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Resident urges stricter enforcement at Bayou Jack Marina over trailers, sewage and debris
Summary
A long-time resident told the council that rezoned retirement areas at Bayou Jack Marina are being overrun by camper trailers, exposed sewage lines and large debris piles, and urged consistent enforcement; the parish president and officials said interagency steps are underway.
Margaret Gosselin, a resident of the Bayou Jack Marina area, addressed the Iberia Parish Council during the public-comment period to report persistent nuisance and zoning problems following a rezoning several years earlier.
Gosselin said campers, trailers and makeshift connections to sewage systems have become widespread on streets that were rezoned for residential (R1) use. "We're having problems with camper trailers... they're putting sewage lines on top of the ground to the homes next door," she said, describing trash piles and construction debris at the end of Anchor Drive and a cul-de-sac that she said make the area unsafe and unsightly.
Parish President Larry Richard and council members responded that the parish is coordinating enforcement. Richard said he held a meeting with judges, the district attorney, the sheriff and permit/planning staff to address nuisance enforcement and that the sheriff’s legal team and parish legal staff will coordinate next steps. Several council members said crews had already cleared trash in recent weeks but acknowledged continued work was needed to enforce ordinances consistently.
Why it matters: The complaint raises zoning and code-enforcement concerns in a residential neighborhood and illustrates coordination challenges across planning, the sheriff’s office and parish legal staff.
What's next: Officials said they will pursue enforcement actions and may need to seek reimbursement when the parish removes structures or debris; Gosselin said she will return if the problem persists.
Ending: The council took the complaint under advisement and said interagency enforcement steps are underway; no formal enforcement action was recorded at the meeting.
