By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

CONVENT — The price of construction in St. James Parish could be changing.

A public hearing is planned before next week’s St. James Parish Council meeting concerning new permit fees in the parish.

Council members are scheduled to vote on the measure when they meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Covent. A public hearing on the matter will take place at 6:15 p.m.

If approved, the proposed ordinance will set permit fees for new commercial, and residential construction, residential accessory structures and commercial and institutional renovations.

The proposed fee schedule includes:

• New residential accessory with one or more walls: 23 cents per square foot, $75 minimum and $500 maximum

• Detached accessory structure without walls less than 500 sq. ft.: $75 flat fee plus trade permits

• Detached accessory structure more than 500 sq. ft.: $200 flat fee plus trade permits

• Attached patio covers (aluminum): $75 flat fee

• Residential renovation less $5,000: $25 flat fee

• Residential renovation $5,000-$10,000: $100 flat fee

• Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas): $125

• Whole house generator: $200 flat fee

• Mobile homes: $150

• Non-residential change of occupancy: $100

• Sign permits: $100

• In ground swimming pools: $200

• Structure elevation: $500

• Residential structure relocation: $250 plus trade permits

• Firework stands, etc: $100

• Servitude encroachment review: $25.

In other St. James Parish news, Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser spoke in St. James last week, advocating for support of the comprehensive coastal initiative Plaquemines utilizes to protect against storm surge and marsh destruction.

Nungesser said the support of parishes such as St. James — that are not coastal parishes — are necessary because the hurricane damage links all South Louisiana, especially through Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River.