| Advisory opinion regarding whether Paul Cramer, an employee of the New Orleans City Planning Commission, may work on the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Official Maps when property personally owned by Mr. Cramer may be affected. |
|
Paul Cramer is an employee of the New Orleans City Planning Commission. The staff of the Planning Commission is currently working on a project to revise the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Official Maps for the entire city. Staff members generally concentrate on a particular article (chapter) or articles of the draft document or section of the map. Staff revisions are to the draft are reviewed by the City Planning Commission Director and Assistant Director. Then the revisions are reviewed and authorized for release by the City Planning Commission by vote.
Mr. Cramer owns three separate properties, including one undeveloped property zoned light industrial. Mr. Cramer realized early on that this particular piece of property was located in an area where the regulations that were applicable to it may be controversial, which included regulations for the "Riverfront Design Overlay District." Mr. Cramer disclosed his ownership of this property to the Director of the Planning Commission and he did not work on any revisions to the Riverfront Design Overlay District. When this matter was discussed by staff, Mr. Cramer was not part of the discussions.
In mid-2013, the City Planning Commission authorized the release of the draft Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and it has since been through public review. Mr. Cramer has avoided participating in the revision of the Riverfront Design Overlay District and the selection of zoning for his property.
There is still more work that needs to be done on the draft Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Cramer seeks an opinion on whether he may continue to work on the draft as long as he avoids participating on any revisions that involve his property.
|
|
|
La. R.S. 42:1112A prohibits a public servant from participating in a transaction involving his governmental entity in which he has a substantial economic interest.
|
|
|
Adopt proposed advisory opinion.
|
|
| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
|
|