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Biloxi council unanimously approves rezoning in East Biloxi to spur redevelopment
Summary
The Biloxi City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive zoning map amendment for parts of East Biloxi to allow commercial/hospitality uses on properties facing Howard Avenue, aiming to encourage redevelopment of largely vacant lots since Hurricane Katrina.
Biloxi — The City Council unanimously approved a second-reading ordinance to amend the zoning map for a section of East Biloxi to permit commercial and hospitality uses along Howard Avenue and adjoining blocks.
Councilman Gray, who sponsored the amendment, said the change is aimed at revitalizing parcels that have remained mostly vacant since Hurricane Katrina. "This is something that we definitely need to help bring back the economy and to bring back some of the homes down on East," Gray said, urging colleagues to support the measure.
Planning staff and council members noted that flood regulations and rebuilding costs have made single-family residential redevelopment cost-prohibitive in parts of the area, and that a consistent commercial-business (CB) zoning for properties facing Howard will better reflect the neighborhood vision and existing waterfront and tourism-related uses. The council stated no members of the public attended the hearing in opposition; six attendees had signed in supporting the change.
What happens next: The rezoning becomes effective per standard ordinance implementation, aligning zoning with the city’s stated community and economic development goals for East Biloxi.
Vote: Council approved the second-reading ordinance unanimously.
