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Parish council grants variances, Board of Adjustment exceptions and authorizes condemnation order
Summary
The council granted a variance for a 1,600 sq. ft. accessory structure to permit wet flood proofing, approved multiple Board of Adjustment exceptions allowing mobile homes and a dwelling in I-1 zones, deferred a zoning petition, and authorized an order of condemnation and abatement for a nuisance property.
The St. Martin Parish Council on June 2 approved multiple land-use decisions affecting residential placement and floodplain rules.
The council granted a variance to property owner Shawn Albert to allow a proposed 1,600-square-foot accessory building at 1193 Nursery Highway to be wet flood proofed rather than elevated one foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Claire Richard, an ASFPM-certified floodplain manager with Building Code Inspection Services, LLC, explained that Section 14-67(4)(b) limits accessory structures to 1,500 square feet and requires any larger structure to meet standard flood-protection elevation requirements; the council voted to allow the variance to accommodate wet flood proofing.
Separately, acting as the Board of Adjustment, the council granted exceptions requested by Belaire Design / Belaire Family Investments to move single-family mobile homes and to construct a single-family dwelling on parcels zoned I-1 (Light Industrial) on Grand Point Highway in Breaux Bridge. Council members noted that Board of Adjustment approval is required before permitting and construction and each motion passed unanimously.
The council also voted to defer indefinitely a zoning-change petition for Low Ridge Holdings at 5958 Main Highway in St. Martinville, citing ACT No. 219 (Senate Bill No. 502, 2026 Louisiana legislative session) as the reason for the deferral.
On code enforcement, property owner Gill P. Louviere requested 90 days to remove a mobile home from 3830 Catahoula Highway. Planning & Zoning Director Morgan Allemond and Compliance Officer Ronald Solarie presented photographs and staff findings. The council found the rear portion of the property constituted a nuisance under Section 24-105 of the parish code and authorized Parish President Pete Delcambre to proceed with an Order of Condemnation and Abatement; the motion passed unanimously.
What changed: The variance and Board of Adjustment approvals make several nonconforming residential uses allowable on specified parcels, subject to permitting. The condemnation authorization starts a formal abatement process on the Catahoula Highway property; the owner was given a 90-day period to remove the mobile home.
Next steps: Applicants must complete permitting consistent with the permissions granted; parish staff will proceed with condemnation and abatement steps if compliance deadlines are not met.
