ENROLLED
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 181
BY REPRESENTATIVE ARNOLD
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council to adopt a
rehabilitation subcode pilot program within the state uniform construction code for
participating downtown development districts.
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Legislature of
Louisiana found it necessary to adopt the mandatory construction standards; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana promulgated a state uniform construction
code to govern the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings and other
structures; and
WHEREAS, the public policy of Louisiana is to maintain reasonable standards of
construction in buildings and other structures in the state consistent with the public health,
safety, and welfare of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, certain portions of the state uniform construction code are vague as to
older historic properties; and
WHEREAS, many states, including New Jersey, have adopted subcodes to
incorporate the preservation and maintenance of older and historic buildings and landmarks
into their state construction code; and
WHEREAS, since the adoption of a rehabilitation subcode in New Jersey, investment
in the rehabilitation of older properties has increased by twenty percent or more annually;
and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the state of Louisiana to ensure that historic
buildings and landmarks are maintained, preserved, and redeveloped through an effective
rehabilitation subcode within the state uniform construction code; and
WHEREAS, the city of New Orleans is revered throughout the country for its historic
buildings and landmarks; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 181
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, initial studies and education on the application of a rehabilitation
subcode have been undertaken in the New Orleans Downtown Development District; and
WHEREAS, many downtown development districts in Louisiana promote the
rehabilitation of their historic buildings as a principle strategy of economic development;
and
WHEREAS, a pilot program is deemed to be the most effective way to determine the
benefits and applicability of a New Jersey-style rehabilitation subcode; and
WHEREAS, many downtown development districts may wish to participate in a
rehabilitation subcode pilot program within the state uniform construction code; and
WHEREAS, the proposed pilot program shall allow properties located within the
boundaries of participating downtown development districts the ability to follow the New
Jersey rehabilitation subcode in any rehabilitation or construction activity as part of the pilot
program; and
WHEREAS, the pilot program shall run a length of three years from the date of
adoption of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, participating downtown development districts, in conjunction with the
Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council, shall make efforts to provide initial
training and education on the rehabilitation subcode for code enforcement officials as part
of the pilot program; and
WHEREAS, a study report shall be produced by the participating downtown
development districts on the resulting rehabilitation projects undertaken under the
rehabilitation subcode pilot program at the conclusion of the program; and
WHEREAS, the study shall report the operational effectiveness of the rehabilitation
subcode pilot program and make recommendations on further application, improvement, or
termination for the rehabilitation subcode's existence within the state uniform construction
code.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana State Uniform
Construction Code Council to adopt a rehabilitation subcode pilot program within the state
uniform construction code for participating downtown development districts. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 181
Page 3 of 3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE