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RAYNE - A marathon meeting of the Rayne City Council was held Monday, April 9, in the city council chambers where a number of resolutions and projects were adopted and approved.
Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux read a resolution that referenced the benefits of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the negative impacts which it would incur by funding cuts. The council voted and approved the week of April 2-6 as National Community Development Week 2018 in the City of Rayne.
Under new business, City Clerk Annette Cutrera presented the monthly financial update, stating that expenses were doing well and the budget was looking good. She also noted that city taxes were down 12 percent as compared to last year at this time.
The Council approved the annual street drive held by the Frog Capital Boxing Club to raise funds for traveling expenses for the group. Huey “Tiger” Touchet made the request for the drive to be held May 4 (5-7 p.m.) and May 5 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the major intersections in the city.
Three recommendations were received by the Council from the Rayne Planning and Zoning Commission Board for their approval.
The first recommendation was a variance submitted by John Trahan to build a storage building at 812 S. Parkerson (former location of Ray’s Skating Rink) which is zoned R-1, contingent upon the property being surveyed and recorded as lots and owner Brenda Constantin maintaining the city’s 4,800-square-foot requirement.
The request was voted upon and approved by the council.
The second request was by ARC of Acadiana to re-zone Lot 4 Block 3 of Sunrise Acres Subdivision in Rayne from an R-1 to a C-3, which will coincide with Lots 1, 2 and 3 at the same location.
Mark Daigle, Director of Zoning, Planning and Codes, assured the council all needed signatures of the subdivision residents had been obtained for the change.
The request was approved by the council.
The third and final item presented by the Planning and Zoning Commission was a three-part request concerning an 18-acre tract of land located north of Rayne on Louisiana Hwy. 35, known as A.B. Lavergne property.
During the commission’s meeting on March 26, discussion was brought up by Ron Sonnier concerning the property that was annexed into the city limits in January of 2004 zoned as a C-1. Since no use of the commercial zoning had taken place, according to Part 8 Amendments Section 8.107, the city zoning commission may, upon its own motion, advertise said property to be rezoned to its original classification.
The request denied by the council.
The second item presented for the Lavergne property was to amend the agenda to advertise to rezone the property known as A.B. Lavergne Land Realty Co., LLC, from its current C-1 back to an R-1 zoning.
After extended discussion, it was concluded the property was always a C-1 zoning since annexed into the city; therefore, could not “revert back” to R-1 zoning.
The request denied by the council.
The final request by the commission concerning the Lavergne property was to begin the process to rezone the property known as A.B. Lavergne Land Realty Co., LLC, consisting of approximately 18 acres from its current C-1 to R-1 zoning.
Following statements and questions by the council, Robichaux, Daigle, city attorney Larry Richard and engineer Tim Mader, the request tabled until the property owner can be heard from by the Council.
Once the recommendations by the commission were complete, Sunrise Acres Subdivision resident Terry Broussard asked to be heard since he was not recognized for comment during the discussion for the rezoning by ARC of Acadiana and he had followed correct protocol to speak.
“I’m sorry, but this zoning change will happen in my front yard,” Broussard said once able to speak during the meeting. “I filled out the card to speak but was never called upon when Sunrise rezoning came up. This affects not just me, but the entire area where I live.
“It’s kinda hard to believe that the lot you’re rezoning will jump from an R-1 for single families to an C-1 where almost anything goes. I don’t think that was designed that way.”
Robichaux noted “the council has already voted to approve the rezoning, but Mr. Broussard was not given an opportunity to speak that maybe something can be done to assist him.”
Robichaux suggested the rezoning take place as voted upon during the meeting, and he and the council would assist ARC of Acadiana to rezone all four lots of Sunrise Subdivision to an R-3, still providing the needed zoning for the planned group homes for the property.
It was later decided that the council meeting on May 14 will include a public hearing to address and vote to rezone lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Sunrise Subdivision to an R-3 rating.
Concluding new business was the approval of a lease between the City of Rayne and the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for the use of the pavilion and Frog Festival grounds for the 2018 Frog Festival during the month of May.
The two liquor permits applications approved by the council included: City Bar of Rayne for owner Chad Monceaux, and Super 1 Foods #644 for manager Matthew Straub (contingent upon Board of Health Certification).
The meeting was concluded with the announcement by Robichaux of Rayne winning the Cleanest City District Contest last week.
He thanked everyone who helped with the contest and urged all citizens and organizations to assist the city and Rayne Garden Club for the state contest in three weeks.