Flowood aldermen approve conditional-use permit for assisted-living site; deny rezoning for mortuary on Vine Drive

The Flowood Mayor and Board of Aldermen on Jan. 16, 2018 approved a conditional-use permit to allow a senior assisted-living facility at the corner of Lakeland Drive and Cooper Road (tax parcel H11-9) and, in a separate vote, unanimously denied a rezoning request to change 122 Vine Drive (tax parcel I11-67-51) from R-1 to C-3 for use as a mortuary holding/transport facility.

Mike Prestage presented both land-use applications to the board. For the assisted-living permit, neighbors Charles Case and Michael Ellenberg spoke in support of the project so long as the permitted use did not vary from the submitted application. On a motion by Alderman Don Flynt, seconded by Alderman Kirk McDaniel, the board approved the conditional-use permit with unanimous support.

On the rezoning petition for 122 Vine Drive, Richard Green and Roy Anderson appeared on behalf of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church to oppose the rezoning, expressing concerns about the proposed mortuary use in the residential neighborhood. Applicant Jonathan W. Crain addressed the board in favor of the rezoning. After deliberation, the board voted to deny the rezoning; the motion to deny was moved by Alderman Dusty Rhoads, seconded by Alderman Deron Harmon, and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The conditional-use approval permits senior housing on the Lakeland/Cooper parcel under conditions specified in the application, while the denial of the rezoning preserves the residential zoning designation at 122 Vine Drive. Both decisions reflect the board’s weighing of the applicant proposals and the expressed concerns of nearby residents and church representatives.

What’s next: The conditional-use permit takes effect per the terms included in the approved application. The denied rezoning leaves the property at 122 Vine Drive zoned R-1; any future change would require a new application and public hearing.