Hattiesburg boards to weigh rezoning, school district variances
Hattiesburg officials met last week without final decisions, while upcoming meetings will consider several land-use requests, including rezoning for William Carey University and the Hattiesburg Public School District.
Recent meetings
Historic Conservation Commission (Aug. 12)
The commission held a public hearing on seven applications for Certificates of Appropriateness, covering changes to properties in local historic districts. Items included a porch addition, new construction, signage, door replacements, tree removal, an accessory structure, and porch screening. The agenda also included reports from the arborist, code enforcement, and coordinator. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are known.
City Council (Aug. 17 and Aug. 18)
The Aug. 17 meeting was procedural, with no substantive items listed. The council called the meeting to order, reviewed the agenda, held a citizens' forum, and recessed.
The Aug. 18 meeting considered several land-use items, including three zoning variances and two conditional use requests. The agenda also included a contract change order increase of $17,770 for the Grace Avenue Sidewalk Project, along with budget amendments and grant approvals. Minutes have not yet been published, so no votes are known.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Commission (Sept. 2)
The commission will hold a public hearing on seven petitions, including rezoning requests from:
- William Carey University (307 Tommy King Drive, from R-1B to R-3)
- Tripp Reed and Anderson Neighbors (900 Beverly Hills Road, from R-1B to R-3)
- Hattiesburg Public School District (4th Street, from R-3 to B-2)
- Mississippi Power Company (near 5012 Old Hwy 42, from B-5 to I-1)
Also on the agenda: a historic flood variance for 526 Forrest Street (Hattiesburg Public School District) and a text amendment to the Land Development Code.
Board of Adjustment (Sept. 2)
The board will hear four variance requests, including two from the Hattiesburg Public School District and two from property owners near Old Hwy 42. The school district requests include a reduction of an end cap landscape island from 120 square feet to 0 square feet at 174 WSF Tatum Drive, and an increase in front yard fence height from 4 feet to 10 feet on 4th Street. The other requests involve fence height and setback reductions near 5012 Old Hwy 42.
Coming Up
- **Planning Commission** – Sept. 2, public hearing on rezoning and variance requests.
- **Board of Adjustment** – Sept. 2, public hearing on four variance requests.
Both meetings are open to the public. Official agendas and minutes are available on the city's website.
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*This roundup is based on official agendas and minutes. No decisions have been reported for the recent meetings listed.*