Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting - July 30, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, July 30, 2025

BodyBiloxi, Mississippi

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, July 30, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 43:16

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Promoting citywide volunteerism.

0:03

We will also keep it small and manageable.

0:06

We want to take a positive approach to the issues and the growth.

0:10

This is not a finger point committee.

0:12

This is a Let's Help Committee.

0:14

And I think working together, we can accomplish that is our Biloxi is our harbors.

0:20

And together we can make Biloxi brighter and shine more than ever, especially our harbors.

0:25

I look forward to speaking with you all soon.

0:28

And thank you for your consideration.

0:30

Thank you.

0:32

Anyone else on my left, your right?

0:34

Raise your hand to be recognized.

0:38

Anyone on my right, your left?

0:39

Yes, ma'am, in the back.

0:53

Good afternoon, everybody.

0:54

My name is Laurie Silvestro.

0:57

I live at 181 Iris Street.

0:59

Normally my husband is here, but he's away on business, so I'm going to be his voice today.

1:04

Um, but I'm here to speak about the uh plan for the zoning change for the Beauvoir villas.

1:12

Um I know that the builder has modified the plan to 200 plus homes.

1:18

Um, but it just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

1:22

Uh Monarch Villas, a much smaller scale of what's planned for Beauvoir, uh, remain unsold.

1:30

Um at least 20 of them remain unsold, and these were constructed in 2024.

1:36

So why build 200 more?

1:38

Uh the builder has also had a history of presenting plans for one thing and then changing it after the construction starts.

1:47

For example, coral breeze, same villas, with more green space on a beach.

1:53

Um please recall that these villas were not the original plan for coral breeze.

1:58

There was a heated city council meeting around change requests made by Elliott Holmes and the approved uh plans for the record were for a higher end coastal apartment complex, but Elliot never built to that plan.

2:13

He went and built the villas and then asked for forgiveness later.

2:18

I don't trust this builder to hold to the plans that would be approved.

2:24

So I respectfully ask the council to consider denying the zoning change request from an RS10 to a PD.

2:31

Remember the purpose of a PD is to improve an area.

2:36

Our neighbors have worked tirelessly to make sure that they have land owners around us took responsibility to clear the the broad water, even though it has overgrown again.

2:49

Uh we've picked up trash, we you know have always requested that the vacant school property be maintained.

2:56

We've worked very hard for our neighborhood and surrounding area uh to show improvement, and I do not believe that Elliott Homes or Meritage, whatever name it will be under, is going to have Biloxi's best interests at hearts in this case.

3:14

And um I just want to say that I think the true plan that Elliot has is hidden.

3:24

It's not revealed.

3:26

And if you change to a PD, what are the like what's the likelihood of him changing his plans into anything that he wants?

3:35

So I just respectfully ask that you take serious consideration in what's best for Biloxi and not for the builder's pockets.

3:45

Thank you.

3:46

Thank you.

3:49

Anyone on my right, lady in the red.

4:07

And I want to come here to thank the mayor and the councilman for your part in helping us acquire uh big support on two Saturdays ago.

4:14

What we did was we gave away 400 backpacks to the community.

4:18

Uh we fed them, we had hot dogs, chips, sodas, ice cream, and snowballs, and it was a great event.

4:24

And I just want to reach out to you and just say thank you.

4:27

We did use the man's bathroom because that was the only one that was accessible to us because one of them is not working as Mr.

4:32

Moore said.

4:33

So everything was a great success, and I just wanted to thank you for that from the second liners.

4:39

Thank you.

4:42

Gentleman in the back.

5:00

My name is Steve Shepard.

5:01

I actually live in uh Jackson County over in Goche, but I'm uh the Gulf Coast Group Chair for the Sierra Club, and uh I'm coming on behalf of people in Biloxi that are in the Sierra Club and also concerned about the future of Biloxi in relation to overgrowth, overdevelopment, overcrowding, uh not enough green space.

5:23

Of course, we obviously object to cutting down live oak trees just to help some developers somewhere.

5:29

So what I'm here for is one thing.

5:33

The proposed subdivision at Bovar Villa does not have enough open space according as required by law.

5:45

Um let's see, the proposed subdivision includes less than five percent open space set aside, falling more than a hundred thousand square feet short of the 20% minimum required by law.

5:58

And it's for that reason I asked everyone here to vote no.

6:03

Think about open space, think about the future of this city, and don't just end up with these postage stamp crowded together developments in the long run, they're not gonna look good.

6:14

But anyway, thank you very much.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning███████████████████████████27%

Public Works█████████████████████21%

Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████19%

Community Engagement████████8%

Procurement And Contracting██████6%

Affordable Housing█████5%

Environmental Protection████4%

Procedural████4%

Public Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Biloxi City Council Meeting – July 30, 2025

The Biloxi City Council met on July 30, 2025, to consider several agenda items, including a proposed zoning change for a large residential development, a waterfront rezoning for a car wash, and a contract for HVAC replacement at the Grewwich Community Center. The meeting featured extensive public comment and council debate.

Public Comments & Testimony

Laurie Silvestro (181 Iris Street) spoke against the zoning change for Beauvoir Villas (Boulevard Villas), arguing that similar units at Monarch Villas remain unsold, that the builder (Elliott Holmes) has a history of changing plans after approval, and that the proposed density is too high. She urged denial.
Speaker from the Second Liners thanked the mayor and council for support of a backpack giveaway event that distributed 400 backpacks and provided food.
Steve Shepard (Gulf Coast Group Chair, Sierra Club) opposed the Beauvoir Villas subdivision, stating it lacks sufficient open space—less than 5% set aside, falling more than 100,000 square feet short of the 20% minimum required by law.
Mike Capanal (134 St. Jude) spoke against the development, citing a Change.org petition with 330 signatures (mostly Biloxi residents). He noted the proposed 232 two-story homes on 1,500 sq ft lots—denser than mobile home zoning—and argued the PDR designation is being misused to bypass zoning laws. He also stated the open space shortfall.
Bobby Heinrich (representing the developer) stated that the project has worked with the DRC, answered all concerns, and received a 15-1 vote at the Planning Commission. He claimed the density numbers cited by opponents are incorrect, that the project meets density requirements, and that it will be a gated community with single-family homes (not rentals), preserving live oaks.
Daisy Gayton (334 Free Art Street) raised a concern about garbage cans left out by city crews, impeding sidewalk work, and praised police for ticketing cars parked on sidewalks.
Sherry (170 Hours Street) opposed the development, noting that existing homes on the beach remain unsold, and that the property cleared for the school has been overgrown again, attracting homeless individuals.
Carol Dean Drew Teague (2507 Orleans Road) spoke against the development, citing traffic impacts on Pass Road and smaller streets.
Sean Legate (334 Thayer Street) expressed frustration with lack of affordable housing and asked when something affordable would be built.
A former housing authority board member (appointed by the mayor) urged support for the development, noting a need for housing and that people are struggling to find affordable homes.

Discussion Items

Zoning Map Amendment – Beauvoir Villas (Boulevard Villas): The council considered a first reading of an ordinance to rezone property at 2003 Lawrence Street from RS-10 to PDR to allow a 213-lot single-family residential subdivision. After a motion and second to move the item for discussion, the council discussed whether a motion was required. The chair clarified that no motion was made. Consequently, the item did not proceed; no vote was taken.
Zoning Change – 1732 and 1736 Beach Boulevard: A proposal to rezone two parcels from Waterfront to Community Business (C-B) to allow an upscale car wash and future development (e.g., hotel). Councilman Creel explained the parcels are too small for casino development and the new zoning is appropriate. Councilman Tisdale asked about parcel sizes and future plans. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution for HVAC Contract – Grewwich Community Center: A resolution authorizing a contract with DNP for HVAC replacement at the Grewwich Community Center. Councilman Marshall questioned the use of CDBG-CV funds, arguing the money should have been used for direct assistance to low-income residents (e.g., roof repairs, housing aid) rather than infrastructure. He noted that the funds were originally meant to help those affected by COVID and that the city had other funding sources for capital projects. The mayor and staff defended the project as eligible and approved by HUD. After extensive debate, the resolution was moved and seconded, but the transcript ends before a final vote is recorded.

Key Outcomes

No action on Beauvoir Villas rezoning: The item failed to receive a motion to move forward; effectively denied or tabled.
Unanimous approval of waterfront rezoning (1732 and 1736 Beach Boulevard) to C-B.
HVAC resolution status unclear: The resolution was moved and seconded, but the meeting transcript concludes during discussion; the outcome of the vote is not recorded.

Meeting Transcript

Promoting citywide volunteerism. We will also keep it small and manageable. We want to take a positive approach to the issues and the growth. This is not a finger point committee. This is a Let's Help Committee. And I think working together, we can accomplish that is our Biloxi is our harbors. And together we can make Biloxi brighter and shine more than ever, especially our harbors. I look forward to speaking with you all soon. And thank you for your consideration. Thank you. Anyone else on my left, your right? Raise your hand to be recognized. Anyone on my right, your left? Yes, ma'am, in the back. Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Laurie Silvestro. I live at 181 Iris Street. Normally my husband is here, but he's away on business, so I'm going to be his voice today. Um, but I'm here to speak about the uh plan for the zoning change for the Beauvoir villas. Um I know that the builder has modified the plan to 200 plus homes. Um, but it just doesn't seem to make sense to me. Uh Monarch Villas, a much smaller scale of what's planned for Beauvoir, uh, remain unsold. Um at least 20 of them remain unsold, and these were constructed in 2024. So why build 200 more? Uh the builder has also had a history of presenting plans for one thing and then changing it after the construction starts. For example, coral breeze, same villas, with more green space on a beach. Um please recall that these villas were not the original plan for coral breeze. There was a heated city council meeting around change requests made by Elliott Holmes and the approved uh plans for the record were for a higher end coastal apartment complex, but Elliot never built to that plan. He went and built the villas and then asked for forgiveness later. I don't trust this builder to hold to the plans that would be approved. So I respectfully ask the council to consider denying the zoning change request from an RS10 to a PD. Remember the purpose of a PD is to improve an area. Our neighbors have worked tirelessly to make sure that they have land owners around us took responsibility to clear the the broad water, even though it has overgrown again. Uh we've picked up trash, we you know have always requested that the vacant school property be maintained. We've worked very hard for our neighborhood and surrounding area uh to show improvement, and I do not believe that Elliott Homes or Meritage, whatever name it will be under, is going to have Biloxi's best interests at hearts in this case. And um I just want to say that I think the true plan that Elliot has is hidden. It's not revealed. And if you change to a PD, what are the like what's the likelihood of him changing his plans into anything that he wants? So I just respectfully ask that you take serious consideration in what's best for Biloxi and not for the builder's pockets. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone on my right, lady in the red. And I want to come here to thank the mayor and the councilman for your part in helping us acquire uh big support on two Saturdays ago. What we did was we gave away 400 backpacks to the community. Uh we fed them, we had hot dogs, chips, sodas, ice cream, and snowballs, and it was a great event. And I just want to reach out to you and just say thank you. We did use the man's bathroom because that was the only one that was accessible to us because one of them is not working as Mr. Moore said. So everything was a great success, and I just wanted to thank you for that from the second liners. Thank you.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com