A new burning ordinance primarily aimed at builders and developers has been approved and is awaiting a public hearing before taking effect.

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors approved the recommendation from the county planning commission this week. The new ordinance will require anyone wanting to burn “trash or land-clearing debris within any development, subdivision, apartment, commercial or condominium complex in the unincorporated areas of the county” to obtain a burn permit from the Lafayette County Fire Department prior to burning.

A public hearing will be April 4.

The county building inspector must be contacted to receive an application for a burn permit. The burn permit application, which will cost $150, will then be turned over to the county fire department which will inspect the site where burning is scheduled to take place and will issue the permit if weather conditions are suitable, and the site has met all requirements set by the county and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Contractors and builders are prohibited from burning construction debris of any kind, such as roofing materials, lumber, felt paper, foam and synthetic and plastic materials.

A sufficient water supply must also be available and the burn site must be attended at all times. Burning shall also not exceed the time allotted on the permit.

Violators could face a fine up to $500 for each violation, as well as a stop work order issued on the construction project.

Road work approved

Jeff Williams with Williams Engineering came before the board representing the developer of Callicutt Farms. The developer proposed roadway improvements near the entrance to the development that have been up for consideration.

Williams came before the board two weeks ago with the same proposal that was tabled until more detailed information could be presented to the board. This week he presented details to the board outlining exactly what will be done to improve the road.

County Road 300 is in the long-range plans of the city to connect South Lamar Boulevard with Old Taylor Road. Williams said during the development of Callicutt Farms it became necessary to make that connection with County Road 300.

According to Williams, the new road will be known as Oxford Way as it goes through the city and connects with South Lamar Boulevard.

Williams said they are proposing to widen the road from 16 feet to 20 feet to make it more consistent.

“We’re going to do a trench widening process, which will be four inches of limestone with three and a half inches of asphalt on top of that,” Williams said.

Rather than an inch and a half of overlay, county engineer Larry Britt suggested it be two inches. He also would like for them to do the trench widening and then do the new roadwork after construction vehicles have used the existing road.

“That would make me feel a little better without knowing exactly what’s going to happen out there for a while,” Britt told the board.

Williams agreed to both suggestions from Britt.

The board members were grateful for the work that will be done with no cost to taxpayers.

Williams said work would start as soon as possible. He added that work on the development site that prompted the construction of the road is due to begin next month.