Application tabled for sports bar by planning commission

Published 11:10 am Friday, October 10, 2014

An application for a special exception for a sports bar on U.S. 61 South was tabled by the Vicksburg Planning Commission Tuesday because the business’ potential owners failed to comply with changes required by the city’s site plan committee.

Business owners Willie McRunnels and Mary Lee are seeking a special exception for a night club for the building at 4869 U.S. 61 South, the site of the former Lucky Fisherman Restaurant, which operated until 2006, to allow them to operate a sports bar. The property is zoned L-2 heavy industrial, which does not allow bars or restaurants without a special exception.

The site plan committee, a four-member committee that examines building site plans for new businesses and expansions to ensure they meet city building ordinances, returned the initial plans to the business. A lack of landscaping for the parking lot, no adjacent property lines, no fire sprinkler system for the building, paving the parking lot and narrow parking spots were among the deficiencies cited.

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Kenneth Jackson, who represented McRunnels at the hearing, told the commission, which was meeting as the Board of Zoning Appeals, he did not have the new plans, which were not completed.

The board reset the application hearing for November to give McRunnels and Lee time to re-draw the site plan.

“I want to see new businesses come to Vicksburg, but I think it’s premature at this time to approve this application,” board member David Sesseums said.

In another matter, the board approved rezoning a lot at 3409 Oak St. at the corner of Oak and Johnson streets from business and multifamily residential to general commercial.

Property owner Betty Bullard said she had no immediate plans for the property, adding changing the zoning to general commercial would make it more attractive to potential buyers.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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