Planning/Engineering
Welcome to the Office of Planning and D
evelopment
Planning Office Manager Brenda Cook
MISSION
To accomplish the highest quality of life for the citizens of Horn Lake by striving for constant improvement of the built environment and the conservation of natural and historic resources.
OVERVIEW OF DUTIES
The Planning Department serves as a liaison between the public and City government. This department interacts with the Horn Lake Municipal Planning Commission, an appointed board of citizens, with providing information and advice to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and other City officials to assist them in making decisions about growth and development of the City of Horn Lake. Stemming from this, the Planning Department provides the following specific services:
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Provide expertise and technical assistance to the City of Horn Lake Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Horn Lake Tree Board, Horn Lake Design Review Commission, and various ad-hoc committees and task forces. This technical assistance includes review and processing submittals to these public bodies.
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Provide expertise and technical assistance to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
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Answer questions from the public related to existing or proposed development, natural resources, and historic resources.
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Administer performance agreements and sureties, and coordinates inspections, related to improvements associated with new development, such as streets, drainage, landscaping water/wastewater, and sidewalks.
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Perform landscape inspections
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Participate in associated Boards and Committees throughout DeSoto County and the district that will promote the natural and historic resources available to the City of Horn Lake.
TREE BOARD
The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Horn Lake, and to enhance the economic environmental, and aesthetic qualities of the urban surrounds by preventing the unwarranted clear cutting of urban forest for the purpose of expediting development. The goal of this ordinance is to protect through preservation, to promote the establishment of, and to maintain a 40% Urban Tree Canopy Cover in the City of Horn Lake.
The Mayor has declared the City of Horn Lake to be the “Greenest City in Mississippi” and the city can boast of several years as a certified “Tree City USA”.The City of Horn Lake was the first in DeSoto County to have a certified urban forester on staff. The Office of Planning and Development works hand in hand with the urban forester to promote a healthy built environment before development gets to the earth moving stage.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The purpose of this commission is to review applications for rezoning, subdivision of commercial and residential properties, conditional use permits, and site plans. In matters of rezoning, subdivision, and conditional use applications, the commissioners make a recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
1) That special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land, structure, or building involved and which are not applicable to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district;
2) That literal interpretation of the provisions of this Ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this ordinance.
3) That special conditions and circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
This district has it’s own design standard manual. The purpose of the district is to encourage planned mixed uses protecting the portions of the city which recall the rich architectural and culture of the City of Horn Lake and County of DeSoto, awakening in the people of Horn Lake an interest in the historic past and promoting the general welfare, education and culture of Horn Lake, and for the further specific purposes of regulating the use and appearance of both private and public and public property in order to protect the distinctive historical, architectural or aesthetic character of the historic district and regulating the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition and razing of buildings and structures within the historic district for the cultural and aesthetic benefit of the City of Horn Lake.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) What is the zoning classification of my property and what can I build on it?
a. Refer to zoning map and subsequent use chart. “P” stands for permitted by right and “C” stands for conditional use. If a use has nothing listed in your zoning district, then it is not allowed in that district.
2) Can I rezone my property?
a. The first question that should be asked with a potential rezoning is “What does the Land Use Plan say about the subject property? Contact our Long Range Planner at (662) 342-3559 for more information.
3) Can I subdivide my property?
All lots must have access and must meet the minimum size requirements for the district in which they are located. This information can be found on the last pages of the Zoning Regulations in the Chart of Regulations.
New Ordinances, Permit Forms and FAQ
OFFICIAL SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Application for Going Out of Business
BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE
The planning department now has the responsibility for issuing business privilege license.
Storm Water
Reduce Storm Water Pollution
Keep grass clippings and trash out of the street and gutters. Compost or bag them. Reduce fertilizer and pesticide use. Recycle used motor oil, don’t dump! Most automotive stores collect waste oil.
Park your car on the grass before washing. Spread the word about protecting our waters to friends and neighbors. Put litter in its place. Take your old tires to a proper disposal place. Clean up after your pet. Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Deliver your household hazardous waste to published locations quarterly.
How does Storm Water pollution occur?
As water flows across the ground, it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and deposits them into a storm drain system or water body. Storm drains are a non-treated system!The water that flows into your storm drains will end up in the drainage basins. Homeowners contribute pollutants that enter Horn Lake’s water bodies through: Soil, Yard Debris, Oil, Trash & litter, Fertilizers, Animal waste, pesticides, herbicides, household hazardous waste, car washing, paints and chemicals.
For more information on either the MDEQ or EPA stormwater phase II programs, click on the following links below.
MDEQ Stormwater Phase II Program
EPA Stormwater Phase II Program
As always if you need further information or to report stormwater issues, please contact Tommy Bledsoe at (662) 393-6178 or via email at tbledsoe@hornlake.org.