McHost Road is a 2.8 mile well-traveled Parish road that connects Hwy. 64 (Main Street) and Pride-Port Hudson Road. McHost is narrow with deep ditches on both sides and lined with large trees and no shoulders, which has long obstructed drivers' views.
It has also long been the source of many motor vehicle accidents, injuries and even deaths.
Last August, officials gathered to announce the proposed $2.5 to $3 million project which would widen McHost from its current two 9.5' travel lanes to two 11.5' lanes. Shoulders would be also be added.
Donation of landowners' right-of-ways has already begun but only 30 of the 90 property owners have agreed to donate, Hopewell said. The appraisal work is necessary in case the donations don't pan out.
Two of the appraisal companies turned in price per lot fees, while one submitted a flat fee for the work. “We’re not comparing apples to apples here," Hopewell said. "They all came and said we're here and we want to help Zachary. There's no prohibition on splitting the work, so the Council may decide to split the work three ways."
The three appraisers are James Libscomb, Michael De Felice and Patrick Roy.
Also on the City Council agenda:
ANNEXATION: Mayor David Amrhein told city councilmen that talks of annexing Mount Pleasant Road (La. 64) from Old Scenic Highway (La. 964) to La. 61, has begun.
Hopewell said discussion of the annexation process has begun with attorney Michael Hebert. "He is the expert in annexation," Hopewell explained after the meeting. "There was some question as to whether we could annex that roadway (Hwy. 64) at all."
Hebert has worked with Zachary before annexing land for the Americana development, which is currently under construction.
CONDEMNATION: Zachary resident Shirley Lewis of 4622 Avenue G approached the Council asking for an extension on her condemned property.
"All we want to see is that you're making progress, and we won't touch it," said Mayor Amrhein. "Just don't drag this out...this is not open-ended, but we will work with you."
Property owners who have homes being considered for the condemnation process have an opportunity to make repairs to bring the property up to code.
If owners do not make the repairs in the allotted time set forth by the City Council, properties could be put on the condemnation list and eventually demolished.
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