Council questions code revision process
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
ZacharyCity Council members aren’thappy about how long it’staking an outside firm to revisekey sectionsofthe city’s development code —adelay they believe is impeding enforcement of existing rules and causing the appearance of the community to suffer.
The council members also discussed their role in enforcing rules regarding junk vehicles. Theissues came up at thepanel’s Oct. 8meeting. The city —with help from alongtimecontractor,the Villavaso and Associates planning firm —began working to update its unifieddevelopmentcode about ayear ago. Afocus of the effort has been enforcement procedures, as the council wanted to shiftaway from criminal penalties for code violations and instead issue fines.
But the updates aren’t done yet, creating confusionabout what rules should be enforced and how —inthe meantime.
“I don’tthinkany of us ever envisioned it would take ayear to receive what the council is requesting,” council memberAmbre DeVirgilio said.
“Just becausewe saywe’re going to changesome things, whendowe stop enforcing the laws that are on the books?”
JAMES GRAVES ZacharyCityCouncil member
CityAttorney John HopewellsaidVillavaso and Associates is still working on the code rewrite. But it has proven to be acomplicated endeavor Some sections of the current code call for criminal punishment while others don’t. Ensuring there are consistent, civil enforcement protocols for all aspects of the code— the council’sdesire—has been timeconsuming.
Councilmember James Graves questioned why enforcement of the existing code appears to have fallen by the wayside. He compared the situation witha hypothetical discussionofincreasing a speed limit from 35 to 45 mph. Until the speed limit is actually changed, he said, policeofficers would still ticket drivers exceeding 35 mph.
“Just because we saywe’re going to change somethings, when do we stop enforcing the laws that are on the books?” Graves asked.
He said Zachary was making progress on getting business owners to take down feather flags —tall, vertical outdoor banners that the code prohibits. But that has changed in recent months.
“Now we have feather flags everywhere,” he said.
Mayor David McDavid acknowledged that certain parts of the code are no longer being strictly enforced amid the rewrite effort.
“Wehavebeen enforcing the condemnations. We hadthe ordinance on junk vehicles —that’s ongoing. Grass cutting is ongoing with enforcement,” McDavid said. “Asfar as the flags, we stopped because what we thought waswedidn’t want to go criminal. Now,I can gear it back up, and we can go after them. It’s up to y’all.”
DeVirgilio suggested at least sending letters to people who are displaying the banned feather flags.
“I know that if Ireceived aletter,that would be enough formetobelike,‘Oh my goodness. Let me go remove my featherflag,’”she said.“Irealizethatwon’t happenfor everyone,but Ithink mostly,it’sadeterrent, just the letter.”
“OK,” McDavidsaid. “I’ll make that happen
ä See COUNCIL, page 3G
Graduates
the Leadership North program have worked to raise awareness of breast cancer.Theywere on hand at the ZacharyCity Council meetingOct. 8asthe council recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month.From left are Monica Jackson, Ruth Kuhns, April
PROVIDED PHOTOSBYSHARON PHILLIPS
PROVIDED PHOTO
On Oct. 10, from left, DanteBidwell, CityofBatonRougeCAO,Sa’Lynn Woodside, and Metro Councilman Mayor-Pro Temp Brandon Noel share a proclamation for White Cane Awareness Day.
ZacharyChamber of Commerce holdsribbon-cuttings with twobusiness
On Oct. 15, the Zachary Chamber of Commerce was part of two ribbon-cuttings intown.
At 10 a.m., owners Max and Stephanie Toler held an event for Advanced Mini Storage, located on La. 19.
At noon, Lane Regional Medical unveiled itsnew facility,Lane Allergy,Asthma, and Immunology
Owners Max and Stephanie Toler mark the opening of Advanced Mini StorageonLa.
19. Members of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce were on hand.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Austin Rinehardt, ZacharyFood Pantry,RotarianMark Blair with Blair Babin, and Tamara Dayton, Rotarian, attend the Oct.10Rotarymeeting, where attendees heard about the Zacharyfood bank.
Rotary hearsfrom ZacharyFood Pantry
Community news report
At its Oct. 10 meeting,the Zachary Rotary heard from Austin Rinehardt, who gave an update about the Zachary Food Pantry He said the pantry is committed to fighting hunger and supporting familiesin need the community.Every week, it provides essential food items and groceries to helpensurethatno one in Zachary goes without. The organization works to distributenutritious food to individuals and families; offer asafe, welcomingspace forthosefacingtoughtimes; and partner with local organizations and donors to maximize its impact, anews release said
Thefood pantry is open from 9a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays.Familiescan receive assistanceonceamonth and must be aresident of East Baton Rouge Parish. The food pantry services an average of 2,737 clients every month. Forinformation, contact info@zacharyfoodpantry org.
PROVIDED PHOTO ZacharyRotaryPresident Elect Tamara Dayton presents the RotaryCitizen of the Year award to Cindy Shotwell.
Must Luv Dogs Rescue founder named Zachary Citizen of the Year
Community news report
Lane Regional Medical’s newfacility
Lane Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology celebrates Oct. 15 with the Zachary Chamber of Commerce.
Cindy Shotwell was named Zachary Rotary Club’sCitizen of the Year Shotwell hasdedicated countless hours to serving the community through her nonprofit Must Luv Dogs Rescue. Sheispassionate about rescuingand rehoming dogs in need, working to place them in loving forever homes, anews release said. Shotwell based the mission statement forher organization on Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
WoodmenLifedonates twotrees to newZachary police station
Community news report
On Oct. 11, atree-planting ceremony tookplace at the new Zachary policestation, which is scheduled to open later this year
Two12-foot Eagleton hollytrees were donated as part of WoodmenLife’s Giving Together Program. Chief Darryl Lawrence and Mayor David McDavid participated. The Giving Together program, launchedbyWoodmenLife in 2019, encourages sales representatives to lead community service initiatives. WoodmenLife Insurance representative Rebecca Corkern joined Lawrence, McDavid,and several officers at the ceremony Following the event, WoodmenLife provided lunch for the landscaping crew,mayor and police officers
COUNCIL
Continued from page1G
inthe morning, and we’ll startaddressing that, sending them lettersand we’llgofrom there.” He also offered to askVillavasoand Associates for an update on the work and to invite representatives to appearbefore the council to answer questions.
Update on junk carlaw
Another topic that arose during thediscussion was how to approachenforcement of the city’sjunk vehicle ordinance, which was recently updated to reflectthe council’s preference for fines over criminalpenalties.Many similar matters aregoverned by thedevelopmentcode, butthere is aseparate ordinance pertainingtojunk vehicles
The council and city leaders have previously talked about settingupanadministrative law judge, similar to the city-parish’s blight court, to handle junk vehicles.The goal was to remove the council —which in the past had brought subpoenaedviolators to meetings to explain their actions, somethingcouncil membersweren’t always
comfortable with —from theprocess.
The new court hasn’tbeen created yet, though.Part of thedelay hasbeen getting information from Baton Rouge on how its blight court operates.
If anyone accused of having ajunk vehicle on their propertydoesn’tbelieve they should have to pay thefine and wants to appeal the matter,they’llstill have to come to the council in themeantime, said Ty Stephens, codeenforcement officer
“You guysare the only court that they can appear at,” Stephens said.
“Butwe’re not acourt,” DeVirgilio said.
“I get it,” Stephens said. “But that’sthe only mechanism we have in place —unless we go back to criminal.“
Stephenssaid he has been serving letters informingresidents with junk vehicles on their property that they’re disobeying city rules. Thecouncil has not heard any appeals yet.
Hopewell clarified that if someonedoes make an appeal, thecouncil has theauthority to impose afine.
“And we wanttochangethis,” he said.
“Ify’all remember the discussions, taking you as the council out of it was one of our goals. We don’thave thatmechanism in place yet.”
AWARENESS
Continued from page1G
This year,Zachary Mayor David McDavid and East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Broome both declared Oct. 15 as White Cane Day On Oct.8,Woodside attended the Zachary Council meeting where the proclamation was signed by McDavid. She was also invited to attend the Oct. 10 Metro Council meeting, where Broome signed a proclamation. White Cane Day reminds residents to be cognizant of the visually impaired when going through their day.Motorists and cyclists, employers, schools, universities, businesses, etc. should all be aware of those carrying white canes and acknowledge their abilities, contributions and potential.
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PROVIDED PHOTO
ZacharyMayor David McDavid, Police Chief DarrylLawrence and others participate in atree-planting ceremony Oct.11at thenew police station,which is scheduled to open later this year.Two 12-foot Eagleton holly trees were donated as part of WoodmenLife’sGiving Together Program.
9a.m. to 3p.m., Nov.1 at theparishactivity center at the corner of Lee Streetand McHugh Drive. All proceeds go to parish maintenance Unsold items will be given to St.Vincent de Paul Society
Learnabout breastfeeding
The ABCs of Breastfeeding will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Nov.2at Lane Regional MedicalCenter Board Conference Room, 6300 Main St., Zachary.Email or call Jamie Schmolke to reservea spot: jschmolke@lanermc.org or (225) 6586612
Libraryeventsannounced
n LSU School of Theatre, in partnership with the East Baton Rouge Parish Library,presents“Rosita yConchita,” achildren’splay directedbyMarina DeYoe-Pedraza. Based on theaward-winning children’sbook by Erich Haeger and EricGonzález,“Rosita yConchita” tells the story of two sisters trying toreunite onDía de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This production uses rhyming bilingual dialogue, music and life-size puppets.It will be performed at 10 a.m. Nov.2 at the Zachary Branch and at 10 a.m. Nov.9at the Baker Branch. Check thelibrary website for other performances.
n “Cherokee Tales,” developed inpartnership with the Cherokee Historical Association, introduces youngaudiences to the Cherokeepeople througha series ofstories.Recommended for children, grades K-6. It will be performed at 2:30 p.m. Nov.23atthe Zachary Branch and 3p.m. Nov.24atthe Baker Branch. Check the library websitefor otherperformances.
n The Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library,13600 Pride-PortHudsonRoad, has a couple of events.The LagniappeHistoric Dance &Pastime Society will teach 18th- and 19th-century dances on Thursday evenings in November (excluding Thanksgiving),from6p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Wear comfortable shoes. 20-somethings areinvited at 4p.m. Nov.15to makebook bricks andgarden stones. Call (225)6581540for information.
Pink OutZachary
Mayor David McDavid has designated Thursday,Oct. 24, for Zachary to dress and decorate in support of breast cancer awareness.
Prayer luncheonset
McDavid invites all communitymem-
bers to join theMayor’s Community Prayer Luncheon on Friday,Oct. 25 at the Family Life Center of First BaptistChurch Zachary,4200 Main St.
Acomplimentary fried fish lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m. The luncheon will feature guestspeakerCol. PaulPride, aretired superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The theme for the luncheon is “Faith andService.”
Trunk-or-Treat
Local businesses and organizations will participate in thefourth annual Trunkor-Treat from 3p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct.27 on Lee Street. Setup starts at 1p.m. and mustbefinished by 2:40 p.m.Agiant inflatable maze, carnival games, 360 photo booth, foodtrucks and cotton candy will be available.Children withspecial needs have earlyentry at 2:45 p.m
Novemberfest set
St.Patrick’sEpiscopal Church’sNovemberfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.Nov.2,and will feature games, inflatables, crafts, jambalaya and other food.Proceeds are used to fund outreach ministries of thechurch. The church is at 1322 Church St., Zachary.
Save thedate
Oct. 26: Market Harvest from 9a.m. to 1p.m.at the FarmersMarket Aphoto backdropwill be available. Halloween Duck Hunt is the theme.
Oct. 31: 6p.m. to 8p.m., Trick-or-Treat in Zachary
Nov.11: 9a.m., SalutetoVeterans Parade
Nov.16: MemoryLane at the Market from 9a.m.to1p.m. Area residents are asked to share special memories/items with everyone. Not items to sell.
Nov.23: 9a.m. to 1p.m., ZacharyFarmersMarket Holiday Kickoff. The day will includedrawings for Market Money and will celebrate Thanksgiving, football gamesand Christmas shopping.
Dec. 13: 6p.m. to 9p.m., Christmas in the Village and Mistletoe Holiday Shopping Market
Dec. 14: 8:30 a.m., Chasing Santa 5k and FunRun
Dec. 14: 10 a.m., Zachary Christmas Parade. Theme is Luau Under the Mistletoe.
Dec. 14: 9a.m. to noon, FarmersMarket Mistletoe Holiday Shopping Market
Dec. 21: 9a.m. to 1p.m., Stocking Stuffer Saturdayatthe FarmersMarket
Send news and eventsfor the Zachary area to zachary@theadvocate.com by noon Fridayorcall (225) 388-0731.
EMAIL:
EDITOR
DarleneT.Denstorff zachary@theadvocate.com (225)388-0215
DEATH NOTICES CALL: (225)388-0289
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