§2740.74. Establishment of district

A. The method for the establishment of a business improvement district shall be pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality or parish in which the area of land is located granting a petition for the establishment of a business improvement district. The petition for the establishment of a business improvement district shall be filed by the petitioner with the governing authority of the municipality or parish. The petition shall contain:

(1) A description of the boundaries of the district.

(2) The written consent to the establishment of the district by all landowners whose immovable property is to be included in the district.

(3) A designation of five persons to be the initial members of the board of commissioners, who shall serve in that office until replaced by elected members as provided in R.S. 33:2740.75(B)(1).

(4) The proposed name of the district.

(5) A map of the proposed district showing existing infrastructure, if any.

(6) Based upon available data, the proposed timetable for construction of the district services and the estimated cost of constructing the proposed services.

B. A public hearing on the petition shall be conducted by the governing authority of the municipality or parish within forty-five days after the petition is filed unless an extension of time is requested by the petitioners and granted by the governing authority of the municipality or parish. The hearing shall be held at an accessible location in the municipality or parish in which the business improvement district is to be located. The petitioner shall cause a notice of the hearing to be published in a newspaper at least once a week for the four successive weeks immediately prior to the hearing. Such notice shall give the time and place for the hearing, a description of the area to be included in the district, and any other relevant information which the establishing governing bodies may require. The advertisement shall be published in the official journal of the municipality or parish.

C. The governing authority of the municipality or parish shall consider the record of the public hearing and any other relevant factors in making its determination to grant or deny a petition for the establishment of a business improvement district.

D. An ordinance establishing a business improvement district shall include the boundaries of the district, the names of the five persons designated to be the initial members of the board of commissioners of the district, and the name of the district.

Acts 2003, No. 904, §1.