Planning OKs Camille Street application, short-term rentals

By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director

This week in Community Development, the Biloxi Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an application from Pegasus Development Group LLC, for the vacation of Camille Street between Reynoir and Croesus. The commission also approved the dedication of land, from the same developer, at the south end of Croesus, for the purpose of making traffic improvements to the intersection. These recommendations will now go before the city council for final consideration. If approved by the council, the developer can move forward with plans for the construction of a luxury hotel.

Also this week, the planning commission approved text changes for the creation of a Short Term Rental Overlay District for all properties in Biloxi located east of Caillavet. Under this measure, property owners in this area with properties zoned CB, RB, DT, or WF, would be allowed to utilize their properties for STR, provided they can comply with the STR Standards and obtain the necessary permits. The remaining properties in the overlay district would allow STR as a “conditional use”, which would require approval of the planning commission and the city council on a case by case basis. West of Caillavet Street, properties zoned CB, RB, DT, or WF would allow STR as a “use permitted by right”. Properties zoned RM-20 and RM-30 would allow STR as a conditional use. STR in single family zoned areas, west of Caillavet Street, would not be allowed. This recommendation will also go before the city council for final consideration.

On Wednesday, the Development Review Committee reviewed the preliminary site plan for a new Citizens Bank to be located on Popp’s Ferry Road, west of the proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market.