The fate of a future mixed-use development in Ridgeland will lay in the hands of the mayor and board of aldermen during May 3’s meeting after the city’s zoning board recommended denying the approval of the project.
The zoning board met to conduct several public hearings on April 21, but the most attended public hearing of the night was for the petition submitted by Mattiace Properties, Inc requesting a conditional use for residential dwelling units in a commercial mixed use building, Mayor Gene McGee said. The petitioner and his consultants, who also developed The Renaissance, were the first speakers.
“They explained their proposal of 60,000 square feet of commercial retail and restaurant space with up to 280 residential dwelling units in a series of 7 buildings on a 15.75 acre site,” McGee said. “They added that the requirement for 50 percent independent commercial uses on the first floor of the 2-, 3-, and 4-story buildings will be met or exceeded in accordance with Ridgeland’s Zoning Ordinance. The petitioner addressed traffic impacts of the project and proposed improvements to Highland Colony Parkway.”
The proposed development would be built along Highland Colony Parkway near Lake Castle Road. The first phase of the project is currently up for approval and targeting a 2024 opening date, but citizens voiced their opinions largely against the development.
“Objectors raised points about residential rental on Highland Colony Parkway increasing commercial retail development, crime, and impact on public schools,” McGee said. “Several commented that they felt this project was nothing more than apartments.”
McGee said the City of Madison has hired an attorney to speak in opposition of the project and claimed that it doesn’t comply with the Ridgeland Comprehensive Plan, it isn’t consistent with other developments in the area, and that traffic from the project would result in apartment dwellers driving into their city.
“Phillip Huskey, Madison County School Board Member, commented that the addition of a more transient population would further negatively impact the schools,” McGee said. “Mr. Huskey went on to claim that the children from the existing apartments do not perform in school as well as other students.”
Following the discussion of the opposed, Andrew Mattiace answered questions from the zoning board members.
“Mr. Mattiace explained that the retail absorption rate in Renaissance is at 97 percent occupied despite some recent closings, business bankruptcies, and normal relocations/expansions,” McGee said. “He commented that he has great confidence in the proposed retail servicing the development occupants and visitors.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the zoning board voted to recommend that the mayor and board of aldermen deny approval to the project. The mayor and board of aldermen will consider this item during their May 2 work session and vote at their May 3 board meeting at 6 p.m.
