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Board approves rezoning on Highway 471 to allow climate‑controlled storage
Summary
The Rankin County Board approved a rezoning of 4.2 acres on Mississippi Highway 471 from R‑E‑1 to C‑2 to allow a proposed climate‑controlled self‑storage development after hearing neighbor opposition and counsel’s review of zoning standards.
The Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 15 to rezone a 4.2‑acre parcel along Highway 471 from R‑E‑1 (residential) to C‑2 (transitional commercial), clearing the way for an applicant’s proposed climate‑controlled self‑storage project.
County staff opened a public hearing on the rezoning request from Kevin Johnson, who described plans for multiple metal buildings totaling roughly 25,000 square feet with on‑site stormwater retention and state‑approved access. Neighbors including JC Taylor and Joey Burrell told the board they opposed commercial development at that location, citing traffic, property‑maintenance concerns and potential vermin; Taylor said, "we are against commercial property there" and said he lives on Barksdale Road across the highway.
County counsel summarized the legal standards the board must apply for a rezoning: show an error in the original zoning classification or a change in the character of the area that justifies rezoning. Staff and counsel told the board there is evidence of transition along Highway 471 from low‑density residential to more commercial and service‑oriented uses, and they said C‑2 would limit certain more intense uses unless approved by conditional use or additional permitting.
After applicant remarks and questions about property cleanup, a supervisor moved to approve the rezoning; the motion was seconded and carried with a recorded nay. The board did not adopt specific site‑plan approvals at the meeting; staff said final site‑plan, access and appearance will be handled in subsequent administrative reviews if the zoning change is recorded.
Next steps noted by staff include the county’s site‑plan review and conditional‑use or design controls (if applicable) to address outdoor storage, appearance and ingress/egress details.
The board’s approval changes the property’s zoning but does not by itself authorize construction; any building permits, conditional‑use approvals for specific operations, or state permits (as required) must still be obtained.
