City of Monroe, LA

O  R  D  I  N  A  N  C  E

STATE OF LOUISIANA

CITY OF MONROE                                     

                                                                                                                  NO.  11,840                     

            The following Ordinance was offered by Ms.  Woods                      who moved for its adoption and was seconded by Mr.   Echols                        :

Amendment to Chapter 37, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Monroe, Article VI Supplementary Use Standards, Section 37-92 Use Standards, (f) Group Homes (3) regarding the distance between Group Homes

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Monroe has this date held its Public Hearing with respect to the following proposed amendments to Chapter 37, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Monroe, Article VI Supplementary Use Standards, Section 37-92 Use Standards, (f) Group Homes (3) regarding the distance between group homes.

 WHEREAS, the intent of Group Homes is to provide a residential atmosphere for those residing in the home; and the current requirement of 1,000 feet between Group Homes does not provide this atmosphere as the homes would be placed several blocks apart; and

WHEREAS, Staff is recommending that the distance between Group Homes be changed from one thousand (1,000’) feet to four hundred (400’) feet between Group Homes to provide a more residential environment; and

            WHEREAS, the City Council has further considered the recommendation of the Monroe Planning Commission recommending approval, on a 7-0-1 vote, and that the above stated Sections of the Code of the City of Monroe should be amended.        

            NOW, THEREFORE;
BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana, in legal session convened, that Chapter 37, Zoning, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Monroe, Louisiana be and it is amended as follows:

AMEND:                  

ARTICLE VI. SUPPLEMENTARY USE STANDARDS
SECTION 37-92 USE STANDARDS 

(f) GROUP HOME

1. Group homes must be licensed by the State of Louisiana.
2. Group homes are subject to all local and federal regulations, and the regulations of the Louisiana Administrative Code.

1. Group homes must be located no closer than one thousand feet (1,000’) four hundred feet (400’)from any other existing group home, as measured from a point of the lot line on which the use is proposed to be located to the nearest point on the lot line on which any other existing similar use is located.

1. A group home must encompass the entire structure.

1. The location, design and operation of a group home must not alter the residential character of a neighborhood. The facility must retain a residential character, which must be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood in scale and appearance.

1. Group homes are divided into the following sizes:

1. Small group homes: Up to six (6) residents;
2. Large group homes: Seven (7) to twelve (12) residents;

1. Congregate group homes: Thirteen (13) or more residents.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED,

            This ordinance was INTRODUCED on the 19th day of March 2018.

NOTICE PUBLISHED on the  22nd                         day of  March            , 2018.

            This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced and published was then submitted to a final vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:

AYES:            Echols, Ezernack, Woods, Wilson & Clark

NAYS:            None.

ABSENT:       None.

            And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on the  10th   day of  April              , 2018.

Gretchen H. Ezernack            

CHAIRMAN

Carolus S. Riley                     

CITY CLERK

James E. Mayo                       

MAYOR’S APPROVAL

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MAYOR’S VETO