Council introduces ordinance to swap city lot for hospital land to open new subdivision access

The New Iberia City Council introduced Ordinance 202501 to authorize a cooperative endeavor agreement with Hospital Service District No. 1 that would exchange a city-owned lot in Spanish Town Center for a parcel owned by the hospital to create a second access point for a planned subdivision.

Mayor and council members described the transaction as the result of extended negotiations between the city and the hospital. According to the presentation, the hospital would provide a parcel approximately 50 feet by 475 feet (described in the meeting as having a value of $71,000) along Lewis Street; in exchange the city would transfer Lot 16 in the Spanish Town Center subdivision (described in the meeting as valued at $93,000). The council presented the swap as roughly comparable in value and necessary to provide access that will allow the developer to proceed.

Council members and staff said the subdivision would include about 200 houses on roughly 81 lots and that about 80 lots were presold, remarks that council members used to emphasize the expected economic effect. One presenter stated the development could generate "$200,000 worth of taxes a year," and council members discussed potential retail and employment benefits tied to a planned frontage road that would enable larger commercial lots (lots 7'10 and 11'15 were discussed as potential big-box sites in future planning remarks).

The ordinance sets a public hearing on Jan. 21, 2025, as the next step in the process. Council members also said the city acquired the lot being transferred in 2011 and had not used it; swapping that lot would not, according to presenters, alter larger redevelopment plans because the frontage road and remaining lots provide capacity for future commercial development.

Council members asked for and received appraisal values and said attorneys for both parties had worked on an intergovernmental agreement. The motion to introduce the ordinance was made and seconded; the meeting set the public hearing date and moved the item forward.

Council discussion emphasized the transaction's role in unlocking housing development and the long-term economic benefits that officials said would follow if the subdivision and associated frontage road are built. The council asked for maps and additional materials during subsequent review before the Jan. 21 public hearing.