Plans for an almost 400-acre, Golden Triangle Development LINK-backed industrial park could again gain traction after Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens affirmed a previously issued zoning change for the combined properties.
In his May 16 order, Kitchens wrote Starkville aldermen “had a reasonable evidentiary basis” for its decision to rezone the properties for manufacturing and the change “was not arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory or illegal.”
The appellants — LMK LLC, Bettye Bell, Mary S. Bell, Margaret Copeland and Laura B. White — did not meet their burden “to show that the decision was invalid,” his order states.
Their attorney, Dewey Hembre, did not return multiple phone calls Wednesday to confirm whether they plan an appeal to a higher court.
If appealed, the process to issue bonds and develop the park are expected to be delayed until the legal process is exhausted.
Plans to develop the area near the intersection of Highways 82 and 389 were put on hold earlier this year when the appellants challenged the city’s January rezoning, which was only opposed by Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins.
The appellants own land adjacent to the area comprising the Stanley, Strange and Waldrop properties that constitute the proposed park and contested aldermen rezoned the area without a significant change occurring to legally constitute such a switch.
In previous city meetings, family members and representatives also voiced concerns about the uncertainty of developments that could locate in the new industrial park and how those developments would affect their properties.
“I’m pleased with the outcome, and I have high hopes for what the park will enable for the future of industrial development in Starkville and Oktibbeha County,” said Mayor Parker Wiseman. “Hopefully, this will enable the city to get about the work of building the park as quickly as possible.”
The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and Starkville Board of Aldermen previously pledged a combined $14 million in bonds toward the project, and LINK officials are expected to approach the two governing bodies about renewing their separate issuances soon.
Those funds are needed to acquire the properties, proceed with any mitigation efforts for cultural resources and the installation of infrastructure for the area.
LINK Chief Executive Officer Joe Max Higgins said he expects to present the request to city aldermen in July.
Higgins also said the LINK is working on a deal that could locate a 200,000-square-foot distribution center in the area but declined to disclose further details due to the nature of ongoing negotiations.
“We are pleased with Judge Kitchens’ ruling on the rezoning appeal,” Higgins said in a release. “This is another step forward in the ongoing development of the industrial park in Starkville. We expect to have final decisions on park progress as early as July and will move forward.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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From left, Jim Kitchens, Parker Wiseman and Joe Max Higgins
