The Gretna City Council pushed forward Wednesday with its plan to prohibit the opening of check-cashing and short-term loan companies in the city for up to six months, although one last business will be allowed to open despite the ban. The council unanimously approved the 180-day moratorium which was requested and sponsored by Councilman Milton Crosby. Crosby said the...
The Gretna City Council pushed forward Wednesday with its plan to prohibit the opening of check-cashing and short-term loan companies in the city for up to six months, although one last business will be allowed to open despite the ban.
Milton CrosbyThe council unanimously approved the 180-day moratorium which was requested and sponsored by Councilman Milton Crosby. Crosby said the businesses prey on lower-income individuals like many of the residents in his district.
Crosby also initially opposed the approval of an occupational license for a new check-cashing business at 58 West Bank Expressway that also was on Wednesday's agenda.
"I'm just not a fan of the plan of what they want to put in this area," Crosby said.
The occupational license for Westbank Cash Advance would ultimately be allowed to move forward after city attorney Mark Morgan advised the council that the moratorium would not apply to the business because it would take effect 10 days after the council meeting. As long as Westbank Cash Advance met the city's regulations, he said, its application could be approved by the city's administration.
"This thing can run its normal course through the administration," Morgan said.
The ban on check-cashing and short-term loan businesses is the third moratorium established by the council in five months. In July, the council hastily established a ban on all new liquor licenses right before considering an application for a liquor license and occupational license for a bar at 54 West Bank Expressway, according to meeting minutes. Elmer Moncado was told that the city would not issue the license or permit because of the moratorium that was established that night.
Mayor Ronnie Harris acknowledged on Wednesday that it appears that two different standards were used in those instances, but said he acted on the direction of the council and Morgan.
Although Crosby sponsored the new moratorium, the bans have been the brainchild of Councilwoman Raylyn Beevers, who has said they are a reaction to complaints from residents about the quality of retail operations in the city. Beevers currently is working with planner Lydia Jemison to create comprehensive signage guidelines for Gretna to improve the city's appearance, she said.
"People are talking about this," Beevers said after the meeting.
The council also has adopted a moratorium on new convenience stores.
Councilman Vincent Cox warned that the city has to be careful about establishing moratoriums and needs to be certain it's following its guidelines about conducting studies related to the issues raised by the banned businesses.
"We can't just be establishing moratoriums," Cox said after the meeting.
Allen Powell II can be reached at apowell@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3793.