Neighbors sue over over re-rezoning

The city of Madison and five subdivisions have filed suit to stop the re-zoning of 350 acres on Bozeman Road. 

Homeowner associations in Belle Terre, Cherry Hill, Ingleside, Reunion and Reserve and the city of Madison are challenging the decision by the Madison County Board of Supervisors to change the zoning of land near the proposed Reunion interchange on Bozeman Road from a Special-Use District (SU-1) to a Highway Commercial District (C-2) that will allow everything from convenience stores to strip malls. 

District 3 Supervisor Gerald Steen, District 4 Supervisor Karl Banks and District 5 Supervisor Paul Griffin approved the re-zoning, with District 1 Supervisor Sheila Jones and District 2 Supervisor Trey Baxter objecting. 

The land in question is owned by the Minnie J. Bozeman Family Limited Partnership and was zoned as a Special Use District (SU-1) that allows for educational institutions, retirement facilities and colleges.

The city of Madison and the HOAs are arguing the petitioner didn’t meet the burden of proof for the re-zoning, which is that there has been a significant change in character of the area. 

There were also allegations that the county approved the re-zoning in exchange for land gifted to build the Reunion interchange. Those allegations have been categorically denied by the Bozeman family and Madison County. 

On Monday, supervisors voted to approve the hiring of Grenada-based attorney Robert Dambrino, a recommendation from the county’s insurance carrier MASIT (Mississippi Association of Supervisors Insurance Trust).