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Comprehensive Plan
+ Comp Plan Highlights Part 1
+ Verbal Comments on Comp Plan
+ Which Ward Are You In?
+ Comp Plan Highlights 2
+ Height Workshop 10/11/07
+ Written Comments, Part 1
+ Interim Development Ordinance
+ Written Comments, Part 2
+ Final Ward Meetings
Corps of Engineers ProposalsHistoric Ordinance
+ How the Process Works
+ FAQs about the District
+ Map of the District
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Comprehensive Plan
Update, 3/17/09The City Council passed the Comprehensive Plan by a vote of 7-0.
We wish to thank all the citizens of Bay St. Louis for their input, feedback and ideas.
The draft of the new Bay St. Louis Comprehensive Plan was submitted to the City Council on Monday, June 18th, 2007. The Hancock Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a public awareness campaign and has posted the plan on their website in PDF format. Click here to access the entire plan. Highlights of the plan (Parts 1 and 2) and citizens' comments can be accessed from menu at left.
If you're a Bay St. Louis resident, property or business owner, the city council wants your comments! Although the period for written comments has closed, there will public hearings in the near future. Dates will be posted here in as soon as they're available. Click here to read a WLOX article on the efforts to involve citizens.
How the Process Works
Comprehensive plans go through a three step process:
1. The Advisory Committee - An advisory committee was formed in October 2006, comprised of citizens selected by the Mayor and City Council. The Bay St. Louis committee met with planners contracted by the city (Mike Slaughter, with associate Sue Chamberlain playing a key role) over a nine-month period to write a draft. Committee work involved research, close consideration of issues, writing comments and intensive discussion. The result of the work is the draft version of the plan.
2. The Public - The draft was submitted to City Council, beginning the process of public participation. There will be a formal public hearing as required by law, and the council has hosted several additional public meetings - including a special workshop on building height (took place 10/07 - see menu to left). With the help of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, they are also soliciting additional public comment in an effort to involve as many citizens as possible.
3. The Council - When the public comment period is closed (June 3rd, 2008), the Council will consider all comments, make amendments, have a final public hearing and then bring it up for a vote. The plan does not become official until the Council votes on the final draft.
Why Your Participation is Important
Although the plan has no actual force of law, it sets city goals and objectives for the next 25 years and is the general basis for zoning changes made in the city. It is the guide that the present council and future elected officials will use to shape the growth of the city. Each aspect of community life is covered by the plan: Community character, economic development, housing, land use, public facilities (including infrastructure) and transportation.
Every comment, idea and suggestion from the public has value. This is your chance to help shape the future of the city. You can make your comments and suggestions by e-mail. The Council has set up a new e-mail address specifically for this purpose:
bslcompplan@yahoo.com
E-mailed comments will be posted on this site with personal information deleted.
You may also drop off written comments at the Library in Bay St. Louis, City Council Office or the Hancock Chamber. If you wish to mail in comments, send to:
City Council Office
P O Box 2550
Bay St. Louis, MS 39521
Copies will be made of all comments received and given to each council member and the planners. Through the local newspaper and Chamber website, the Council will announce future public meetings regarding the plan.
Why it is important
to complete the process in a timely and efficient manner
1. The annexed area needs new zoning to properly integrate it into the city. Those decisions cannot be made until the council adopts the comprehensive plan to use as a guide for that zoning.
2. The adoption of the plan will allow the city to move forward to attract new businesses and development. The plan is a tool that can present a clear vision of how citizens want to grow and rebuild, with common priorities. Officials, citizens and new residents and developers will have a solid foundation on which to base decisions.
If you'd like to read a hard copy of the entire plan, copies (to remain in-house) are available at the City Council office (on Main, behind the Shell Station at Hwy. 90), the Bay St. Louis Library and the Hancock Chamber office at 412 Hwy 90 in Bay St. Louis.
This public awareness campaign is sponsored by
the Hancock Chamber of Commerce