RIDGELAND’S ZONING and Planning Board is scheduled to host a public hearing March 6 to determine whether a pair of variances should be approved for properties at Renaissance at Colony Park.

Hyatt Place Hotel is expected to request a special exception and conditional use for a six-story building on property zoned C-4, and Bank Plus is expected to seek permission to rezone its building from C-2 to C-2a, Janet Clark, a member of the group ZONE, said in a press release.

“Once again, the city of Ridgeland has failed to follow its own procedures set out in the zoning ordinances,” she said. “We oppose the city’s assumption that - zoning ordinances notwithstanding - buildings can be built as developers wish and permission may be granted after the fact. This approach to development cuts citizens out of the process by avoiding a public hearing and thus avoids needed public input.”

The hotel, Clark said, has already been built to six stories in an area zoned for buildings with no more than four stories. Banks are not permitted in C-2, or general commercial district zones, according to the city’s zoning ordinance.

“Because this (Hyatt approval) was done on the same consent agenda as the original approval for 200 Renaissance, it is critical that we oppose this variance,” ZONE volunteer attorney Lawson Hester said. “The fact that Zoning Board approval is now being sought for something that has already been built indicates a pretty serious legal problem, in my opinion. All of this underscores the continual failure of the city of Ridgeland to abide by its own ordinances and established administrative procedures.”

CLARK SAID IN BOTH cases, city attorneys apparently did not alert Ridgeland officials that “proper procedures were not being followed. Bank Plus received site plan approval and applied for a building permit before learning that a bank cannot be built on land zoned C-2. Unlike the Hyatt Place Hotel, Bank Plus has not yet started construction.”

A Madison County Circuit Court judge is reviewing a ZONE appeal of Ridgeland officials’ approval of the 200 Renaissance site plan for an H.C. Bailey property.

The 13-story building will house Regions Bank, Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens and Cannada Law Firm, and Horne CPA Group.

Last December, Mayor Gene McGee cast the tie-breaking, 4-3 vote to approve a variance request to build the $60-$70 million tower. Developer Buster Bailey altered his original plan to build 17 stories as a compromise with those opposing it.

City officials in October authorized an exception to allow the 13-story building in an area zoned for buildings no taller than four stories.

“We need a mass turnout at the March 6 zoning hearing,” Hester said. “If the Zoning Board approves this improper after-the-fact zoning variance request, it unequivocally will be appealed. If the aldermen also approve the variance, we will then appeal that ruling.”