JOURNAL STAFF
The Pineville City Council on Tuesday established new zoning regulations for metal-frame residential structures and launched formal proceedings to condemn an abandoned hotel property that city leaders declared a persistent public safety hazard.
During its regular monthly meeting, the council unanimously adopted an ordinance amending the city’s zoning code to set eligibility, dimension, and neighborhood compatibility standards for post-frame, metal-frame, and “barndominium” single-family and multi-family residences within R-1 and R-2 zoning districts.
The council also approved a resolution directing the city to serve formal notice to the owners of 11 Lord of Lords Ave., setting a public hearing for the property’s condemnation. The address is the site of the former OYO Hotel located behind the McDonald’s off U.S. Highway 165.
Mayor Joe Bishop noted that the property has sat vacant for roughly three years and is currently undergoing foreclosure.
“It really needs to come to the ground,” Bishop said, adding that two separate fires were set in individual rooms at the site within the past month. “This is a danger to our community and also to our police and fire departments responding to calls like this.”
In financial updates, Finance Director David Humphrey reported a strong start to the 2026–2027 fiscal year. Sales tax collections for July 2026 reached $1,602,800, representing a 12% increase—or roughly $178,000—compared to July 2025.
Humphrey attributed the growth to expanding retail options, including new commercial developments along with increased residential and commercial construction across the city. July occupational license revenue also rose 82% over the same period last year to $12,780.
In other business, the council:
- Adopted an updated ordinance regarding the removal and enforcement procedure for abandoned vehicles, with code enforcement officers issuing 15-day compliance notices on non-operational vehicles parked on city rights-of-way.
- Approved initial condemnation notices and scheduled public hearings for residential properties located at 616 Baptist St., 134 Jenny St., and 107 Steven St.
- Awarded a contract under the FY 2023 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program for Lot 3 of the city’s ongoing blighted structure clearance program.
- Adopted the 2026 Rapides Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, maintaining local eligibility for federal emergency management funding.
- Approved an equipment lease-purchase agreement for a Peterson TL3 loader on a Freightliner chassis for the Public Works Department.
- Reappointed Frank Jackson to the Board of the Pineville Downtown Development District.