Florence board grants Lot 140 variance and adopts technical zoning corrections

The Florence mayor and board granted a dimensional variance for Lot 140 in the Southern Oaks, Part 2 subdivision and adopted an ordinance making technical corrections to the city’s zoning ordinances at their Nov. 4, 2025 meeting. Community Development Director Joel Sims presented written facts and findings at both public hearings; no members of the public spoke for or against either item.

The board voted to grant the variance after hearing Sims’ recommendation. Alderman Mason Herrin moved to grant the variance and Alderman Brent Sistrunk seconded; the motion carried by unanimous vote. Sims’ written findings and conclusions were incorporated into the record.

After the second public hearing on proposed technical amendments to the zoning ordinances, the board adopted an ordinance “to make technical corrections to the zoning ordinances of the city of Florence, Mississippi and for related purposes,” on the recommendation of City Attorney Bobby Lingold and Zoning Administrator Joel Sims. The roll call for that ordinance showed Alderman John Banks: Absent; Alderman Brian Grantham: Absent; Alderman Mason Herrin: Aye; Alderman Kyle Martin: Aye; Alderman Brent Sistrunk: Aye.

Why it matters: The corrections are presented as technical and were advanced by the city’s zoning staff; adopting them clarifies the official code text and preserves the board’s formal record of the variance decision. The board recorded that it considered and adopted written facts and findings prepared by Joel Sims at the public hearing.

What happens next: The ordinance and the written findings were incorporated into the meeting record and become part of the city’s zoning files; the public hearing records and the ordinance adoption close the local administrative process for these items.