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Biloxi council urges Planning Commission to decide on methadone clinic so council can consider it June 17
Summary
Biloxi City Council voted 5-2 to formally request the Planning Commission render a decision on a proposed methadone clinic so the council can consider the matter at its June 17 meeting if the commission acts that day.
The Biloxi City Council on Tuesday adopted a nonbinding motion asking the city’s Planning Commission to make a decision on a proposed methadone clinic so the council could address the application on June 17.
Councilmember Newman moved that the council “strongly desire for them to make a decision so that we can have it before us on June 17.” The motion was seconded and approved 5-2.
The request follows a Planning Commission public hearing scheduled for May 29. City staff told the council that the Planning Commission could either vote to approve, vote to deny, send the application to committee or table it pending more information. City staff said that if the commission decides at its meeting next week and forwards a decision, the council could meet the June 17 target date.
Councilmembers who said they expected to attend emphasized the council’s interest in having the matter before the full council for final action. Several councilmembers also noted uncertainty about what attorneys for both sides might request at the Planning Commission, and staff warned continuances are sometimes requested for incomplete information.
The council’s motion was framed as a strong request rather than a directive; the Planning Commission is an independent land-use body and not subject to a city-council order. The council’s resolution does not alter the Planning Commission’s procedures or legal authority.
The issue will return to the council only if the Planning Commission issues a decision and refers it to the council or if statutory appeal procedures are used.
