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Opelousas council gives property owner 45 days to repair or city will demolish abandoned mobile homes on Sapphire Street
Summary
After a public hearing, the council granted authority to condemn and demolish three abandoned mobile homes at 604 Sapphire Street unless significant repairs make them habitable within 45 days; the owner, who says he donated materials to fix units, requested time to rehabilitate them.
At a Jan. 14 public hearing the Opelousas City Council voted to grant authority to condemn and demolish three abandoned mobile homes at 604 Sapphire Street, Lots 12 and 4, unless “significant improvement” is made within 45 days and the units pass inspection.
Lance Smith, the city’s board enforcement director, presented the enforcement case. Owner James Bellard, who said he represents Helping Hands Rental and had acquired building materials and a mobile home to assist people in need, told the council he was trying to repair the units and asked for time. “I'm asking that you all would give us some time,” Bellard said.
Resident Etha Simeon Amlin said the units are derelict, have broken windows and doors, and have attracted wildlife and trespassers. “We came to barbecue. There are snakes swimming under the mobile homes,” Amlin said, adding the conditions pose a fire risk.
The motion read into the record by the clerk authorized the city to prosecute condemnation and demolition of the property located at 604 Sapphire Street, Lots 12 and 4 — described as abandoned mobile homes — unless significant improvement is made within 45 days, pending inspection. Alderman John Gilbo moved the motion; it was seconded by Alderman Delita Broussard and Alderman Marvin Richard. The council voted 6-0 to approve the action.
Council members clarified that the phrase “significant improvement” requires repairs sufficient to render a unit habitable and that any rehabilitation must pass a formal inspection. Code enforcement will return to the council if the owner fails to make improvements within the specified period.
The council’s action formally places the structures on the city’s condemnation path while giving the owner a limited window to repair and return the properties to service.
