Updates On Parks, Zoning and Historic District Shape Aldermen Meeting

WATER VALLEY – A wide range of updates on downtown development, zoning policy and historic preservation came before Water Valley aldermen on Dec. 2 as commissions delivered detailed reports during the monthly meeting. Leading the list was an update from Water Valley Main Street Association Director Chris Goodwin, who reported that architectural work has started for the planned Pocket Park at the intersection of Wagner Street and North Main. The small, corner-lot park is expected to include a splash pad and other features, and design work will be funded with a $20,000 grant flowing through Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design.

“Last month, they produced three sets of conceptual drawings of the pocket park. The Main Street board is reviewing the drawings and will refine them to a single proposal to present to city aldermen,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin also announced new leadership for the 2025–2026 year. Caitlin Magnuson will serve as president of the Main Street Association, with Karen Turnage as vice president. Kimberly Ingram will serve as treasurer and Coulter Fussell as secretary.

The Water Valley Planning Commission delivered the next report. Planning Commissioner James McCormick described a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance that would require a sign to be placed on any property considered for rezoning.

“There is no provision for putting up signs, and lots of properties are going to be considered for rezoning. The town is growing and there are a lot of newcomers. We can’t rely on word-of-mouth and the grapevine to spread the word that a property is going to be considered for rezoning,” McCormick told aldermen.

“The sign would be posted on the property 10 days before the public hearing,” Planning Commissioner Meagan Backes added.

McCormick next outlined the process for a rezoning request. Once a sign is placed, the process begins. A public hearing is held, commissioners make a recommendation, and the Board of Aldermen makes the final decision.

“But neighbors and people who might be impacted by any proposed change need to know about it,” McCormick stressed.

Cinnamon Foster presented the next report on behalf of the Historical Preservation Commission. Foster serves as Water Valley’s Certified Local Government Coordinator, acting as liaison between the commission and aldermen. She summarized key actions from the commission’s recent meetings.

In October, longtime chair Robbie Fisher rotated off the commission. Fisher had served since the commission was created in 2019 to oversee design changes in the downtown historic district.
Foster reported commissioners appointed Leigh Ann Black as the new chair and Mickey Howley as vice chair. Both Black and Howley have also served since 2019.

Scott Marler, the newest appointee, was elected secretary; his term runs through October 2028.
Nicholas Trepanier and Emily Fransee also remain on the commission. Trepanier has served since 2019, and Fransee was appointed in January 2024.

Foster then reported that two certificates of appropriateness (COA) were approved: a law firm sign for Matt Dalton at 26 South Main Street, and a studio sign for Jackie Kellum at 28 South Main Street.

Another COA for Yalobusha County was approved for installation of a Duro-Last membrane roof on the former Calhoun Street jail building. A separate COA for FNB Water Valley at 400 North Main Street was approved for a new brick façade, signage, lighting, a flagpole and a two-bay drive-through.

Foster also said a COA initially submitted by Brett Crawford for improvements to a house at 709 North Main Street was withdrawn. A second COA submitted by Crawford — this one requesting demolition — was approved after the structural integrity of the historic home was compromised during work earlier this year.

“The property was looked at by (Fire Chief) Mark McGavock, (Commissioner) Mickey Howley and separate engineers. He just went in and took too much out,” Foster said. “We are going to lose that historic, two-story property on Main Street in our historic district.” Next, Robert Maze with the Water Valley Parks Commission provided an update. Maze began with good news, explaining that a donation will fund work to add a pickleball court at Crawford Sports Complex. The design will allow the existing tennis court to also function as a pickleball court.

“The nets will be removable, so you can still play tennis,” Maze explained.
Maze also reported increased activity at the Civic, the city’s recently renovated auditorium that reopened in July after a five-year closure. He said nonprofit organizations including Blackmur Library and Water Valley High School have used the facility.

“We also had a local business, Water Valley Cheer and Tumble, hold their fall/winter recital there. They will be coming back in the spring for their large recital, which will be 300-plus people,” Maze said. “We hosted a food insecurity talk with Compassion Ministries,” he added.

“They raised $50,000 as a result of that,” Mayor Tommy Reynolds said.

“So it is getting good use, from both the profit and nonprofit side,” Maze said.

The Civic also falls under the jurisdiction of the city’s parks commission.