Case File 2507HC105 - Zoning Text Amendment to establish additional new zoning districts including not limited to definitions, use table modifications, dimensional requirements in Harrison County Unified Development Code to better serve the needs of the County. Existing Zoning Districts are Agricultural (A-1), Very Low Density Residential (E-1) and Low Density (R-1). The new districts in the A-1 agricultural zoning to be established are A-15 (minimum lot size 15 acres), A-5 (5 acres), A-3 (3 acres). The new districts in the E-1 Very Low Density Residential zoning to be established are E-1.3 (min. lot size 3 acres), E-1.2(2 acres), E-1.1(1 acre), and E-1.32(32,000 sq. ft). The new districts in the R-1 Low Density Residential zoning to be established are R-1.20 (20,000 sq. ft.), R-1.15 (15,000 sq. ft.), R-1.12 (12,000 sq. ft.), R-1.10 (10,000 sq. ft.) and R-1.75(7,500 sq ft.). The entire text of the proposed changes is available at the Chancery Clerks Office, Zoning, and on the County website at https://harrisoncountyms.gov/. - Eric Nolan, Zoning Administrator Said petition was filed by Eric Nolan, Harrison County Zoning Administrator for Donovan Scruggs requesting approval of an amendment to establish additional new zoning districts including not limited to definitions, use table modifications, dimensional requirements in Harrison County Unified Development Code to better serve the needs of the County. Existing 6 Zoning Districts are Agricultural (A-1), Very Low Density Residential (E-1) and Low Density Residential (R-1). The new districts in the A-1 agricultural zoning to be established are A-15 (minimum lot size 15 acres), A-5 (5 acres), A-3 (3 acres). The new districts in the E-1 Very Low Density Residential zoning to be established are E-1.3 (min. lot size 3 acres), E-1.2 (2 acres), E-1.1 (1 acre), and E-1.32 (32,000 sq. ft). The new districts in the R-1 Low Density Residential zoning to be established are R-1.20 (20,000 sq. ft.), R-1.15 (15,000 sq. ft.), R-1.12 (12,000 sq. ft.), R-1.10 (10,000 sq. ft.) and R-1.75 (7,500 sq ft.). The entire text of the proposed changes is available at the Chancery Clerks Office, Zoning, and on the County website at https://harrisoncountyms.gov/. This is the first of a series of recommendations, but these amendments will provide significant assistance in short and long term planning and land use decisions. The proposed amendments are based on changes in neighborhood character of Harrison County and a public need. These are comprehensive changes that impact the unincorporated areas of the County. The original zoning ordinance was adopted in August 2000. The changes in character of the County since that time are evident with the increased single-family residential development within the unincorporated areas which are occurring at a faster rate than within the municipalities. New single-family residential subdivisions are being developed throughout the County, and oftentimes, the suburban lot sizes and overall scale may be incompatible with the rural character of certain areas of the County. The Zoning Ordinance can be improved to address these pressures by providing more options or additional land use controls for residential development. These proposed amendments address the public need to guide growth into appropriate areas that are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The proposed changes will assist the County in land use decisions that are more consistent with the surrounding areas, will aid in deterring incompatible development, and better manage sprawl. The proposed changes will provide greater flexibility for the County in dealing with applications and requests for zoning amendments. The proposed changes include the following:  Article II, Section 203 - Meaning of Words and Terms  Article III, Section 300 - Establishment of Districts  Article IV, Sections 402, 403, 404 - Description of Proposed Districts  Article IV, 415 Use Table Changes - Subdistricts, Accessory Dwelling Units, and Subdivisions  Article IV, Table 416 - Lot Dimensional Requirements  Article IV, Section 416.02 - Table of Area and Dimensional Requirements - Required Improvements  Article XIV, Section 1407 - Amendments and Changes A brief summary of these Sections and Tables listed are as follows:  Article II, Section 203. (Amendment 1) The terms “Established District”, “Subdistrict”, and “Spot Zoning” are added to the glossary.  Article III, Section 300. (Amendment 2) Established Districts and additional Agriculture, Estate, and Residential Districts are provided. This will permit the continued and compliant uses of A-1, E-1, and R-1 Districts that currently exist without requiring a rezoning to maintain current uses. Essentially, nothing will change in these districts unless the owner or developer initiates a change in boundary lines, a conditional use, the subdivision of the property, or similar applications that requires Planning Commission consideration. If some change or division is initiated, a rezoning to one of the newly approved districts will be required. It is the intent to eventually change the Established Districts to the newly adopted districts. Until that time, zoning changes from Established Districts will be initiated by the property owner or delegate. No rezonings to Established Districts should be permitted.  Article IV, Section 402, 403, and 404. (Amendment 3) This section further defines the intent and characteristics of the proposed subdistricts. It provides additional districts (also referred to as subdistricts) within the following classifications: Agriculture, Estate, and Single-Family Residential.  Article IV, Table 415-Use Table. (Amendment 4) The changes within this table reclassifies accessory dwelling units on Agriculture lots from a ‘conditional use’ to a ‘permitted use’. This also includes the provision to permit manufactured homes as accessory dwellings for immediate family members in Agricultural Districts. Manufactured homes are reclassified as “permitted use” in Agricultural Districts (no longer classified as a conditional use). Another adjustment includes the removal of a clause that could require a conditional use to build a residential dwelling on compliant lots within subdivisions after five (5) years [This is an unenforced regulation that could cause problems]. A statement is provided that requires rezonings of parcel or tracts within Established “E” and “R” Districts to be rezoned for the development of subdivisions.  Article IV, Table 416. (Amendment 5) Changes to this table include the addition of new districts and the dimensional requirements of the lots within the district to include setbacks, lot area, widths, etc. An additional column is provided that identifies the development types that are permitted. This will require the removal of A-1, E-1 and R-1 rows from the Table on page 96 and provide a new “stand alone” or additional chart to be included with Table 416.  Article IV, Section 416.02. (Amendment 6) This proposed amendment is closely related to Table 416 and addresses the Development Types I, II, and III and the infrastructure required for these developments. 7  Article XIV, Section 1407 (Amendment 7) This proposed amendment includes area limitations on rezonings to deter “spot zoning” that may be incompatible with areas. The amendment also encourages better compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. The proposed amendments are attached:

Committee

Planning Commission

Introduced

July 28, 2025

On agenda

August 5, 2025