A community meeting about the Woodland Hills Conservation Association’s application for two public access gates is scheduled on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. over Zoom.
This community meeting, which is being held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, will include a brief presentation of the gate locations, which are proposed for Old Canton Road and Glenway Drive and Wood Dale Drive and Ridge Drive.
The meeting will also include an outline of the processes required for gate approval and the opportunity to ask the association and city employees questions.
For details about the Zoom meeting, go to www.jacksonms.gov/woodland-hills-public-access-gate-application/. Additional information about the public meeting or application can be obtained by calling 601-960-2037.
Woodland Hills is the first neighborhood to apply for gates since November when the Jackson City Council approved changes to the gating ordinance that were meant to better communicate about the process and make it more transparent.
In April 2019, Jackson residents sparred over the then-pending gating proposals for Eastover and Woodland Hills. Opponents voiced concern that they did not have the opportunity to comment until the gating application was before the council, while supporters claimed they were at a disadvantage because they did not have a chance to refute testimony from opponents of gating.
The changes to the ordinance call for a pre-application meeting with the city’s Planning and Development staff before an application for the installation of public access gates is submitted. A conceptual drawing showing the locations of proposed public access gates must be submitted to the Planning and Development Department before an application for the installation of public access gates is submitted.
After conceptual drawings are submitted, the Planning and Development Department staff will then provide written notice to proceed with a community meeting, where an applicant will share the drawings and gather input. The Planning and Development Department staff is required to be present at a community meeting to provide technical support.
All property owners in a neighborhood are required to be notified by certified mail of the time, place and location of the community meeting at least 15 days before the scheduled meeting. All property owners identified by Planning and Development Department staff as directly affected by the gate outside of the neighborhood also have to receive notice.
A public notice sign with the time, date and location for the community meeting should be posted at all proposed gate locations for 15 days before the community meeting.
During the community meeting, the conceptual drawings will be shared and the Planning and Development Department staff will keep a record of all input.
Upon completion of the public notice and community meeting, the Planning and Development Department staff will provide written approval for the applicant to move forward and submit a formal application within 60 days.
Public access gates, unlike private gates, do not bar individuals from entering a neighborhood. All a motorist must do is drive up, push a button or simply wait for the gates to open. The gates slow traffic by requiring motorists to wait before entering a neighborhood and are thought to deter criminals from making a quick getaway.
