By Clay Russell
Enterprise-Journal
The McComb city board has amended an ordinance governing the design of buildings in the city in order to help attract a business to the new Gateway Industrial Park development along Interstate 55 near Fernwood-Airport Road.
The city’s Architectural Control Ordinance bars the construction of buildings in commercial zones with metal roofs or siding.
The Pike County Economic Development District had previously approached the city board to say they had identified a potential buyer for a parcel in Gateway Park, but that the purchase would depend on obtaining permission to erect a metal building.
Before the board’s vote on Tuesday, Selectman Ronnie Brock asked whether the revision to the ordinance would limit its scope to Gateway Park, or open the door for metal buildings across city.
Board attorney Wayne Dowdy sad the board always has to discretion to “revise, amend, suspend or change” any rules it has already established, as long as those modifications don’t violate any state law.
The board would not be “giving up anything that isn’t already in the law,” he said, by agreeing to the specific amendment for Gateway Park.
Selectman Donovan Hill echoed Brock’s concern about the possibility for an inordinately broad application of the proposed amendment. He suggested specific language in it clarifying that it applied only to Gateway Park.
The board ultimately approved the amendment with Hill’s revisions, clearing the way for a new business to set up shop in the industrial park. It still must work through the city’s normal design approval and permitting process.
Selectman Tommy Mc-Kenzie reminded the board that it has always been the case — and still is — that a business owner whose proposal is denied by the city’s Architectural Review Committee can appeal the decision to the city board.
He turned to Jill Gunnell of the Pike County Economic Development District and said, “Thank you for some jobs.”
