The City of Vicksburg ceded approximately 39 acres in southeast Vicksburg Tuesday. It is part of a residential development with no access from city streets and is adjacent to an area already served by private utilities.

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman said the move, which had already won court approval, was made official in a called meeting to comply with a request by the Department of Justice for an updated city charter in light of the upcoming municipal elections.

The city limits were redefined slightly by a chancery court case last summer when the 39-acre portion of city property was reverted to the county to accommodate expansion of Littlewood subdivision, off Lee Road south of Oak Park subdivision. Littlewood borders the city limits, southeast of Audubon Hills subdivision and east of the U.S. Engineer Research and Development Center.

Originally, city officials had not expected a federal phase because the acreage is mostly brush, City Attorney Nancy Thomas has said. The Department of Justice, under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, must approve any local changes that have any bearing on elections.

Littlewood’s principal developer, Ronald Taylor, has said he plans 13 homes on the 39 acres and water services would be provided by the Hilldale Water District. The area became part of the city in 1990’s annexation. Ceding it means any roads, when completed and accepted, will be maintained by Warren County. Fire protection will be by county volunteers and law enforcement by the sheriff’s department.

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield was not present at the meeting, leaving Beauman and Mayor Laurence Leyens to adopt the measure.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com.