STARKVILLE — Builders now have an option to save money during subdivision construction.
The Board of Aldermen had its third public hearing Tuesday on amending its subdivision regulations to allow one-stage street development, a move three aldermen panned for different reasons.
The board ultimately voted 4-3 to amend the ordinance, which currently allows developers to build streets in two phases, with the final 1 1/2 inches of asphalt to be laid after 85 percent completion.
Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins chastised the measure because it was originally brought to Mayor Parker Wiseman by an area developer. Perkins said the board would set a precedent with the “developer’s amendment.”
“I think the old system works fine,” Perkins said. “This matter seems like it came out of nowhere.”
Perkins, along with Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, questioned the benefit for the city as roads would likely be inherited with multiple patches and top-layer repairs. Wiseman said the patches, while aesthetically displeasing, don’t indicate base failure. Additionally, one-phase street construction would allow for better drainage because the top layer would align properly with gutters.
Wiseman also argued that another building option would spark development.
“That full strength has to be there, and it includes that extra inch and a half,” said Buddy Prisock, owner of Prisock Dirt and supporter of the amendment. “Without it there, water can’t get into the gutter line.”
Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn again questioned Wiseman’s lack of focus for his ward but didn’t offer relevant opposition against the amendment.
Perkins later opposed a measure to allow developers of Reed Place, a 22.64-acre lot on Reed Road, to build all 36 houses before going through infrastructure build out and certification.
City Engineer Edward Kemp explained the practical advantages to building straight through. But Perkins again said the board would be making special accommodations by allowing it.
Perkins and Vaughn were the only board members to vote against the measure, which is a three-part agreement among the developers, Regions Bank and the city that requires 150 percent of the project cost to remain in the bank to ensure infrastructure is built properly.
Zoning change
In a public hearing that drew hefty opposition from neighbors, aldermen unanimously passed Louise Page’s zoning appeal to add a trailer to her property.
Page, of 1641 Rockhill Road, initially requested a zoning change from residential to mobile home for 13 acres of property. That request was denied with a 4-3 vote by the Planning and Zoning Commission. After a suggestion from Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas, Page agreed to rezone 2.2 acres to accommodate her grandson’s trailer.
Neighboring property owners said that rezoning 13 acres to an R-6 (mobile home) would decrease their own property values and increase the likelihood of a trailer park developing on the property. Dumas estimated that, if the entire property was rezoned, it could accommodate 117 mobile homes.
“I don’t believe any of you (aldermen) up there would want 13 acres of trailer park next to your land,” Larry Bell said.
Bell contended that he and neighbors originally supported Page’s request of placing a single trailer on the property, with the condition of rezoning only the property occupied by the new trailer.
He said neighbors were caught off guard when they attended the planning and zoning meeting and saw the request to rezone 13 acres.
The property has gone through more than five rezonings from residential to trailer park since the late 1990s, and Page said she believed her property was zoned R-1 in error, one of two conditions to grant a zoning change. The other requires significant change to the land such as a new road.
Fund set up for city employee
Ward 3 Aldermen Eric Parker announced a fund has been established at Cadence Bank to help city employee Ken Honeycutt with medical costs following a hunting injury Nov. 7.
The account is named the Ken Honeycutt Fund. For more information, call the city building department at 324-4012.
Honeycutt was shot in the pelvis and has since undergone multiple surgeries at University Medical Center in Jackson.
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