Gretna May Tougheb Blight Ordinances

GRETNA, La. (AP) — Hoping to spur action on long-neglected historic properties, the Gretna City Council will consider giving owners just 15 days to begin repairing the structures after notices of violations have been issued.

City Councilman Joe Marino III sponsored the measure, scheduled for action by the City Council in October, that would cut in half the time owners have to begin remediating deficiencies.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/16bobeC ) the current ordinance calls for owners to appear before the historic district advisory committee and to start repairing problems within 30 days after an inspector determines a historic property is being allowed to deteriorate by neglect.

Marino, whose amendment would give the owner 15 days, says the measure is part of a plan to aggressively address blight in the city's two historic districts.