RS 140.201 - General purposes
A. It is the purpose and intent of this Subpart to authorize metropolitan planning in the parish of Calcasieu and to provide that the governing authority of Calcasieu Parish and the governing authority of any municipality within the parish may execute a joint cooperative agreement to provide for the creation, organization, powers, and duties of a metropolitan planning commission. The joint agreement may provide for the regulation of the subdivision of land in the metropolitan planning area, as defined therein; for the making and adoption of an official map or maps to preserve the integrity of the major street plan and other plans by the regulation of buildings in mapped streets; for the making and adoption of a zoning plan and zoning ordinance or ordinances; for the adoption of ordinances prescribing minimum construction, health, and sanitation standards to prevent the spread of slums and to encourage and assist public and private agencies, corporations, and individuals in the rehabilitation and redevelopment of blighted areas; and for the adoption of other plans, ordinances, and measures to effectuate the purposes of this Subpart.
B. The joint agreement shall also establish the boundaries of the metropolitan planning area by reference to a map which shall be filed with the clerk and recorder of the parish.
C. Within the designated metropolitan planning area and subject to the provisions of the joint cooperative agreement, the metropolitan planning commission shall also have all the powers and functions relating to making, adopting, amending, and adding to the master plan of the parish or municipality, or relating to the planning of the parish or municipality as provided or granted by this Subpart or by other laws to regional, parish, and municipal planning commissions and the master plan, its parts, amendments, and additions made and adopted by the metropolitan planning commission shall have the same force and effect in the metropolitan planning area as though made and adopted by the parish or municipality.
D. Where, for reasons of convenience, economy, or effectiveness in the administration of plans, ordinances, or other measures, such as zoning, it is desired that a city council or the police jury or a department, bureau, or agent thereof undertake the administration of such plans, ordinances, or other measures with respect to the territory of any other city or the parish, the city councils and police jury are hereby authorized and empowered to enter into such arrangement or arrangements as may be mutually agreed upon for such administration and to provide compensation therefor to the governing authority or department, bureau, or agent thereof, commensurate with the value and extent of the administration and work involved.
E. Nothing in this Subpart shall be construed as authorizing the delegation by a city council or the police jury to another city council or police jury or to any department, bureau, or agent thereof, of the legislative authority vested by law in such governing authority. Nor shall anything in this Subpart be deemed to modify, alter, or repeal any authority granted to any participating party under existing law or the provisions of a home rule charter.
Acts 2003, No. 1168, §1, eff. July 2, 2003.