2006 - Pearl River County

PEARL RIVER COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
167 Savannah-Millard Road, Suite B-1 - Poplarville, Mississippi 39470
Phone 601.403.2561 - Fax 601.403.2565
Harold Holmes, Director - hholmes@pearlrivercounty.net
February 16, 2007
Betty Stockstill, President
and Pearl River County Board of Supervisors
Post Office Box 569
Poplarville, Mississippi 39470
Re: 2006 Annual Report
Dear Board Members:
I am pleased to present the 2006 Annual Report for the Department of Planning and
Development. Pearl River County continues to be a leader in the State of Mississippi with
innovative ideas and vision of service to our residents. The Emergency Management and
Planning and Development Departments have been able to secure almost 3.6 million dollars in
Federal and State grants to improve Emergency Management and Planning and Development
services for Pearl River County residents. This was an exceptional year in receiving funding for
the County, much of which was attributed to Hurricane Katrina recovery.
As revealed by this report, a great deal has been accomplished in 2006. The Department staff
and I are committed to making a difference in Pearl River County for the citizens we serve. We
look forward to working together with the Board of Supervisors in 2007 as we continue to
provide a coordinated, comprehensive approach to planning for the future growth of the County.
Sincerely,
Harold L. Holmes, Director
Department of Planning and Development
HLH:smm
cc:
Adrian Lumpkin, County Administrator
Kirk R. Pichon, CBO, MCP, Building Division
Bobby Strahan, MCEM, Director, Emergency Management
Marlinda Guerra, Coordinator, E-911 Addressing
BUILDING DIVISION
Kirk Pichon, CBO, MCP
The Board of Supervisors, since 1998, as discussed and reviewed the possibility of
establishing a county-wide building and regulatory program. In August of 2005 Hurricane
Katrina brought this item to the forefront. The 2006 regular session of the Mississippi
Legislature enacted House Bill 1406, which was signed into law and required five coastal
counties and their municipalities to adopt certain nationally recognized building and
residential codes.
On April 3, 2006, the Board of Supervisors adopted three ordinances which established the
building codes, fees and contractor licensing requirements. They were titled Adoption of
Contractor Licensing in Conjunction with the Family of International Building Codes for
Pearl River County, Adoption of the Family of International Building Codes for Pearl River
County, and Adoption of Fees in Conjunction with the Family of International Building
Codes for Pearl River County.
The Building Division was established by the Board of Supervisors to be self-supporting by
user fees. No tax revenues from the County general fund are to be used. The Board of
Supervisors was able to obtain three grants to implement the Building Code Program.
The first grant, obtained in 2004 from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, along with
contributions from the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors and the Cities of Picayune
and Poplarville, was for preparation of a comprehensive and coordinated step-by-step guide
to implementing County-wide building and fire codes. Because of the work made possible by
this grant, Pearl River County was ready for subsequent grants post Katrina.
The second grant was a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant which paid for start-up costs and
implementation of the program for the first six months. Pearl River County was the first
County in FEMA Region IV to obtain this type of funding.
The third grant to assist with implementation was a Mississippi Development Authority
special CDBG grant to coastal counties and municipalities to pay for salaries, training and
travel for one (1) year for building personnel.
The first step after the adoption of the Building Code Program was the hiring of the Chief
Building Official. The County Administrator, Director of Planning and Development, Mayor
of Poplarville and the City Manager of Picayune, along with Mr. Bill Carrigee, consultant to
the County for building code implementation, interviewed candidates for the position of
Chief Building Official. On May 18th the committee recommended Mr. Kirk Pichon to the
Board of Supervisors to fill the position. The Board of Supervisors hired Mr. Pichon on May
22nd as Chief Building Official of the County.
Subsequent to his hiring, Mr. Pichon began to fill his staff needs, as outlined by the building
code implementation guidelines that were previously established. The Building Code
Division personnel consist of one Deputy Building Official, one Plans Examiner, four
Combination Building Inspectors, one Fire Marshal, one Code Enforcement Officer and three
Permit Clerks. All Building Division personnel, one year from their hire date, must obtain
the necessary certification for their job description through the International Building Code
Council, Inc.
In August and September, the County provided training for County contractors and the
newly hired building inspection officials on the implementation of the 2003 International
Family of Building Codes.
Conferences/Training/Seminars/Meetings
Several meetings of the Pearl River Homebuilders Association
Rotary Club of Poplarville
Building Officials Association of Mississippi
Gulf Coast Building Association
Southern Miss Business Assistance Center Code Enforcement Workshop: Managing Growth
& Development Issues in Your Community
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
MONTHLY PERMIT ACTIVITY - 2006
MONTH
HOUSES
MOBILE
UTILITY
REMODEL/ POWER
HOMES BUILDINGS COMMERCIAL ADDITION POLES
TOTAL
PERMITS
JANUARY
59
41
11
3
2
9
125
FEBRUARY
58
44
20
2
2
18
144
MARCH
90
52
19
4
8
18
191
APRIL
63
50
12
4
9
8
146
MAY
79
49
17
3
6
12
166
JUNE
94
65
21
7
4
13
204
JULY
348
93
53
27
23
17
561
TOTALS:
791
394
153
50
54
95
1537
MONTHLY PERMITS - JANUARY TO JULY 2006
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
JANUARY FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
COMMERCIAL
3
2
4
4
3
7
27
POWER POLES
9
18
18
8
12
13
17
REMODEL/ ADDITION
2
2
8
9
6
4
23
UTILITY BUILDINGS
11
20
19
12
17
21
53
MOBILE HOMES
41
44
52
50
49
65
93
HOUSES
59
58
90
63
79
94
348
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
MONTHLY PERMIT ACTIVITY - 2006
BUILDING
MOBILE HOME
MECHANICAL
PLUMBING
ELECTRICAL
SIGN
TOTAL
PERMITS
AUGUST
36
5
0
0
29
0
70
SEPTEMBER
21
41
0
2
77
0
141
OCTOBER
56
44
0
23
123
0
246
NOVEMBER
61
40
13
31
117
0
262
DECEMBER
52
27
33
31
99
1
243
TOTALS:
226
157
46
87
445
1
962
MONTH
MONTHLY PERMITS - AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2006
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
SIGN
0
0
0
0
1
MECHANICAL
0
0
0
13
33
PLUMBING
0
2
23
31
31
BUILDING
36
21
56
61
52
MOBILE HOME
5
41
44
40
27
ELECTRICAL
29
77
123
117
99
PEARL RIVER COUNTY
NUMBER OF BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
YEAR
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
NUMBER OF PERMITS
366
363
293
239
220
180
250
272
316
360
390
425
500
525
765
995
900
835
868
932
782
788
1537
Note
* (Since 7/18/98)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* # (Since 8/1/06)
* Includes permits for mobile homes
# Includes permits for electrical, mechanical, plumbing
19
84
19
85
19
86
19
87
19
88
19
89
19
90
19
91
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
NUMBER OF BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
E-911 ADDRESSING OFFICE
Marlinda Guerra – E-911 Coordinator
The E-911 Addressing Office issued 4752 address serial numbers for the period of
January 1 -December 31, 2006.
2593 serial numbers for new addresses were issued for structures not already in the 911
addressing database system.
1836 new addresses issued for people moving from inside the County.
757 new addresses issued for people moving from outside the County.
2421 existing addresses modified for change of residents.
1726 existing address changes for people moving from inside the County.
695 existing address changes for people moving from outside the County.
There were also 2325 new address applications taken, 3533 structure points collected,
and 131 roads mapped during this period.
Attached you will find a community list with the number and type of serial numbers
issued in each community for the period.
In addition, there were 112 Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) entries created and
entered for existing and new roads into the Intrado database. Also, there were 59
Address Location Identification (ALI) changes reported and made to the residential
records in the Intrado database.
E-911 Addressing
January - December 2006
700
JAN
600
FEB
MAR
500
APR
MAY
400
JUN
JUL
300
AUG
SEPT
200
OCT
NOV
100
DEC
0
SERIAL NUMBERS
APPLICATIONS
STRUCTURE POINTS
PEARL RIVER COUNTY
E-911 ADDRESSING OFFICE
JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2006
COMMUNITY
1-A Nicholson
1-B Palestine
1-C Walkiah
1-E Westchester
1-F Liberty
1-G Ozona
1-H Sycamore
1-J Ceasar
1-K Salem
1-L George Ford
1-M Burgetown
1-N West Union
1-P Pine Grove
1-R White Chapel
1-S Anchor Lake
2-A Mill Creek
2-B McNeill
2-C Sones Chapel
2-E Larow
2-F Henleyfield
2-G Derby
2-H Millard
2-J Harts Chapel
3-A Crossroads
3-B Whitesand
3-C Fords Creek
3-E Spring Hill
3-F Oak Hill
3-H Byrd Line
4-A Orvisburg
4-B Gumpond
4-C Hillsdale
4-E Leetown
5-A Savannah
5-B Steep Hollow
5-C Barth
5-E Restertown
5-F Progress
A-A City of Picayune
B-B City of Poplarville
TOTALS
N/I
N/O
E/I
E/O
TOTAL
175
25
31
2
42
67
55
205
53
17
32
60
33
34
115
91
92
15
44
44
50
9
26
45
68
34
28
20
7
12
33
33
9
26
20
31
24
42
33
54
33
4
16
0
13
20
12
54
13
3
4
22
24
7
19
28
29
4
6
12
11
1
1
11
21
15
6
2
2
3
11
5
1
7
3
10
8
15
29
10
71
13
11
34
43
41
27
83
19
12
16
31
11
22
47
45
48
14
16
21
27
5
9
27
59
16
15
8
5
9
16
17
7
11
2
15
20
34
667
132
28
7
3
5
17
29
8
24
4
4
12
17
5
7
27
20
21
2
5
10
11
2
4
9
20
4
5
4
2
9
3
1
8
1
8
6
22
265
56
307
49
61
41
115
157
102
366
89
36
64
130
73
70
208
184
190
35
71
87
99
17
40
92
168
69
54
34
14
26
69
58
18
52
26
64
58
113
994
252
1836
495
1726
695
4752
* N = New Address or Structure: E = Existing Address or Structure
** I = Moving From Inside the C
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Bobby Strahan, MCEM
Director
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
GRANT ACTIVITIES
STATUS OF CURRENT GRANT PROGRAMS:
Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) – ($23,861.60) – Awarded and
Spent
EMA Office Equipment Grant – ($10,000.00) – Awarded and Spent
Hazard Mitigation Grant (Window Shelters at EOC) – ($8,31.00) – Awarded, awaiting
go-ahead for quotes from MEMA.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Generators – ($1,261,750.00) – Awarded first fifteen (15) grants
applied for 30 total, awaiting go-ahead for bid from MEMA.
Eight School Siren Grants – ($127,761.40) – Awarded, awaiting go-ahead for bid from
MEMA
HOMELAND SECURITY
Interoperability Grant- County – ($36,470.00)
Fire Act Grant – North Central VFD – ($155,000.00)
Fire Act Grant – Amackertown VFD – ($155,000.00)
Fire Act Grant – Crossroads VFD – ($155,000.00)
Generator Grant – Six Shelter Generators – ($120,000.00)
Total Grants Awarded for 2006
$2,053,653.00
ACTIVITY REPORT
Fire Safety Trailer
City of Picayune
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
East Side Elementary School
Picayune Police Department
Kiddy Corner Day Care
Street Fair
Voc-Tech School
Roseland Park Elementary
Nicholson Elementary
Carriere
•
•
•
Child Care Development
Elementary School
Little Ambassadors Day Care Center
McNeill
•
•
Lower Elementary
Forth of July Celebration
Poplarville
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
Head Start School
Blueberry Jubilee Festival
Farm Day at the Fair Grounds
Boy Scouts
Strahan’s Karate Studio
NASA Stennis Space Center and Airport
•
•
Governmental day
Hurricane Fair
Church
•
•
•
•
Union Baptist Academy School
Pine Grove Baptist Vacation Bible School
Plain View Baptist Christian Academy
First Baptist Church of Poplarville
Total Children to go through the Safety Trailer since February 2002 is 28,288
Homeland Security Trailer
Homeland Security Trailer
The Homeland Security Trailer was purchased in April 2004, and on August 29, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina made it’s way through Pearl River County. On September 2, it was
brought to the EOC to be used as a communications back-up to the Central Dispatch to
help with the many calls coming in to Central Dispatch and radio traffic. It was very
helpful to our communications and remained up and running with the generator on board
for seventeen (17) days, twenty-four (24) hours a day. It was shut down for ten (10)
minutes to check the oil and had to add some. The trailer has proven its need for the
County and back-up communications.
Achievements
•
•
•
•
•
•
Completed and passed the NIMMS required Incident Command Classes ICS-10,
ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700 and IS-800, this is a requirement for writing Federal
grants.
Invited to testify before Congress, House Sub-Committee on Hurricane Katrina
Invited to speak at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida
Elected Vice-President of Mississippi Civil Defense Emergency Mangers
Association (MCDEMA)
Received Mississippi Emergency Management “Director Accommodation
Award”
Selected by the MCDEMA Board of Directors to a team of six (6) EMA
Directors to represent the Association in Washington, DC to speak to the
Mississippi Delegation on EMPG funding, EOC funding, concerns with NOAA,
and FEMA.
PLANNING DIVISION
GRANT ACTIVITIES
STATUS OF CURRENT GRANT PROGRAMS:
FEMA Map Modernization (EMA-2004-CA-5027) – ($600,000) FEMA’s Map
Modernization Plan is to automate the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood
map production process more effectively using Geographic Information System (GIS) to
help FEMA meet its goal of reducing the amount of time traditionally associated with the
updating of flood maps. GIS allows for easier computer model setup, data processing
tasks, and actual data output, moving toward the goal of enhancing flood hazard mapping
and Flood Insurance Study products.
Pearl River County’s Cooperative Technical Partnership status gives the County direct
contact with FEMA for this initiative, rather than being limited to using MEMA as a
conduit. Pearl River County is the only county in Mississippi to be working with FEMA
on Map Modernization. The Department began this project in 2004 and due to Hurricane
Katrina and other commitments by the consultants the County requested a time extension
to the completion date of the project.
In January 2006, the County received the requested extension to complete the project by
June 30, 2007. In 2006, the consultants completed the quality assurance of the hydraulic
analyses, along with the independent quality assurance/quality control of the hydraulic
analysis. The consultants also completed the floodplain mapping, along with the quality
assurance of the floodplain mapping. Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM)
production was completed county-wide in 2006 of the revised and non-revised areas, and
the DFIRM graphic and data base specifications were applied to all panels. The
primarily DFIRM and flood insurance report were prepared and sent to FEMA for review
prior to the post preliminary processing. At the end of 2006, ninety-four (94%) percent
of the project work was completed with nine-three (93%) percent of the FEMA funds
expended.
US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration – Strategic Plan
Update Grant - ($30,000) This grant was awarded to the Board of Supervisors in June,
2006, for a period of one year, to be administered by Partners for Pearl River County. In
December the County Administrator notified the Planning Department that routine
quarterly reporting was not being done and administration of the grant was turned over to
this office.
Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation - Building Code Implementation Plan – ($17,000)
In 2004 the Foundation committed $7,500, along with contributions from the Pearl River
County Board of Supervisors and the Cities of Picayune and Poplarville, for preparation
of a comprehensive and coordinated step-by-step guide to implementing County-wide
building and fire codes, with which to safeguard lives and minimize damage to real
property. A contract was awarded to Carrigee Consulting to work with the Department to
implement the International Building Codes. The Department finalized the
implementation and the information generated assisted the Board of Supervisors in
obtaining additional funding for implementation of the 2003 International Building Code
standards within the County and the establishment and operation of the Building Code
Division of the Department of Planning and Development. The Foundation was billed
$6,348.00, the City of Picayune $846.00, and the City of Poplarville $423.00 by the
Planning Department on September 13, 2006, for this service, as well as for the cost of
Building Code Manuals from the International Code Council. Payment has been received
by the Foundation and the City of Picayune.
Three building code ordinances were adopted titled Adoption of Contractor Licensing in
Conjunction with the Family of International Building Codes for Pearl River County,
Adoption of the Family of International Building Codes for Pearl River County, and
Adoption of Fees in Conjunction with the Family of International Building Codes for
Pearl River County. Negotiations were undertaken between the County and the City of
Picayune on an interlocal agreement for building code enforcement. The intention was to
equitably share the resulting revenue and reduce enforcement expenses by not duplicating
efforts between the two entities. The City of Picayune declined to participate. A similar
interlocal agreement was presented to the City of Poplarville for negotiation and they also
have not indicated they wish to participate.
FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant - Acquisition of Repetitive Flood Loss Property at
828 Idlewild, Picayune – ($198,956) This grant, awarded in 2004, for the acquisition and
demolition of a residential repetitive flood loss property. The grant was closed in 2006,
after the City of Picayune demolished the house in March. The property is now owned by
the City of Picayune and will remain greenspace in perpetuity.
FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant - Acquisition of Repetitive Flood Loss Property at
133 George Ford Road, Carriere – ($145,570) This grant, awarded in September 2005,
allowed for the purchase of a ten acre parcel in Carriere. The house and outbuildings have
been demolished and restrictive covenants were filed in the Chancery Clerk’s office with
the deed, insuring that the 10 acre parcel will remain permanent greenspace. The grant
was closed in July 2006
FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant - Acquisition of Repetitive Flood Loss Property at
400 North Abrams, Picayune – ($97,497) Awarded in October 2005, for purchase and
demolition of this repetitive flood property, this grant was closed in December 2006, after
the homeowners decided to withdraw from the program. They could not find affordable
replacement housing for the 75% value that would be paid to them under the grant, and
could sell the house to another buyer for 100% of market value. The grant paid for 75%
of the survey and appraisal of the house, with the homeowners paying the 25% match.
2006 GRANT AWARDS:
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Establishment and Operation of the Pearl
River County Building Division – ($351,190) This grant has provided funds to
implement the 2003 International Building Code standards within the County and to
establish and operate the Pearl River County Building Code Division of the Department
of Planning and Development. The grant award was made in May 2006 in the amount of
$304,768, and an additional award of $46,422 was granted in September to allow for the
hiring of a Fire Marshall and Code Enforcement Officer, two additional vehicles, vehicle
operation costs, contractual services, code books, office supplies, uniforms, badges,
computers, digital cameras and furniture. This office will recover 5% of amount billed for
administrative costs. The grant has also helped train local builders and contractors on the
new standards. In May 2006, a Chief Building Official was hired by the County, most
code enforcement officials and other staff members of the Building Division began
working in July, and the Building Codes went into effect August 1, 2006. The salaries of
most staff members, start up costs, and regular operating costs through December 2006
have been invoiced monthly to this grant, and operating expenses will be reimbursed
through January 31, 2007.
MDA Building Code Salary Grant – ($610,782) CDBG R101-06-014-1 This grant will
reimburse Pearl River County for the expense of Building Division staff salaries, fringe
benefits, travel and training for the year 2007.
MDA Multi-jurisdictional Land Use Planning Grant - ($300,000) Pearl River County
and the Cities of Picayune and Poplarville received this grant to develop a
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Preliminary Smart Growth Ordinance, the first of
seven components of the Comprehensive Planning Process. In November 2006 the
Department hosted two public meetings, one for key stakeholders and decision makers
and the other for the general public, enjoying broad public community support. Residents
and community leaders recognize the need to create a framework for responsible growth
management to ensure that the County has the supporting infrastructure, policies, public
and private facilities, and smart growth planning in place to accommodate the rapid
migration of new residents, while preserving the rural character of our community. Since
the November meetings, Planning Department staff have met with numerous groups in
the County to explain the Smart Growth Planning process and obtain citizens vision for
the future of the County.
FEMA Repetitive Flood Claims Grant - Acquisition of Repetitive Flood Loss Property
(RFC-PJ-04-MS-2006-004) – ($146,213) The Office of Planning and Development
received a grant for the purchase and demolition of the property at 117 Westchester
Drive, Picayune. This grant reimburses 100% of the costs to the County plus a 5%
management cost. An appraisal was obtained and the required survey has been ordered.
Acquisition of the property by the County is scheduled for the first quarter of 2007.
National Emergency Disaster Grant – ($89,854) The Planning Department employed 5
employees under this grant from the US Department of Labor. Two planners, an
administrative assistant to the Director and two permit clerks were paid salaries directly
by the grant administrator, The CPI Group, Inc.
EPA/Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)-319 Funding –
($40,000) The County’s abundant water resources are faced with two threats: fecal
coliform bacteria, primarily from failing septic systems, and sediment from sivilcultural
activities and land clearing for development; both of which, without proper planning, will
continue to degrade water quality as the County grows. In this regard, MDEQ awarded
the County a grant focusing on the development of a Stormwater Management Plan for
use throughout the County, and preparation of a draft ordinance to support the plan’s
implementation. As part of the process, the County is conducting an education program
for public officials, developers, and citizens about the importance of stormwater
management. Two public forums were held in 2006 in partnership with the Land Trust
for the Mississippi Coastal Plain; the first on October 24 at Pearl River Community
College in Poplarville and the second on November 16 at the Senior Citizens Center in
Picayune. Another component of the grant, representing the main portion of the County’s
40% match was to be a 0% Stormwater Runoff Demonstration Project at the Wildwood
Subdivision Community Center. After the grant was awarded to the County, the
developer of Wildwood withdrew his agreement to fund the demonstration project.
Because of this, and the significant creation of the Pearl River County Utility Authority
and the Authority’s enactment of countywide stormwater regulations, exact terms and
goals of the grant will be renegotiated with MDEQ in 2007.
Total Grants Awarded for 2006
$1,538,039
GRANT APPLICATIONS PENDING:
Mobile Corps of Engineers 592 Grant Program for Rural Utility Consolidation – The
Office of Planning and Development prepared a grant application for $804,000 to the
Corps’ 592 Grant Program to design a master plan to facilitate the implementation of a
County-wide utility district. The proposed design will define service areas for collection
and treatment of wastewater, identify potable water treatment and distribution locations,
and ensure adequate fire protection based on needs analyses. The Project Cooperative
Agreement has been completed between the County and the Mobile Corps and was
forwarded January 13, 2005, to their Washington DC offices for final review. This grant
program has been moved to the Vicksburg office of the Corps but federal funding for FY
2006 has not been allocated to fund the agreement.
MDA Comprehensive Smart Growth Planning Initiative Grant – ($491,300)
The
Mississippi Development Authority awarded $300,000 in grant funding to the County in
August 2006, to develop a Multi-jurisdictional Land Use Plan. Applications are pending
for funding to develop the remaining Smart Growth planning elements, including
Economic Development, Housing, Transportation, Public Facilities and Infrastructure,
Community Character and Image, and Poplarville Downtown Redevelopment
US Department of the Interior Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) – Creation of
the Steep Hollow History Museum – ($100,000) In December 2006, the Steep Hollow
Baptist Church moved into a new facility, vacating their former location, the old Steep
Hollow School which began educating children in Pearl River County in 1900. Members
of the congregation were concerned about the fate of the historic structure and contacted
the Planning Department for help. This grant funding will allow the County and the Land
Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain to assist in establishing a non-profit foundation to
manage the property and develop restoration, management and public use plans for a
history museum and community center.
US Department of the Interior Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) – Property
Acquisition on West Boley Creek for Low Impact Water Park – ($400,000) Working
with the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain’s West Boley Creek Watershed
Partnership Initiative, the Department identified property on the West Boley Creek at
Highway 43 North that is being illegally accessed by the public and highly degraded as a
result of unmanaged public use. Funding from this grant will allow the County to
purchase the property and begin the process of restoration and creation of a Wetland
Conservation Park to provide public access to this important waterway. This project will
positively influence water quality in a rapidly developing watershed through a highly
visible project demonstrating conservation and restoration techniques to public officials
and the general public and demonstrate that conservation and restoration do not preclude
thoughtful public use.
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources/Coastal Resource Management Program
Grant for Brochure Printing – ($3,686) This grant will provide funds to allow the
Planning Department to reprint two key brochures used by the Department for Smart
Growth Planning and public education: Twice Green – A Resource Guide for Land
Development and Preserving a Sense of Place – Pearl River County Smart Growth
Master Plan.
PLANNING INITIATIVES
FEMA Emergency Support Function (ESF-14) Long Term Recovery – Under the ESF-14
Program, FEMA provided planning consultants to all coastal counties, including Pearl
River County, to work with the County to create a long-term recovery plan. In
November 2005, John Hart from URS Corp. was assigned the leading planner position in
Pearl River County; he was assisted by Ann Patton and Jerry Olson. The consultants
provided much needed help to the office.
The consultants worked with staff and the Board of Supervisors to establish the Pearl
River County Task Force on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. Because of previous
planning initiatives by the County, no long-term plan was required. ESF-14 planners
assisted the department with organization of the on-going planning activities, assisting
with review, the implementation process and developing various Federal funding sources
for implementation. ESF-14 personnel met with the Board of Supervisors, briefing them
on economic development activities, proposed strategies for economic development,
transportation issues and Federal funding opportunities. ESF-14 personnel produced a
report for the County entitled “Population and Housing Analysis Pearl River County for
2006”. The ESF-14 staff also coordinated County activities with the FEMA disaster field
office in Biloxi, MS.
In mid-January, FEMA was re-assigning consultants to replace the original consultants
assigned to the County, to allow them to return to their permanent jobs. The department
was working with the ESF-14 staff to provide long-term Planning Department personnel
to Pearl River County to assist with long-term recovery planning.
The disaster field office was notified in late January that FEMA was changing course and
the ESF-14 program was to be cut back and ESF-14 staff was to be reduced. The one
long-term planner hired for one (1) year to assist Pearl River County under the program
was reassigned by FEMA to the FEMA Disaster Field Office in Biloxi and never worked
to assist Pearl River County in its long-term recovery planning. By the end of February,
the program had ceased, leaving projects initiated by the ESF-14 program to be carried
on only by the Department personnel.
Pearl River County Task Force on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal – Planning
Department staff provided staff support for the Task Force and attended all meetings.
When an open house held for the general public by the Task Force generated the
information that the six coastal counties needed a concise hurricane evacuation brochure,
staff members of the Planning and Emergency Management Departments worked
together to write the brochure, obtain pro bono graphic design assistance, raise $17,000
from private industry for the printing expense and arranged for printing and distribution
of 250,000 copies of the brochure to the six coastal counties.
Coastal Resource Management Plan (CRMP) – The CRMP, funded through a Coastal
Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) grant, is a program housed in the Department of
Marine Resources in Biloxi, whose mission is essentially to provide tools and resources
to communities in the 6 coastal counties that help promote a healthy economy while
protecting environmental resources. In 2006, Planning staff attended the CRMP bimonthly meetings and the annual conference in Biloxi in May, where the Director made a
presentation on Pearl River County Smart Growth.
Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain: The Department has worked closely with
the Land Trust through the County’s Growing Greener Initiative and the Land Trust’s
Building Watershed Partnerships Initiative. Through co-sponsorship of the watershed
education forums with the Land Trust, the property parcel on West Boley Creek at
Highway 43 was identified as being in need of conservation and the Land Trust assisted
the Planning Department in preparing the grant application that is pending for acquisition
of the property. The Land Trust holds a conservation easement on 332 acres of common
wooded areas and park like open space in Wildwood Subdivision, the County’s first
Conservation subdivision. The Department’s Director and one of the Department’s
planners serve on the Land Trust’s Board of Directors.
Association of Floodplain Managers of Mississippi (AFMM) – The Director of Planning
and Development attended the AFMM spring conference held in Natchez, MS, April 1921. The spring conference was a joint meeting with the Louisiana Floodplain Managers
Association. The Director attended the AFMM fall meeting, October 18-20 in Choctaw,
MS. Both conferences dealt with assisting local officials in resolving floodplain
management problems, along with networking with FEMA and MEMA officials,
consultants and other local regulatory floodplain management officials.
Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) – Mr. Holmes continued to serve his
third year on the ASFPM Board of Directors as a representative of District 3, serving
ASFPM chapters in FEMA Regions 4 and 6. In 2006, the ASFPM held its annual
conference June 11-16 in Albuquerque, NM. At the national conference, Mr. Holmes
presented a report entitled “Integrating Planning and Program Implementation Initiative
in Pearl River County, Mississippi, Pre and Post Katrina”. During 2006, Mr. Holmes
worked with floodplain managers in Kentucky and Georgia to create state chapters of
ASFPM.
Landfill Methane – Waste Management Incorporated owns and operates Central Landfill
which is permitted by the County in addition to other state and federal agencies. The
landfill is on Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) candidate list
for landfill methane use. As landfill contents decompose, methane and carbon dioxide
gas are produced. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that when
landfill gasses reach a certain level that they are captured and burned. The County would
like the gas to be used for its heat or to indirectly produce electricity. A meeting was
held to discuss this potential use on December 8th with MDEQ’s representative for the
Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), several County Supervisors, and the
Department of Planning and Development staff. On December 18th the County
Supervisors subsequently voted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPA’s
LMOP office. The EPA is expected to accept and sign the agreement in early 2007. The
County intends to promote the use of methane to attract business, provide inexpensive
energy, demonstrate innovative thinking in the county, and provide environmental
benefits.
Mississippi National Heritage Area: One of the Department’s planners has been asked to
participate on the Heritage Board and the Proposal Selection Committee as a
Commissioner.
Strategic Plan Environmental Leadership Initiative –The Planning Department gave a
presentation at the December 4, 2006 Partners for Pearl River County Leadership
Seminar.
GIS Technical Committee – The GIS (Geographic Information System) technical
committee has largely been inactive since hurricane Katrina. One meeting was held late
in 2006 to begin reorganizing.
Conferences/Training/Seminars/Meetings
PRC Task Force
United Governmental Council
Coastal Development Strategies Conference
Green Building Expo
Steering Committee for West Boley Watershed
West Boley Creek public meetings
South Central Manufactured Housing Show
Strategic Plan Initiative public participation meeting
Storm Resistant Green Building Workshop & Tradeshow
Conservation Easements Workshop
Solid Waste Advisory Council
Building Codes Training for Plumbing
Building Codes Training for Mechanical
Building Codes Training for Electrical
Building Codes Training for Building
Picayune City Council
Poplarville Board of Aldermen
Center Water Association
Pearl River Central Water Association
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Pearl River County Utility Authority
Pearl River County Smart Growth Plan
Introduction to ArcGIS I
Introduction to ArcGIS II
Introduction to Programming ArcObjects with VBA
Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Options for the Gulf Coast Region
Pearl River County GIS Technical Committee
Managing Floodplain Development through the NFIP
SUBDIVISION ACTIVITY
In 2006, the department reviewed one hundred eleven (111) applications for subdivision
review. These consisted of preliminary plats and final plats; re-subdivision of existing
lots in existing subdivisions; request for new easements of access; subdivision of a parcel
on existing easement; abandonment of roads; and the legalization of parcels and
easements after they has been recorded without the required approval.
In March 2006, Pearl River County Landowners Association, et al vs. Board of
Supervisors lawsuit over the Subdivision Regulations of 2005, the Court ordered that the
appellants have filed a Motion for Summary Reversal of the Subdivision Regulations,
2005, enacted by the Board of Supervisors on July 11, 2005, and the Board of
Supervisors has conceded that no proper notice of public hearing was published in a
newspaper having general circulation in this county at least fifteen days prior to the
public hearing, and thus the amendments to the subdivision regulations known as the
Subdivision Regulations, 2005, are void and of no effect.
The judgment also stated that of this Court the appellants’ Motion for Summary Reversal
was granted, and the Subdivision Regulations, 2005 were hereby declared to be void and
of no effect. The Subdivision Regulations, 1998 would remain in full force and effect.
After the dismissal of the lawsuit, a few minor modifications were to be made and the
attorney for the County would have to schedule a new public hearing.
Since the dismissal of the lawsuit, the County has come under new regulation from the
State which established a new Utility Authority. Pearl River County Utility Authority
(PRCUA), was formed with the responsibility to regulate all potable water, wastewater
and stormwater in the two (2) cities and unincorporated areas. In October, PRCUA
finalized its new rules and regulations under which it will operate. The department
continues to work with the PRCUA in the review process of subdivisions and melding the
PRCUA and County’s requirements into a new set of subdivision regulations.
Since October, this office and the PRCUA have met jointly with new subdivision
applicants to provide one-stop informational meetings to the applicants.
2006 SUBDIVISIONS FILED WITH CHANCERY OFFICE
NAME
Fox Run @
Wildwood
Rolling Forest
Red Hills Est. Ph.
II
Round Rock Ph II
Bay Meadows @
Wildwood
Cane Bend @
Wildwood
Serenity
Round Rock Ph.
III
Hickory Creek
North Hill Ph. IV
Round Rock Ph.
IV
Red Hill Est. Ph.
III
Juniper Village
DATE
FILED
CONTACT
DEVELOPER
RECORDATION
FILM NO.
LOCATION
NO. OF
LOTS
P&D
FILE NO.
Stuart Company
B-32 & B-33
County
70
106s001
2/6/06
Paul Reese
Capital
Investments
Capital Investments
B-35 & B-36
County
6
105s011
3/27/06
3/29/06
Donald Crawford
Paul Reese
DC Construction
Stuart Company
B-36
B-37 & B-38
County
County
5
61
106s006
105s023
4/26/06
Paul Reese
Stuart Company
B-39,B-40,B-41
County
81
106s012
5/4/06
Paul Reese
B-42 & B-43
County
49
106s013
6/5/06
David Allison
Stuart Company
Capitol Investments,
LLC
B-44 & B-45
County
61
106s011
7/5/06
7/11/06
7/18/06
Paul Reese
Alvin E. Swanner
Mark Summers
Stuart Company
Alvin E. Swanner
Legacy Ventures, LLC
B-46 & B-47
B-48 & B-49
B-50 & 51
County
County
County
54
12
31
105s024
105s001
106s014
8/11/06
Stuart Company
B-52 & 53
County
54
106s016
9/11/06
Paul Reese
Douglas
Crawford
B-55
County
24
106s018
9/25/06
Mike Brown
D.C. Construction
Brown & Haight
Development, LLC
B-54
County
44
106s028
1/23/06
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUBDIVISIONS FILED IN 2006:
13
TOTAL NUMBER OF LOTS CREATED IN 2006:
552
MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSED NAME
Lost Lake
La Renaissance
OWNER
Tyron E. Gill
Eric Vynckier
LOCATION
Hwy 53 Poplarville
Tom Chance Rd. Poplarville
Reid Rushing Rural - Phase II
Governor’s Place
Knoll Creek at Wildwood
Kacin’s Subdivision
Tate Switch at Wildwood
Covey Run at Wildwood
Fox Bend at Wildwood
Deer Field at Wildwood
Red Hills - Phases III and IV
Hunter’s Trace
Green Acres
Olde River Trace
Caesar Oaks
Big Sky
Old Mill Landing
The Grove at Wildwood
Deerwood Park at Wildwood
Fox Meadow at Wildwood
Park Ridge at Wildwood
Hunter’s Cove at Wildwood
Black Hawk
The Trace
Reid Rushing
David Allison
Stuart Co.
Restertown Rd.
Hwy 11 Poplarville
Hwy 11
Jackson Landing Rd.
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Jackson Landing Rd. Picayune
Moller Rd.
Hershell Mitchell Rd.
Hwy 43 N
Ceasar Rd.
Old Hwy 11
Old Kiln Rd.
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 11
Hwy 43 N
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Donald Crawford
Stuart Co.
Jamie Boe
J.F. Smith Testamentary
Gerald Barber
Stuart Co.
Picayune Holding, LLC
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Stuart Co.
Akarsh Kolaprath
G9 Corp.
NO. OF LOTS
12
1700 Total
933 Single Family
767 Multi-Family
22
71
65
15
19
142
79
61
87
119
17
19
50
400
200
65
66
91
93
85
25
49
PROPOSED NAME
High Pointe
Breckenbridge
Big Branch
Gill’s Rock Ranch
OWNER
Stuart Co.
G9 Corp.
G9 Corp.
G9 Corp.
Pine Hill
Unnamed Subdivision
Black Jack Ridge @ Wolf River
The Hills
Magnolia Meadows - Phase II
Unnamed Subdivision
Windy Hill Estates
Azalea Estates
Living Waters
Unnamed Subdivision
B & S Subdivision
Tranquility Estates
David Allison
Leon Lowe & Sons
Darrin Harris
Mike Edgars
Gary Jackson
Ronnie Sanford
Wayne Wiggins
Eddie Creel
John Lumbardino
Warren Campagna
Tommy Breland
William Craig Sinden
TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPOSED SUBDIVISIONS:
LOCATION
Anchor Lake Rd.
Hwy 43 North
Donley Burkes Rd.
Rock Ranch Rd. & Hwy 43 N (555.66
acres)
Hwy 11
East of I-59
Mill Creek Rd.
McCastile Rd.
ML King Dr. Poplarville
Big Spring Rd. (40 acres)
Osborne Moody Rd. & Hwy 26
McSwain Rd. (5.38 acres)
119 Living Water Dr. (10 acres)
Hwy 11 N. (55 Acres)
Hwy 53 & Restertown Rd. (48.3 acres)
Ervin Ladner Rd. (35 acres)
40
NO. OF LOTS
400
148
37
?
79
31
208
?
10
4
98
6
12-15
140+
108
25
TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW PROPOSED LOTS :
4,861
REVENUE
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
REVENUE - 2006
MONTH
SUBDIVISION SUBDIVISION
FEES
NOTEBOOKS
PERMITS
OTHER FEES
TOTAL
REVENUE
JAN
$4,540
$3,020
$7,560
FEB
$4,930
$2,575
$7,505
MAR
$7,000
$3,040
$72
APR
$5,395
$6,620
$12
$50
$12,077
MAY
$6,135
$2,700
$36
$3
$8,874
JUN
$7,730
$3,775
$48
$30
$11,583
JUL
$24,208
$5,375
$24
$87
$29,694
AUG
$12,036
$54
$12,090
SEP
$11,633
$6,295
OCT
$39,315
$17,500
$56,815
NOV
$38,238
$545
$38,783
DEC
$32,727
TOTAL
$10,112
$12
$17,940
$32,727
$193,885
$51,445
$204
$225
$245,759
REVENUE - 2006
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$SUBDIVISION NOTEBOOKS
OTHER FEES
JAN
FEB
MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV
$72
$12
$36
$48
$24
$50
$3
$30
$87
DEC
$12
$54
SUBDIVISION FEES
$3,02 $2,57 $3,04 $6,62 $2,70 $3,77 $5,37
$6,29 $17,5 $545
PERMITS
$4,54 $4,93 $7,00 $5,39 $6,13 $7,73 $24,2 $12,0 $11,6 $39,3 $38,2 $32,7