New Iberia property owner sues city to stop demolition

New Iberia property owner Perry Becnel has filed a temporary restraining order against the city to prevent the demolition of some of his properties at Cherokee and Lafayette streets.

Becnel’s properties on the 600 block of Lafayette Street that had not yet been remodeled were ordered demolished at the Sept. 16 City Council meeting by a 5-1 vote, with Councilwoman Therese Segura dissenting and Councilman Rocky Romero absent.

Councilman Raymond “Shoe-do” Lewis, in whose district the property lies, said at the meeting neighbors complained of traffic in and out of unoccupied properties.

Becnel attended at least one previous council meeting and was given some time to bring one of his properties up to standard. He remodeled that property.

At the Sept. 16 council meeting, Becnel said he did not have time or money to immediately address the other properties.

“It takes money and also time,” Becnel said.

“I’m just going to board them up until I’m able to get back to it. If I can’t do it, I can’t do it.”

New Orleans-based lawyer Hilliard Fazande III filed for injunctive relief on Becnel’s behalf Monday, alleging Becnel’s Fourteenth Amend-ment rights were violated by the City Council, as “residents of New Iberia were given substantially more time to bring their property up to code than non-resident property owners.”

Fazande said the allegation was based on reviews he made of the recordings of City Council meetings. He also said there was a property across the street that was in worse condition than Becnel’s.

New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry said they “certainly try and treat everyone the same,” and the amount of time given also depends on whether the property is a danger or a health hazard.

Lewis said the allegation “doesn’t dignify a response.”

“We deal with each set of properties the same way,” he said.

Curry said she visited the remodeled property and thought Becnel did “a very nice job.”

“I know his intentions were good, and he is planning to renovate them,” said Curry. “In many cases when they are making progress the council will give them additional time, so I don’t know what their reasoning was.”

Curry said she did not say anything at the meeting because Becnel had already been given “a good bit of time” to address the problems.

“The gentleman had ample time to keep his word,” said Lewis this morning.

“And I kept my word to my constituents. They had legitimate concerns.”

Lewis added neighbors’ feelings that the properties should be demolished are “stronger than ever.”

Compliance Director Tim Vice said it usually takes about six weeks for properties to be demolished, as the city has to put out bids and disconnect utilities.

They are proceeding as of normal right now. Vice said they would continue to do so until they receive the injunction.

The petition was filed but has not yet been processed.

Barring future changes, it will be heard at 9 a.m. Nov. 7 in the Iberia Parish Court-house.