does not buy it subject to the condemnation because they were not put on notice by recordation," he explained. If an order is recorded and owners fail to comply within the time set by the court, the city will notify owners that demolition will proceed on a stated date; if owners do not act, the city may demolish the structure, then assess the cost to the property and place a lien for the demolition cost.
City staff reported the administrative court heard five properties last month and is scheduled to hear five more this month. Officials said once a demolition is authorized they must obtain three contractor quotes per property, then schedule demolition work. The mayor said the court process was paused earlier in his term so the council and administration could try other remedies; it has resumed.
Council members and speakers also discussed prior attempts to use a large grant to address multiple demolitions; officials said Crowley was not eligible for a particular competitive grant when it closed and that local efforts continue.
The discussion produced no formal motion but included detailed procedural clarifications from city staff and the city attorney about notification, recordation and lien procedures that govern how condemned properties are moved through to demolition.
