By Shaun McInnish, Sr., City Beat Writer, Pelahatchie News
Pelahatchie March Public Hearing Summary: The Pelahatchie Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public hearing to gather public input on several zoning and ordinance-related matters on March 31, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The city attorney was not present in person for this meeting (only on phone).
New Business:
1. Rezoning Request – Kenneth Martin (Highway 43 North): Kenneth Martin requested that two residential lots on Highway 43 North be rezoned to commercial zoning. Martin was asked to return to the next regular board meeting for consideration and a formal vote.
2. Rezoning Request – Luke Shivers (North Avenue): Luke Shivers was not present for the hearing. His request sought to rezone property on North Avenue from R-1 to High Density Residential for the purpose of constructing a future apartment complex within city limits. Due to his absence, no action was taken.
3. Ordinance Amendment – Heritage District: The board discussed adding language to the Heritage District ordinance that would specifically ban liquor stores. David Gray’s name was called multiple times, but it was announced that he was not present. Joe Lane Kelly, a local businessman, expressed his opposition to this amendment, stating that it would block him from building a liquor store in the Heritage District.
4. Special Conditional Use Permit Request – Joe Lane Kelly: Joe Lane Kelly submitted a request for a special conditional use permit to open a liquor store in the Heritage District. The matter was left for further discussion and action at the April 7 regular board meeting.
Pelahatchie April 2025 Board Meeting Summary: The Board of Aldermen for the Town of Pelahatchie held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Town Hall. Mayor Karl VanHorn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Invocation by Alderman Jones and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: All five members of the Board were present: Aldermen Diane Hill, Sandra Harvey, Margie Warren, Eddie Jones, and James Harrell.
Residents and Visitors’ Business: An update from the Pelahatchie Public Library was listed on the agenda; however, no representative was present to deliver the update.
New Business:
1. Approval of March 3, 2025, Meeting Minutes: Motion was made by Alderman Eddie Jones and seconded by Alderman Diane Hill. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Approval of Unpaid Claims Docket: Motion was made by Alderman Margie Warren and seconded by Alderman Eddie Jones. The motion passed 3-2.
3. Approval of Bank Draft Payment to Morgan and White Insurance ($1,082.27): Motion was made by Alderman Jones and seconded by Alderman Hill. The motion passed with all in favor.
4. Approval of Payment to Blue Cross Insurance ($8,293.24): Motion was made by Alderman Margie Warren and seconded by Alderman Eddie Jones. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Approval of Payment to EMC Insurance for Property Coverage ($5,916.32): Motion was made by Alderman Margie Warren and seconded by Alderman Eddie Jones. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Approval of March 2025 Payroll: General Fund: $70,457.69; Enterprise Fund: $26,846.85; Motion was made by Alderman Eddie Jones and seconded by Alderman James Harrell. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Rezoning Kenneth Martin’s Properties Along Highway 43 from Residential to Commercial: Motion was made by Alderman Jones and seconded by Alderman Harrell. The motion passed with all in favor.
8. Amending the Heritage District Ordinance Verbiage to Ban Liquor Stores From Being Built in the Heritage District: Motion was made by Alderman Jones and seconded by Alderman Harrell. The motion passed 3-2.
9. Request for Conditional Use Permit For Joe Lane Kelly to Open a Liquor Store in Heritage District: A motion to explicitly deny Joe Lane Kelly’s request for a conditional use permit was made by Alderman Jones and seconded by Alderman Harrell. The motion to deny Joe Lane Kelly’s conditional use permit passed in a 3–2 vote.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Margie Warren and seconded by Alderman Eddie Jones. The motion passed unanimously and meeting adjourned at 6:14 P.M.
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