Oktibbeha County supervisors finished a years-long comprehensive planning process last week by discussing how to implement several ordinances, but the board is not expected to adopt many of the proposed ordinances.
In December, supervisors unanimously approved a 61-page comprehensive plan that will help guide future growth in the next 20 years. The document, developed by the Oxford-based urban planning consultant Slaughter and Associates, only serves as a flexible guidepost in terms of land use and other planning goals.
Monday, firm leader Mike Slaughter held a final session on how the county can implement ordinances that stem from such a document, including zoning, subdivision and other rules.
Supervisors are unwilling to broach formal zoning ordinances — even the land-use plan has no enforcement requirements and can be amended at any time — because of the potential public backlash during an election year, but some showed a willingness to discuss subdivision regulations.
Subdivision rules would potentially introduce design standards — rules associated with streets, right-of-way areas, easements, lots and blocks — for new developments and ensure roadways, drainage, water and sewer pipes, lighting, signs and erosion control are kept to minimum standards.
Both board President Orlando Trainer and Vice President John Montgomery said they were in favor of such requirements but differed on how to accomplish the goals. Trainer, the board’s longest-tenured representative, said many Oktibbeha County subdivisions need serious attention in terms of its infrastructure, while Montgomery said he wants to avoid government interference by allowing developers’ covenants and guidance from the county engineer set minimum standards.
“When things are laid in our laps like this, it’s always after the fact. We’re not trying to burden property owners; these things are based on needs and conversations we’re having with folks out in the county,” Trainer said.
“I still think it’s a dangerous tool that could hurt and hinder the county if a future board (of supervisors) uses in the wrong way,” said Montgomery, who earlier this term voted against the comprehensive planning process. “If subdivision ordinances are set forth, you’ll probably see a lot of duplication with what the county engineer does and the covenants (set by developers).”
Montgomery, a full-time Starkville firefighter, previously said he would consider supporting life-safety rules, like sprinkler requirements and minimum building codes, for large-scale student housing complexes or multi-family apartments.
Similar calls for life-safety measures were made after a November Highlands Plantation deck collapse injured a number of students. The county has not yet discussed any building codes or other similar provisions since the incident.
Oktibbeha County, like many others across the state, opted out from state-mandated building codes in October.
The county does not have building codes on its books, a fact Trainer, the lone vote against the October opt-out decision, previously called worrisome in the light of future commercial housing growth in the outlying county areas near Mississippi State University.
Trainer also made a Monday pitch for a short-term moratorium on apartment developments in the county, but supervisors showed little interest in the move.
Slaughter’s plan is ambitious when compared to the county’s current financial state. Certain suggestions, like continued support of the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum and the county’s library system, are expected, but supervisors consider major projects — the construction of an estimated $7 million jail/sheriff’s complex and a new health department; and the paving of all county roads — as long-term initiatives hampered by funding abilities.
The plan also calls for the construction of a new county emergency operations center and public storm shelter. Officials have already identified a possible construction site near Rackley Oil Company’s location near Lynn Lane and are working to obtain grant funding for the project.
In all, the county paid Slaughter almost $45,000 for his work.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.