Land Use, Planning, & Zoning Updates

September 25, 2023

Assessor’s letter to the editor posted at nola.com.

I would like to thank the people of New Orleans for a remarkably successful open rolls period. We made over 130,000 changes to property values, and the long lines that historically have been synonymous with this time of year were nowhere to be seen.

Now with the assessment rolls closed, I want to make it known that I recognize the concern this year’s quadrennial revaluation caused in our community, especially in light of the skyrocketing cost of home insurance and the stubborn persistence of inflation.

Let me take this opportunity to clarify a few things.

As a whole, Orleans Parish property owners will not pay more in taxes because real estate market values went up and assessments are higher.

The state constitution reads, “the total amount of ad valorem taxes collected by any taxing authority… shall not be increased or decreased because of a reappraisal.”

This means when values go up in the four years between quadrennial reappraisals, the Louisiana Constitution requires a corresponding reduction in the millage rate. This ensures that total tax revenues don’t change just because of the real estate market. This is referred to as a “roll back.”

The numbers won’t be final until the rolls are certified in October, but as of right now there is a 23% increase in total taxable assessments. This means the millage rate will go down 23%, from 146.81 mills to 113.04.

However, each taxing authority can vote to raise the millage rate right back up. This is referred to as a “roll forward.”

To raise the millage rates after the automatic reduction, taxing authorities must:
• Publish two separate notices in public journals announcing their consideration of a millage at a public hearing at least 30 days in advance of the meeting
• Hold an advertised, open and public hearing to consider their vote to increase taxes
• Approve the tax increase with a 2/3 supermajority vote of members

I urge all taxpayers in Orleans Parish to be engaged as the City Council, School Board, Sewerage & Water Board, Sheriff, and other authorities determine whether to raise your taxes.

The roll back required by law is there to protect you, so make your voice heard. Orleans Parish taxpayers don’t have to pay more because real estate market values went up.

ERROLL WILLIAMS
Assessor, Orleans Parish

2600 St Claude 5-14-23 CPC.pdf

TDudley-Letter re 502 Frenchmen.pdf

502 Frenchmen Origins.pdf

502 Frenchmen Appeal Denial Request- II.pdf

AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE CALENDAR NUMBER 34,083

 CITY HALL:    March 23, 2023

BY:COUNCILMEMBER KING

SECONDED BY:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

An amendment to Calendar Number 34,083 to provide an application process wherein any property owner may request a special exception for an increase in the number of allowable non-commercial short-term rentals within the block in which the property owner owns property.

AMENDMENT:

1. In Section 11, on page 19, on line 65, delete the word “Only” and insert the words “Except as provided in Section 21.8.C.18.r, only” in lieu thereof.

2. In Section 11, on page 20, after line 87, insert the following:

r.Any property owner may request a special exception increasing the number of allowable non-commercial short-term rentals within the block in which the applicant owns property. Prior to submitting said request, the property owner shall provide written notice of the application, on a form developed by the Staff of the City Planning Commission, to all residents and property owners whose properties share a property line with the subject property, as well as the district Council office and any neighborhood organization that is registered with the Office of Neighborhood Engagement and whose geographical purview includes the property, as shown on the Office of Neighborhood Engagement website. Said request shall be submitted to the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission, who shall review and make recommendations to the City Council relative to the special exception request. The City Planning Commission staff shall render its recommendations within sixty days of receipt, using the following review standards: 

i. Is the requested increase compatible with the surrounding land use and structures? 

ii. Are there unique geographic considerations which would mitigate the impact of an additional non-commercial short term rental use within the block? 

iii. Are there unique use conditions in the surrounding areas which would be well-served by or mitigate the impact of an additional non-commercial short term rental use within the block? 

iv. Will the additional non-commercial short term rental use increase traffic and safety hazards? 

v. Will the additional non-commercial short term rental use create parking issues around the block or in the surrounding areas? 

vi. Will the additional non-commercial short term rental use impair the health, safety and welfare of the neighboring properties? 

The Council shall have sixty (60) days from receipt of the recommendation to approve, deny, or modify the special exception request by motion. The granting of a special exception shall not entitle the applicant to a short-term rental permit. Additional permits within blocks subject to a special exception shall be awarded in accordance with the provisions set forth in the City Code. In the event the Council denies a request for a special exception within a particular block, no new request for a special exception in said block shall be accepted for a period of two years.

ENGROSSED VERSION

The following engrossed version shows how the proposed amendment would modify Calendar Number 34,083, as originally introduced.  Additions are underlined. Deletions are shown as strikethroughs.

*   *   *

SECTION 11. THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HEREBY ORDAINS, That Article 21 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 4264 M.C.S., as amended by Ordinance No. 26,413 M.C.S. and subsequent amendments), be, and is hereby amended and reordained to read as follows: 

“ARTICLE 21.ON-SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

*  *  *

21.8.C PERMITTED TEMPORARY USES

*  *  *

21.8.C.18 SHORT TERM RENTAL, NON-COMMERCIAL

*  *  *

m.Except as provided in Section 21.8.C.18.r, only Only one (1) non-commercial short term rental permit may be issued within each city block, inclusive of all lots fronting any exterior boundary of said block and all interior lots not fronting the public right of way.

*  *  *

r.Any property owner may request a special exception increasing in the number of allowable non-commercial short-term rentals within the block in which the applicant owns property. Prior to submitting said request, the property owner shall provide written notice of the application, on a form developed by the Staff of the City Planning Commission, to all residents and property owners whose properties share a property line with the subject property, as well as the district Council office and any neighborhood organization that is registered with the Office of Neighborhood Engagement and whose geographical purview includes the property, as shown on the Office of Neighborhood Engagement website.  Said request shall be submitted to the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission, who shall review and make recommendations to the City Council relative to the special exception request. The City Planning Commission staff shall render its recommendations within sixty days of receipt, using the following review standards: 

i. Is the requested increase compatible with the surrounding land use and structures? 

ii. Are there unique geographic considerations which would mitigate the impact of an additional non-commercial short term rental use within the block? 

iii. Are there unique use conditions in the surrounding areas which would be well-served by or mitigate the impact of an additional non-commercial short term rental use within the block? 

iv. Will the additional non-commercial short term rental use increase traffic and safety hazards? 

v. Will the additional non-commercial short term rental use create parking issues around the block or in the surrounding areas? 

vi. Will the additional non-commercial short term rental use impair the health, safety and welfare of the neighboring properties? 

The Council shall have sixty (60) days from receipt of the recommendation to approve, deny, or modify the special exception request by motion. The granting of a special exception shall not entitle the applicant to a short-term rental permit. Additional permits within blocks subject to a special exception shall be awarded in accordance with the provisions set forth in the City Code. In the event the Council denies a request for a special exception within a particular block, no new request for a special exception in said square shall be accepted for a period of four years. 

*  *  *”

”

FMIA Letter to City Council re STRS 2-26-23.pdf

STR CPC Letter 1-15-23.pdf