Council adopts ordinance creating Board of Building Code Appeals, approves related amendments

The St. James Parish Council voted to adopt Ordinance 26-01 at its Feb. 4 regular meeting, establishing a Board of Building Code Appeals and defining its powers and duties consistent with the International Building Code.

Special Counsel Vic Franckiewicz recommended two amendments during consideration: 1) add references to Chapter 18 (Building and Building Regulations), Chapter 54 (Health and Sanitation), and Chapter 70 (Manufactured Homes and Trailers); and 2) amend Section 54-28 concerning an owner's right to appeal. Councilman Donald Nash moved to accept the recommended amendments; Councilman Todd Poche seconded the motion. A subsequent motion by Councilman Ryan Louque to add an amendment permitting the council to remove board members was also adopted. Roll call votes showed six council members voting in favor and Councilman Anthony Jasmin absent.

Following the amendments, Councilman Louque moved to adopt Ordinance 26-01; Councilman Nash seconded. The ordinance was adopted on the roll call vote (6–0; Jasmin absent). The ordinance establishes the appeals board, incorporates the cited local code references, and adjusts the appeals process as amended. The transcript does not include the ordinance text beyond its title nor specific language of the final code changes approved; the meeting record reflects only the adoption and vote tally.

The council did not take public comment during the vote, and no implementation timeline or appointment schedule for the new board was presented at the meeting.