PORT NECHES — Port Neches Zoning Board of Adjustment is looking to terminate its attorney and reevaluate its position in a lawsuit with the city.

Attorney Jane Leger petitioned the court to be removed from the case regarding the lawsuit between the mayor and city council versus the ZBA, according to information from the city.

The board will discuss the issue of the attorney’s termination and what its next steps should be during a special meeting at 4 p.m. Monday at city hall, 1005 Merriman St. in Port Neches.

Matt Vincent, newly appointed president of the ZBA, said he does not know how the board will vote regarding the two issues but feels it may be best to let the court decide the issues and go from there.

“We will do our best job,” Vincent said of the board and future issues. “Everything will be judged on a case by case basis. We are going to get back to taking care of business.”

On Nov. 19, 2015, the ZBA learned the mayor and city council filed a writ of certiorari regarding the zoning board’s approval of three variances related to the construction of a proposed luxury apartment complex.

The legal document states “the board were illegal in that each variance exceeds the limits placed on the construction of multifamily housing units” by city code.

Jeff Ahktar of Amron Housing Group, proposed the construction of an apartment complex to be located at 3031 Eighth St. The apartments will be a mix of two and three story building with 140 units with an investment of $8 million.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Port Neches met on Nov. 9 and approved variances to go above the two-story height requirement, to place more than 12 attached dwellings units under one roof and go beyond the acreage density. The proposed apartments will be a gated complex featuring a laundry, pool, workout room, event center, access gate and brick columns.

A change of guard occurred within the months that followed with several resignations of board members and new members being brought onboard to serve in alternate and permanent positions. A majority of the previous board which was in favor of the apartment have been replaced.

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