News Summary
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is revising its leasing process for 16th Section properties to ensure compliance with zoning laws. Following recent issues, all leases will now require a legal survey, protecting both the school district and the community. This proactive approach aims to prevent complications and fosters transparency in land leasing, integrating cooperation between city officials and the school district. As leasing responsibilities shift internally, officials work to address the challenges presented by past discrepancies.
Starkville Takes Steps to Revamp School Land Leasing Process
In Starkville, a significant change is on the horizon for the leasing of 16th Section properties as the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD) is undertaking a thorough overhaul of its leasing process. This comes in response to a recent situation where a school district issued a lease that was not in line with the city’s zoning laws. Such discrepancies have raised eyebrows, and now the district is committed to putting everything in order.
Consultation with Aldermen
During a recent work session, Tim Bourne, the director of assessment, accountability, and accreditation for SOCSD, filled the Starkville aldermen in on what’s happening. The big takeaway? The school district is taking steps to ensure that all future leases are compliant with zoning regulations. This involves confirming that all leasing agreements launched by the district are accompanied by a legal survey.
Ensuring Compliance
It appears that many properties in the leasing portfolio had not been checked for compliance. Bourne made it clear that any property missing a legal survey is getting one done. This is a proactive step to avoid further complications and to ensure everything aligns perfectly with local regulations before a lease is issued.
A Rich History
Did you know that the SOCSD is responsible for around 7,680 acres of 16th Section land? This land is particularly special as it is reserved for educational uses, dating back to the Land Ordinance of 1785. The leasing structure functions like a land trust, allowing the school district to lease out plots for private use as a way to fund public education. In essence, it’s a clever recycling of resources that benefits both education and the community.
Learning on the Job
Interestingly, the responsibility for handling these leases shifted two years ago from an external agent to Bourne himself. He is becoming well-acquainted with the ins and outs of the leasing system amidst various challenges. One notable case that has brought attention to the requisite knowledge of zoning regulations involved a resident, Andria Shumaker, who faced hurdles when attempting to place her manufactured home on her leased land, only to find that local zoning laws prohibited it.
Reassessing the Process
In light of Shumaker’s experience, city and school officials are now carefully examining how 16th Section lands interact with local zoning regulations to prevent such issues from arising in the future. Although SOCSD is diligently reviewing its leased properties to ensure compliance, the timeline and specific number of properties still awaiting verification remain unclear.
City Zoning Code and Future Leases
For those leases that exist within Starkville’s city limits, there’s an additional layer of scrutiny. These properties must abide by the city’s Unified Development Code for zoning. Looking ahead, Bourne is guiding lease applicants to consult with city officials prior to signing any documents, aiming to create a more seamless and compliant leasing experience.
Community Support and Challenges
Alderman Mike Brooks and Alderwoman Sandra Sistrunk have expressed support for Bourne’s commitment to rectifying the leasing process and tackling the existing backlog of lease agreements. Meanwhile, Shumaker continues to deal with uncertainty as efforts are made to move her lease to a more suitable property for manufactured homes, which has turned out to be more complicated than expected due to previous tenant issues.
Next Steps for Shumaker
Shumaker’s appeal to keep her manufactured home on the original Louisville Street property is set for another vote in an upcoming meeting. Previous votes have shown a mix of sentiments, with earlier motions to deny her lease failing to gain traction.
As Starkville navigates through this process, the focus remains on ensuring that the leasing of school district-owned land is transparent, compliant, and supportive of the community’s needs. It’s a refreshing approach to adapt and improve, helping to build stronger ties between the school district and the city.
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- USACE Vicksburg District to Lease Grazing and Agricultural Property Near Sardis Lake
- Ask the Dispatch: What’s Going on with the Oktibbeha County Lake Lawsuit?
- Miskelly Furniture Eyeing Old Vowells Spot
- Google Search: School Land Leasing Process
