Glossary

Aesthetic — of or concerning the appreciation of beauty

Appellant — one who appeals a court decision

Arbitrary — determined by chance, whim or impulse; not limited by law

Boards — organized bodies of administrators

Capricious — impulsive or unpredictable

Cities — incorporated U.S. municipalities with definite boundaries and powers set forth in a state charter

Compensate — to make payments to; reimburse

Commissions — a group authorized to perform certain duties or functions

Conferred — held a meeting

Councils — administrative, legislative or advisory bodies

County — an administrative subdivision of a state or territory

Derogation — taken away, detraction

Due process — an established course for legislative or judicial proceedings designed to safeguard the legal rights of the individual

Enjoin — to forbid

Injunction — a court order prohibiting or requiring a specific action

Municipal — having local self-government

Paramount — of chief concern or importance

Parish — an administrative subdivision in Louisiana that corresponds to a county in other states

Plaintiff — the party instituting a suit in court

Planning/Zoning Commissions — a group authorized to designate an area for a specific purpose

Police Powers — those powers extended from states to municipal governments therein with which to regulate health, safety, morals and welfare matters within their jurisdiction

Politics — the activities or affairs engaged in by a government

Promulgation — making known by public declaration

Statute — a law enacted by a legislature; a bylaw or decree

Statutory — enacted, regulated or authorized by statute

Towns — a population center larger than a village and usually smaller than a city

Township — a public land surveying unit of thirty-six square miles

Substantive — substantial, considerable

Unambiguous — not open to more than one interpretation

Unfettered — freed from restrictions or bonds

Village — an incorporated community smaller in population than a town

Zoning — designating a section of an area for a specific purpose, e.g. a residential zone