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Monday, June 28, 2010

Disaster Mitigation Act - Emergency Preparedness - Community Engagement Meeting

The City of New Orleans Hazard Mitigation Office will host a community meeting to continue the planning process for the 2010 Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan. Everyone interested in hazard mitigation planning for New Orleans is encouraged to attend.

The community meeting information is available below:

Thursday, July 1, 6:00 PM

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library

5120 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115


The meeting will provide the New Orleans community with an opportunity to review the Mitigation Actions and to discuss the Implementation Strategy. Attached to this email are the minutes from the last 2010 Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Engagement Meeting held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that each Parish in Louisiana submit a new updated plan for approval within five (5) years of the previously approved plan. The new updated plan must be adopted by the City Council and also approved by the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and FEMA to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding. The plan will identify and assess risks from natural and man-made hazards, set goals for mitigation, and create mitigation actions designed to be implemented over the next five years.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Griffith (304-0680) or Karleene Smith at GCR & Associates, Inc. (304-0727)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Makin' Groceries Not OIL* A Benefit For Our Local Fishers

Jack & Jake's presents...

*Makin' Groceries Not OIL* A Benefit For Our Local Fishers*

We are looking for local businesses to help us put this event on for those
in immediate need. We need restaurants to provide food and drink samples
(~300 samples/vendor). Live music and free wine and beer will be provided.
The event is scheduled for Sat June 26th 7-10 PM at the future home of Jack
& Jake's 8300 Earhart Blvd.

Justin Pitts donated a pig and Cochon will cook it up for the event! Look for Patois, Crescent Pie & Sausage, Meltdown Pops, La Divina, St. James Cheese Company, Chef Esses, and more..


Jack & Jake's
8300 Earhart Blvd.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
w: jackandjakes.com
c: 504.390.9640
e: jack@jackandjakes.com

Monday, June 14, 2010

Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance

1st Citywide Meeting
on Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Saturday, June 26, 2010
8:30 AM to Noon
at Dillard University – Albert Dent Hall
2601 Gentilly Blvd.


Dear Citizen Planner:

You, your neighbors, friends and associates are invited to join in the initial meeting of the planning process to get citizen input on the revision of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO).

On Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Dillard University’s, Albert Dent Hall (Gymnasium), the City Planning Commission will host a citywide gathering to explain and get input on the zoning principles, which will be used in crafting the Zoning Ordinance that locks in the Land Use elements of the Master Plan (“New Orleans 2030: A Plan for the 21st Century”). The Citywide Forum will begin at 8:30 AM and will wrap-up around noon. Please RSVP by e-mailing “trene@Brightmomentsnola.com”. We also encourage you to help us spread the word to your e-mail network.

Camiros, the lead consultant on the zoning effort, will explain the process and provide information on their “Place Based” approach to developing the CZO. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and give input on the approach and to fully understand how the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance will impact your neighborhood.

Background Information
In the city of New Orleans, the physical development of land is controlled by zoning or the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO). Zoning is a key tool for implementing many of the policies of the new Master Plan. It establishes rules for determining where new development can be located and how it should be designed. It establishes where buildings can be placed on lots. It controls the height and size of buildings. Zoning establishes rules for determining how existing homes, businesses and other building can be enlarged or altered. It establishes the density of our neighborhoods. But, zoning does not control all aspects of our built environment, such as the details of building construction, or building maintenance.

Zoning in New Orleans today is a patchwork of rules that, while well intended when written, are not well suited to maintaining desired types of existing development or attracting appropriate types of redevelopment. Often, there is a disconnect between what people want to build and what can be built. This is, in part, because our present zoning ordinance was designed to encourage a rather uniform pattern of development. Many of its districts contain regulations that do not fit the development that presently exists or is desired.

While the zoning ordinance has undergone substantial amendment over the years to encourage desirable development patterns, these changes have made the ordinance very complex, confusing and hard to use. With the anticipated adoption of the Master Plan, the CPC is now focused on developing a new CZO that will be user-friendly, consistent and predictable in its application; it must be easily understood by the citizens and business community alike.


The Process
During the coming months, citizens of New Orleans will have the opportunity to consider and discuss elements of the Zoning Ordinance for recommendation to the City Planning Commission, and City Council. A schedule of Planning District Meetings will soon be announced.

Thank you!
The New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Team

For more information, go to the project website www.nolamasterplan.org