Scott council denies variance, orders licensed smoke test for Des Jacque Road trailer park

The Scott Mayor and City Council on July 11, 2024 declined a request from a trailer-park owner to waive a required sewer smoke test and instead directed that a licensed plumber conduct the test and that any remaining punch-list items be finished by Aug. 1, 2024.

Mayor Jan Richard led the discussion about the sewer connection and the smoke test requirement for the trailer park at 120 Des Jacque Road. Trailer-park owner Shawn Tompson opposed the smoke test and told the council he preferred an alternative he described as used in the oil and gas industry: "a barrel in; a barrel out." The council did not grant a variance.

Councilman Boudreaux moved that "the required smoke test be done by a licensed plumber and any remaining items on the punch list be completed by Aug. 1, 2024." Councilman Moreau seconded the motion, which the council carried unanimously. The motion places responsibility for arranging the licensed smoke test on the property owner and sets the Aug. 1 deadline for completion of outstanding repairs or corrections on the punch list.

The council’s action preserves the municipality’s inspection requirement for sewer connections and rejects the nonstandard testing procedure proposed by the owner. No appeals or follow-up steps were recorded in the minutes; the council’s direction is the most recent procedural development on the matter.