Whereas, the City of Vicksburg seeks to improve the city's aesthetic appeal through the establishment of the Vicksburg Garden District to foster development, revitalization, and renewal in an area identified as historically significant to the Vicksburg tourism industry and is home to six (6) residences listed on the National Register of Historic Properties that being Cedar Grove Mansion, Floweree, Belle of the Bends, The Corners, The Captain Carroll House and The Bellevue Kitchen; and

Whereas, the Vicksburg Garden District will be a historically significant area bounded on the south by Speed Street, on the east by Washington Street, on the west by Pearl Street and on the north by the KCS railroad tracks with the area including the 2100-2400 blocks of Oak Street; and

Whereas, the Vicksburg Garden District, with its high concentration of National Register properties, will highlight Vicksburg's historical significance and unique architectural character and play a vital role in promoting tourism; and

Whereas, the city desires to establish a Garden District Steering Committee to implement a master plan, long-term development and maintenance of the district and develop and instill a sense of community and pride in the property owners owning property in the district.

The above and foregoing recitals are hereby found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein as findings of fact. The board of mayor and aldermen hereby further finds and determines that the rules, regulations, terms, conditions, provisions and requirements of this article are reasonable and necessary to protect the public health, safety and quality of life.

(Ord. No. 2023-01, 3-10-23)

Purpose of district: The purpose of the Vicksburg Garden District is to foster development, revitalization, and renewal of the historically significant area bounded on the south by Speed Street, on the east by Washington Street, on the west by Pearl Street and on the north by the KCS railroad tracks with the area including the 2100-2400 blocks of Oak Street through the enforcement of building, housing and related codes and the planned improvements to the area;

A.

Vicksburg Garden District is intended to be used in conjunction with and complimentary to other zoning ordinances to allow for the enhancement of property values in the district and improvement of properties in a state of disrepair.

B.

Garden District Steering Committee.

1.

A Garden District Steering Committee is hereby established to implement a master plan and long-term development and maintenance of the Garden District. The committee shall advise the board of mayor and aldermen as to the guidelines needed to foster development, redevelopment, improvement and enhancement of properties in the Garden District. The committee shall be authorized to:

a.

Interact with the Garden District residents and property owners to develop a sense of community and willingness to work to improve the district;

b.

Actively seek grant funding and volunteer resources for the improvement of the properties and landscaping within the district;

c.

Actively seek funding from grants and district residents to aid the city in paying costs for street lighting, signage, landscaping and the creation of Garden District entrances;

d.

Create a neighborhood watch program;

e.

Create neighborhood improvement criteria subject to the approval of the Board of mayor and aldermen;

f.

Organize and implement Garden District cleanup efforts at least one (1) to two (2) times per year;

g.

Actively involve the Vicksburg Master Gardeners to develop gardens and landscaping in the district;

2.

The steering committee shall consist of seven (7) persons to be appointed by the board of mayor and aldermen to serve without compensation which shall include the following: at least two (2) owners of bed and breakfast inns, two (2) homeowners residing in the district and one (1) rental property owner in the district.

C.

No structure, building or other improvement or other major landscape features surrounding such building, structure, or improvement located on any land located within the Garden District shall be erected, reconstructed, altered, or restored until such plans have been approved by the board of architectural review. The board of architectural review may, after hearing the evidence in any case properly before it involving reconstruction or alteration only, waive the requirements of City of Vicksburg Ordinance Number 86-4, section 13-25.

(Ord. No. 2023-01, 3-10-23)