Zoning Notice Expanded With On-Site Signs
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WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday, April 21, to require public notice signs on properties being considered for rezoning or zoning variances.
The measure, presented by City Attorney Daniel Martin, was adopted unanimously following a brief discussion. Under the amendment, applicants seeking a zoning change or variance must install a sign on the subject property no fewer than 15 calendar days before the public hearing. The sign must be placed along the street frontage and be clearly visible from the right-of-way.
The ordinance specifies the sign must be 24 by 36 inches. Required information on the sign includes notice of the public hearing, the proposed rezoning or variance, the hearing date, the property address and a brief description of the request, including current and proposed zoning classifications.
In addition to the signage requirement, notice of the public hearing must be published in the newspaper at least 15 days in advance, posted in three public places and shared on the city’s Facebook page.
Applicants must also submit an affidavit at least five days before the hearing confirming the sign was posted in accordance with the requirement.
“This should include variances as well,” said Ward One Alderman Joe Magnuson prior to the vote that expanded the signage requirement for requests for variances. The board approved the amendment for both rezoning requests and variances, and it took effect immediately.
The signage requirement was first recommended by the Water Valley Planning Commission during the Dec. 2 board meeting, as commissioners Meagan Backes and James McCormick cited continued growth in the city and transparency as a reason for increased public notice. The request was tabled at that time to allow for legal review.
Martin presented the finalized amendment at the April 21 meeting. Previously, the only notice for a proposed zoning amendment or variance was a notice published in the North Mississippi Herald.
