Permits; variances; obstruction marking and lighting

A. Permits. If airport zoning regulations are adopted a system shall be established by any political subdivision for the granting of permits to establish or construct new structures and other uses and to replace existing structures and other uses or make substantial changes therein or substantial repairs thereof. In any event, before any non-conforming structure or tree may be replaced, substantially altered or repaired, rebuilt, allowed to grow higher, or replanted, a permit shall be secured from the administrative agency authorized to administer and enforce the regulations, authorizing such replacement, change, or repair. No such permit shall be granted that would allow the structure or tree in question to be made higher or become a greater hazard to air navigation than it was when the applicable regulation was adopted; and whenever the administrative agency determines that a non-conforming structure or tree has been abandoned or more than eighty percent torn down, destroyed, deteriorated, or decayed: (1) no permit shall be granted that would allow the structure or tree to exceed the applicable height limit or otherwise deviate from the zoning regulations; and (2) whether application is made for a permit under this Subsection or not, the agency may by appropriate action compel the owner of the non-conforming structure or tree, at his own expense, to lower, remove, reconstruct, or equip such object as may be necessary to conform to the regulations or, if the owner of the non-conforming structure or tree shall neglect or refuse to comply with such order for ten days after notice thereof, the agency may proceed to have the object so lowered, removed, reconstructed, or equipped and assess the cost and expense thereof upon the object or the land whereon it is or was located. Unless such an assessment is paid within ninety days from the service of notice thereof on the agent or owner of such object or land, the sum shall bear interest at the rate of ten percent per annum until paid, and shall be collected in the same manner as are general taxes. Except as indicated, all applications for permits for replacement, change or repair of non-conforming uses shall be granted. B. Variances. Any person desiring to erect any structures, or increase the height of any structure, or permit the growth of any tree, or otherwise use his property, in violation of airport zoning regulations adopted under this Chapter, may apply to the board of appeals, as provided in R.S. 2:386 for a variance from the zoning regulations in question. Such variances shall be allowed where a literal application or enforcement of the regulations would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and the relief granted would not be contrary to the public interest but do substantial justice and be in accordance with the spirit of the regulations and this Chapter. C. Obstruction marking and lighting. In granting any permit or variance under this Section, the administrative agency or board of appeals may, if it deems such action advisable to effectuate the purposes of this Chapter and reasonable in the circumstances, so condition such permit or variance as to require the owner of the structure or tree in question to permit the parish, or other political subdivision, at its own expense, to install, operate, and maintain suitable obstruction markers and obstruction lights thereon.