ST. MARTIN PARISH — St. Martinville is expanding its effort to address blight with an amended ordinance targeting abandoned and nuisance vehicles on private property.
Mayor Jason Willis said the vehicles can create safety concerns, become eyesores and affect nearby property values.
“It’s a nuisance, it’s an eyesore, it’s a safety hazard cause grass grows around it, it brings property value down. So when we’re here trying to get people to clean up their property or their homes that’s dilapidated and left there unattended to, it’s not fair that we just leave the vehicles there,” Willis said.
The City Council approved an amendment to the city’s existing ordinance on abandoned vehicles. The change gives the city additional authority to address vehicles that are inoperable, wrecked, dismantled or missing essential components and are visible from a public street or neighboring property.
Under the ordinance, a vehicle that remains on private property for 30 consecutive days can receive a notice from a city law enforcement officer or other authorized city official. The property owner then has 10 days from the date of the notice to remove the vehicle.
The city can also place a sign on the property near the vehicle and attach a notice to the vehicle itself. If the vehicle remains after the 10-day period, the city or an authorized tow company can remove it and handle it under Louisiana’s towing and storage laws.
“I don't think the previous ordinance was strong enough for us to go and get it, I think the previous ordinance had us where we had to contact the vehicle owner, some of these vehicles would have no license plate, we wouldn't even be able to find out who they’re for,” Willis said.
The amendment comes as St. Martinville continues its broader effort to address blight, including overgrown grass and nuisance properties.
Residents in areas with nuisance vehicles said they believe the city’s action is long overdue. Willis said the goal is to continue improving the appearance and safety of neighborhoods across St. Martinville.
“It’s a clean up effort all the way around, you know we wanna clean up the city of St. Martinville and it’s going to take a team effort, and it's going to be one step at a time,” Willis said.
