RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A new zoning ordinance has raised major concerns for Rankin County homeowners.
After appealing the motion of a zoning ordinance along with 133 landowners, members of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association began the month of May hosting their first zoning meeting to help the public better understand what’s at stake.
Rankin County neighbors with manufactured homes risk making changes or adjustments to their property or place of residence due to the newly founded regulations. Residents must go before a planning commission for approval of any potential changes.
Some said they were unaware of the ordinance due to lack of publication.
“It’s ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous. I mean, this is a very important thing that everybody should know about. I mean, it’s been affecting the young people. It’s affecting old people, middle age people to fix it. Everybody and everybody should have a say about it. Everybody should know about it for this shouldn’t even been on the table,” said Madeline Strickland, a Rankin County resident.
With more than 300 people in attendance during Thursday’s meeting, a clear statement was made of their frustration and confusion. The majority petitioned for the ordinance to be rescinded.
“We’re hoping that it opens some eyes and some ears and some hearts. That’s what we’re hoping. We’re hoping we open some hearts tonight, because to me, you are absolutely messing with people’s land, their life, what they have, their future, for what they hope for their family,” said Jennifer Hall, executive director of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association.
During the meeting, Hall said only one supervisor voted against the ordinance. She hopes more meetings are conducted, and the next step is to get more people to sign the petition to continue fighting against the zoning ordinance.