Berwick fixes omissions in zoning rules

Berwick officials amended the town’s zoning rules Tuesday, adding language that was accidentally left out of the zoning ordinance.
The Town Council accepted the planning and zoning board’s recommendation to amend the town’s zoning ordinance.
The Daily Review re-ported in October that errors were found in the Uses by Right section of Article 8, B-1 Local Shopping District regulations.
Mayor Louis Ratcliff said at the Oct. 11 council meeting that the items were unintentionally omitted from the original draft of the ordinance to its final draft.
The following additions for uses permitted were added to the ordinance:
—Dwellings, one-family.
—Home occupants.
—Parks, playgrounds, and community buildings owned or operated by town, city, state, or federal agencies.
—Private recreational uses such as tennis courts, swimming pools and golf courses operated exclusively for private use and not for commercial purposes.
—Public libraries or museums.
—Public schools both elementary and high, or public schools having a curriculum essentially the same as ordinarily offered in a public elementary school or public high school, and private or public nursery schools or kindergartens.
The following uses, which require planning approval, were also added:
—Condominiums.
—Dwellings, two-family, including developments that will have multiple structures containing residential units on one lot.
—Dwellings, three and four-family, including developments that will have multiple structures containing residential units on one lot.
—Dwellings, more than four-family, including multiple structures containing residential units on one lot.
—Garages, storage.
—Townhouses.
For purposes of the provisions of this article, row houses, mobile homes, and mobile home parks are expressly prohibited within this zoning district.
The council also approved three resolutions for Berwick to apply for state capital outlay for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The proposed projects on the list include overlaying various streets at a cost of about $1.42 million, rehabilitating the sewer system on Fourth, Fifth, Texas, Francis, and Utah streets at a cost of $174,960, and making improvements to the sewer collection system on Old Spanish Trail and La. 182, at a cost of about $2.6 million.
Additionally, the council approved a resolution to oppose any lawsuits filed by Gov. John Bel Edwards or any other state official on behalf of St. Mary Parish and the town of Berwick regarding coastal erosion and coastal permits.
The council and mayor proclaimed in the resolution, along with parish officials, to “vehemently oppose any such attack against” the oil and gas industry.
St. Mary and Iberia parishes have previously opposed and asked that “elected officials not pursue any frivolous lawsuits blanketing this industry that has been a proven business partner in our community,” the resolution stated.
In other business, the council
—Accepted the appointment of Frances Daughtery to the housing authority board.
—Adopted a Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
—Accepted a resolution of respect for Al Lippman.