BRANDON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
If you didn't know any better, one might think the subdivisions along Spillway Road are in an incorporated area of Rankin County.
There has been a lot of residential and commercial development in a short amount of time.
"This is my little piece of heaven and I want to see it continue to prosper," says President of the Federation of Reservoir Homeowners Homer Burns.
The federation worked with lawmakers to craft House Bill 515.
It gives Rankin county supervisors the ability to enact ordinances for specific areas.
Burns' organization is concerned with a nearly 20 square mile, populated area near the spillway. Fannin Road, areas north of Highway 25 to Holly Bush Road and Northshore Parkway.
This includes the subdivisions of Hidden Hills, Pelahatchie Woods, and Forest Point, according to Burns.
The federation hopes the legislation will eventually result in stricter yard and up keep ordinances for some houses and rental properties. Burns also hopes on and off street parking in certain neighborhoods can be restricted.
"If you live ten feet from your neighbor on your left, ten feet your neighbor on your right, and join your neighbor on your back then you have problems if they're not doing what they are supposed to or if I'm not doing what I'm supposed to."
The long time resident believes new ordinances could improve or maintain property values in the area where about 20,000 people live.
Burns says many of the homeowner association covenants in the area are nearly impossible to change and are outdated.
The federation is also concerned with how commercial development will change the landscape near the Reservoir.
"We are a residential area and in many cases some of our commercial property joins our residences and if we had all night facilities that stayed open and there was a lot of racket, a lot of noise, that wouldn't go over very well with homes or churches," explains Burns.
He says as many homeowners and residents as possible should be involved to find a good solution for growth and tranquility.
The federation is working on proposals to present to the board of supervisors.
Interim County Administrator George Bobo says each proposal will be considered carefully to ensure it is in the best interest of everyone involved.
However, no action can be taken until at least July 1st, when the new law takes effect.
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