Supplement to my letter

Albert H. Pettigrew
401 Inverness Ct.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Jackson County Planning Commission
3103 Magnolia Street,
Pascagoula, MS 39567-4199 Fax 228-769-3116

Dear Ms. Miller:

Re: Application of Gregory L. Williams & Martha Biddix, Owners, and Laguna, Landing Development, Inc., Developers, to request a zone change From R-1, R-lA, A-2 and C-1 to a Planned Unit Development (PUD), in the St. Andrews/Fountainbleau area; Hearing 6/29/05 1:00 P.M., Additional Submittal

This letter supplements my letter of June 28. The attached June 19, 2005, opinion from the Sun Herald is provided for consideration by the commission. It points out that people are attracted to the Mississippi Coast over other gulf coast areas because of unimpeded beach views and access to the beaches. It argues that South Mississippi?’s smartest move to protect a healthy growing economy is to protect those assets that make this place unique, assets that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.

The drive along the beach on Belle Fontaine Dr. is one of those assets that make our community unique and desirable. I would therefore invite the commissioners to drive down Belle Fontaine Dr. to see its beach view before making your decision. The developers will hide most of that view from the public behind a condominium if they are allowed to move Belle Fontaine Dr. as proposed. Also, I would invite the Commissioners to view the bulkhead on the beach built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the vicinity of the St. Andrews water tower. I believe it was designed with public recreation in mind and the cost exceeded $50,000. If Belle Fontaine Dr is moved so the developers can build south of the drive, the public will lose the benefit of its investment in the bulkhead.


By Al Pettigrew

Commission Approves PUD

According to today's Sun Herald reporter Karen Nelson, the commission approved the PUD. The paper notes that the developer agreed to have wildlife corridors, a park, not to disturb wetlands or marsh to a point that would require mitigation, and Greg Williams on behalf of St Andrews Water and Sewer said that required improvements to the system would not cause rate increases for existing customers. However, the wildlife corridor agreement was the only condition placed on the approval.

My information is that about 50 to 100 St. Andrews residents attended the hearing and very few spoke out in opposition. Local resident commissioners Edna Boone recused herself but Tom Quinn participated. It seems that approval was based on growth in our area that has already changed the character of the area.

Anybody opposing the approval has 10 days to appeal to the Board of Supervisors. Unless it is appealed, the Commissioners' recommendation is very likely to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

By Al Pettigrew

What's Next After Approval

It seems the developers will need to obtain any necessary variances from subdivision ordinances, and residents living close to the proposed variances will be given opportunity to comment.

Now that the developers have started a collaborative relationship with the community, they should involve our residents early on as they pursue implementation. The result will avoid expensive conflicts and make their development more profitable.

PS: Correction - Tom Quinn did not participate in the vote. He indicates his resignation from the commission was before the developers applied for approval of their PUD concept.


By Al Pettigrew