Tangipahoa Parish Council approves demolitions, permits and contracts; 30-day compliance ordered for two Hammond properties

The Tangipahoa Parish Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to order demolition or remediation and give owners 30 days to comply for two blighted properties in Hammond, approved two auto-body ‘‘dismantle-only’’ permits after a public hearing, and approved several contracts and change orders related to the parish jail and road maintenance.

The most immediate actions were the condemnations of 11540 Wendell Lane (assessment number 4203100) and 43158 Tillman Drive (assessment number 1967207), both in District 6. Parish staff reported that certified notices and a title search had been completed and that the building official had reviewed both structures. "It is a structure that is a danger to the community in its current condition," a parish staff member (identified in the record as Jeffrey) said of the Wendell Lane property. Councilman Mayhew moved to give the owners 30 days to comply; the motion passed 10–0.

The council also completed a public hearing and passed two resolutions to allow permitting for auto-body dismantle-only licenses. Resolution R25-07 authorized Cooper Salvage Yard at 24333 Highway 22 in Ponchatoula (District 9) to proceed with permitting for an auto-body dismantle-only license. A second resolution authorized permitting for S & J Auto Body and Mechanics at 18226 Woodscale Road in Hammond (District 8). Council members and staff explained that a "dismantle-only" license permits removal of vehicle body parts only and prohibits dismantling engine components or other parts involving fluids, oils or gas. Danny…