In 2022, Tupelo made important rule changes
Jan. 14—TUPELO — 2022 was a year of changes both big and small in the All America City, with significant amendments — corrective measures, expansion, economic development and clarification — to the city’s most important governing document.
Here are some of the major changes made to Tupelo’s Code last year.
Legalization of medical cannabis
After February’s passage of medical marijuana legislation in the Legislature, the city adopted an ordinance to regulate this industry.
The Tupelo city council unanimously adopted regulations in April for the regulation of medical marijuana cultivation and sale.
Based on laws governing pharmacies and liquor stores, the final draft of the ordinance by the city prohibits cannabis facilities located within 1,000 feet from schools, churches, and childcare centres. Furthermore, dispensaries are prohibited from being within 1,500 yards of any other dispensary. It also prohibits dispensaries from locating in the Fairgrounds subdivision.
In addition to limiting dispensaries, there are additional restrictions for cultivation and processing. Any facility with more than 15,000 sq. feet of growing space will require approval from the Tupelo Planning Committee.
Downtown’s overlay expanded
Tupelo officials approved an expansion of Downtown Business Overlay district. This included two sub-districts, Gateway West, and Gateway East, to help grow business along Main Street.
The district was originally located at Madison Street on the west and Highway 45 on the east. The council unanimously approved the expansion. It now ends at Main Street and Gloster Streets, also known as Crosstown on the west, and Veterans Memorial Boulevard to the east.
Tanner Newman, Development Services director, said several out-of state and local developers asked about development in the area. He added that Gateway East residents have spoken with him about redeveloping their lots and renovating them.
Public comments are not allowed in Council meetings
In June, the council voted 6-1 for the reinstatement of a 2017 rule prohibiting citizens from addressing public officials more than once in three months. The original idea was for a six month period. But Janet Gaston, Ward 6 Councilwoman, requested that the time be reduced to three months.
Rosie Jones (Ward 7 Councilwoman) strongly opposed the rule changes. She voted against it at the time, calling it a solution for a problem she did not have.
Before the vote, she stated that “people should be able say what they want.”
Don Lewis, chief operations officer of the city, stated that the city has never had to have any problems with citizens wanting to address it within the time frame.
The State Open Meetings Act prohibits municipalities from excluding citizens from attending meetings. However, municipalities have the power to set rules about how and when residents can address council members during these meetings.
Reorganize neighborhood associations
The city voted in favor of updating and modernizing the city’s development codes and revising descriptions of its various neighborhood associations.
These changes included the elimination of the Bel Air and Sharon Hills neighborhood conservation overlay districts. The districts were established by the city and residents in response to the 2014 tornado. Both groups have since been removed.
The Mill Village Historic Preservation Conservation District was established by the council.
After initial modifications, the council updated Belledeer Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Distric, which officials didn’t include in the original amend because it was not clear what the details were.
Newman said there was interest from Grove Homeowners Association in creating a neighborhood organization within the subdivision. However, he did not have a timeline.
Fire code violation appeals modernized
The city made the Tupelo License Commission the appellate body for all appeals. It also added a seat for someone who is specialized in fire safety to the commission.
Code violations appeals used to fall on the Tupelo chief of fire and the mayor before the changes. However, officials felt that the existing process was inefficient and needed to be modernized.
The council approved the changes and appointed Thomas Walker, former chief of police, to the planning committee to fill in the vacant seat.
Meetings of the police advisory board were reduced
In response to low attendance, the Citizens’ Policing Advisory Board made a major change in the course of the year. They voted unanimously for a reduction in its monthly meetings to every other month.
Multiple members had to end their terms. The council appointed Bob Baughn, ex-Police Chief Jackie Clayton, and two other new members to its board.
John Quaka, Chief of Police, stated that the format change has resulted in two meetings for the board, but the attendance was the same. He suggested that it could have been because the meetings were held on holidays which might explain the low turnout.
Many small changes
Tupelo officials made a number of small modifications to the rules, in addition to major changes to 2022’s city regulations. These were:
—Establishing guidelines allowing residents to request speed tables.
—Requiring ventilation equipment within the kitchens of all new homes and rental properties.
—Prohibiting food trucks from operating on private parking within the Fairpark District — a rule meant to encourage participation in downtown Tupelo’s weekly “Food Truck Friday” event.