Morgan City development district OK’d

The legislative framework has been set for the possibility of a city-developed subdivision, Morgan City Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi said.
State Rep. Sam Jones, D-Franklin, authored House Bill 582 to create the Morgan City Development District. The bill was signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal May 28 and will go into effect Aug. 1.
The city council must still approve the forming district, Grizzaffi said. The city also has to form a board of commissioners, he said. The board would consist of five members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. “The real thing that Rep. Jones has done is he’s got the framework in place approved at the legislative level,” Grizzaffi said.
The primary reason to form the development district to give the city the tools to develop a subdivision if the city chooses to do so, the mayor said. “That’s basically mimicking what Berwick has done with Renwick (Subdivision),” Grizzaffi said.
Preliminary talks with the owners of the Hellenic property in Morgan City have shown the owners are receptive to the idea of developing a subdivision, Grizzaffi said. The Hellenic property is located at the end of Brashear Avenue by Lake Palourde, he said.
City officials will now be able to review the legislation and have a chance to make some minor adjustments, the mayor said. The city plans to take advantage of grants available through the development district, but does not plan to levy any taxes associated with the district, Grizzaffi said.
The district would allow the city to acquire land and property from any other sources, entities, or people, according to the act passed by the legislature.
The act also allows for the use of any land, property and improvements to enhance economic benefits generated in Morgan City through activities such as planning land use and development that would facilitate the creation of new jobs, economic development, industry, health care, commerce, manufacturing and tourism.