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Council gives owner two weeks for estimate and sets March progress check on 626 E. Saint Peter
Summary
Council members agreed to give the property owner of 626 E. Saint Peter an opportunity to submit repair estimates by Feb. 18 and to show progress by March 18, or the council will resume the demolition process.
The New Iberia City Council on Monday agreed to a timeline for 626 East Saint Peter Street, a blighted property that the council previously voted to move toward demolition.
City staff presented the property’s history and said the property owner had filed an appeal of an earlier demolition decision; litigation is pending. Staff said an alternative negotiated path — where the owner performs repairs under a city-approved plan — could resolve the litigation and avoid demolition, if the owner meets the council’s standards.
The property owner, identified in the meeting as Miss Asma, told the council she does not want to litigate and said she wants to repair the house for rental income. “I just want to fix that house. I really do,” she said, and said family members will help with the work.
Council members said they are willing to allow time for repairs but stressed the need for objective milestones. Councilman Ron Davis asked for an estimate and schedule so the city can monitor progress; the attorney and staff said that if the cost to repair exceeds half the property’s value the work will require licensed contractors and the repairs must bring the structure up to current code.
The council amended the pending motion to require that the owner provide repair estimates by the Feb. 18 council meeting and return with a status report showing progress by March 18. The mayor and council members said they would consider issuing permits only after the owner submits evidence that the work and schedule meet inspection standards; they discussed — but did not require at the meeting — performance bonds, noting a bond could be difficult for an individual owner to obtain.
The amended motion passed. City staff said they will work with the owner to obtain licensed-contractor estimates and to document required repairs so the council can evaluate whether the repairs are feasible.
Council members asked for photos and regular updates; if milestones are not met the council said it will resume the previously authorized demolition process.
