Jackson Free Press

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors took another small step forward today on its long-delayed Byram-Clinton corridor road-building project. The board voted unanimously to earmark $2 million for the project out of the $14 million remaining from a 2007 bond issue.

Supervisor Peggy Calhoun urged the board to dedicate the bond funds to the county's infrastructure needs. "We have been grappling with the $14 million bond funds for a number of years, and I think it's time we set priorities," Calhoun said. "Since 2007, we have been grappling with the money, and the money has been sitting there. It's time that we do move forward."

The $2 million is required matching funds for the county's grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation's TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program. The county will not know for several months whether it has won the $10 million road-construction grant, but Supervisor Phil Fisher said that the county was wise to reserve the matching funds while it still had them.

At its last meeting, on June 21, the board approved applying for a $291,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to design and plan wastewater infrastructure for the corridor. The county reserved $239,000 from the 2007 bond issue as matching funds for that grant. County Public Works Director Carl Frelix said that he hopes the county will learn the status of its grant applications by the end of the year. Fisher said that the county must make sure it has funding

"I think we need to make sure that the grant that's being requested goes through," Fisher said. "This is really important, because if we build this parkway, and we don't have the wastewater infrastructure, then we can't do anything."

Frelix estimates the project's total cost at around $136 million. The county is currently acquiring right-of-way for the parkway, which will run more than 15 miles, from Siwell Road near Interstate 55 in Byram, to Norrell Road where it meets Interstate 20 in Clinton. Supervisors have lauded the project as an economic-development engine for the county.

Fisher applauded Calhoun's push to reserve grant-matching funds ahead of time."As soon as we know that we've got the grant, it's vitally important that we have the match for the grant, because (otherwise) you come up (short), as we have in so many cases in the past--gotten the grants but not had the match for them," Fisher said.

Family Burial Plot Sparks Opposition

Supervisors spent a significant portion of today's meeting listening to arguments over a zoning dispute around the Western Hills subdivision on Raymond Road. Resident Ally Mack asked the board for a zoning variance to establish a family burial ground on her 17-acre property. Mack said that her late husband, Dr. Robert Mack, asked for a green burial under a tree on the family's property.

Several neighbors and area homeowners spoke against Mack's petition, arguing that it would reduce property values. The show of opposition swayed Board President Robert Graham.

"It appears that the residents of the area are overwhelmingly against granting this particular petition," Graham said, "I think about what are the consequences of what we're going to do. ... I think we have to always consider everyone involved."

Fisher noted that the board has approved zoning variances for private cemeteries in the past. "These cemeteries, these situations are always an emotional thing, but I don't see anything that the board hasn't already approved," Fisher said. "We haven't had any environmental issues from these in the past."

The county Planning Commission had previously unanimously approved Mack's request, but the board failed to approve the zoning change, with Graham and supervisor Doug Anderson voting against approval. Fisher and Supervisor George Smith voted to grant Mack's request. Calhoun, who is related to Mack, recused herself from the discussion and voting.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Supervisor George Smith voted against approving Ally Mack's request for a zoning ordinance. Smith voted in favor of the request.

Previous Commentsshow

sooooooooo, just who is going to benefit from the Byram/Clinton corridor? is there a link to the plans/map? Sounds like someone just wants better access to the airport at taxpayers expense. there sure is a lot of air traffic at that airport even at night. thanxxxxxxxxx, sure would like to see the map

wataworld

Nov 22 2011

Wataworld- You really need to look at a map if you think it's a way to get easy access to the airport, it's way side of Jackson from the airport and goes between Clinton and Byram, goes nowhere near the airport and would make it harder to get to the airport is you used it. Go here http://www.co.hinds.ms.us/pgs/elected/district4.asp and toward the bottom of the page there is a link to the map of the Byram Clinton Corridor.

BubbaT

Nov 22 2011

Wataworld just realized you were talking about J.B. Williams airport not Jackson International. Oops, still if they were wanting better access,not that it is needed, the Trace and Clinton Raymond Road both come right by the airport. It be a whole lot cheaper and make more senses to 4 lane Clinton Raymond road, than to build a 4 lane road between Clinton and Byram just to make it easier to get to an airport that services nothing but private planes and no airlines.

BubbaT

Nov 22 2011

that's exactly what i am saying bubbat, why do they need to loop the corridor by way of Raymond adn pick up the airport? if you read the report "they" want to tie in the JB williams airport. why call it Byram to clinton. it really in a way bypasses Clinton.who and where exactly is this big business that is going to move in? Like i said, there is more air traffice at J B williams then people realize, who are these people? Just curious!!! WHO is going to benefit from this corridor at 96million to build?

wataworld

Nov 23 2011

Does look like it bypasses Clinton, but the Clinton city limits are 1/4 mile or so west of where it intersects I20. Clinton annexed all that undeveloped land north of I20 from there to Kickapoo Road. I think the plan is for the businesses to be north of I20 (Rumor is mall like Dogwood out that way) and south along the new road. The road is to give the people from Byram and Raymond easier access to Clinton if all their plans and ideas come toghether. Who knows,seems like more people are moving out of Clinton right now, than into so it all might be wishfull thinking on the city planners part.

BubbaT

Nov 23 2011