Mark Ballard

The board discussed various municipal business items, including the adoption of an ordinance to control the sale of synthetic kratom, property cleanliness evaluations, and requests for special exceptions regarding accessory dwelling units and use exceptions for commercial operations. The board also addressed the adoption of the City of Starkville Parks Master Plan, the execution of grant agreements for wastewater infrastructure, the advertisement of qualifications for professional legal services, and the approval of a general obligation public improvement bond. Furthermore, the meeting covered departmental requests for equipment purchases, hiring authorizations, and professional services contracts across airport, engineering, police, and utilities departments.

The board addressed two primary variance requests during the meeting. The first was a variance request for the Far Out Motel regarding the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system, where staff recommended denial due to safety concerns and failure to meet building codes. The second was a variance request to reduce the front yard setback for a lot in the Country Club Estates Phase 3-E subdivision, for which staff also recommended denial, citing self-imposed hardship and inconsistencies with established development patterns. Additionally, the board considered the approval of the meeting agenda.

The Commission considered several requests during the public hearing session. A special exception for an accessory dwelling unit at 927 Barnett Drive was approved, allowing for the installation of a separate electrical meter. The Commission also approved a request to rezone a portion of the rear yard at 611 Spruell Place from TN-E to T-5C to accommodate additional parking. Furthermore, a special exception for the development of a recreational vehicle park at the intersection of Old West Point Road and East Garrard Road was approved, subject to specific conditions regarding physical screening, accessory structure restrictions, and shielded outdoor lighting.

The board meeting agenda included several key items such as the adoption of a Parks Master Plan, the execution of grant agreements for wastewater projects, and authorization to advertise for legal services. Additionally, the board considered the issuance of a general obligation public improvement bond and addressed various department-specific requests, including airport grants, landscape waivers, and engineering change orders. Human resources and financial administrative items, such as the approval of the claims docket and various hiring authorizations, were also deliberated.

The Planning & Zoning Commission agenda for March 10, 2026, included several public hearings and considerations related to zoning requests. Key items involved Special Exception requests for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) at 24 Lindbergh Blvd (SE 26-04) and 760 East Lee Boulevard (SE 26-05). Additionally, there was a request for Special Exception (SE 26-06) to allow for two duplexes on two lots on Ware Street, and a Use Exception (UE 26-01) concerning the expansion of a legal non-conforming Warehousing, Distribution, & Wholesale Services use for Glo Companies at 1091 Stark Road. The agenda also covered consideration for the approval of the unapproved minutes from the February 10, 2026, meeting.