Legal hearing begins between city of Madison and Gluckstadt to annex over 350 acres

Legal hearing begins between city of Madison and Gluckstadt to annex over 350 acres

Legal hearing begins between city of Madison and Gluckstadt to annex over 350 acres

Legal hearing begins between city of Madison and Gluckstadt to annex over 350 acres

Legal hearing begins between city of Madison and Gluckstadt to annex over 350 acres

Published: Feb. 4, 2025 at 10:35 AM CST|Updated: 1 hour ago

MADISON CO., Miss. (WLBT) – Legal proceedings have begun between the city of Madison and Gluckstadt as the two cities seek to annex land between their current city limits.

The fight is for over 350 acres, approximately four square miles worth of land that sits between both Madison and Gluckstadt, with two quickly growing cities eager to add the property to their city limits.

The Reunion Parkway Expansion Project is in the middle of the property.

On Monday, a Madison County judge began to hear arguments to decide whose city limits could increase.

The city of Madison was the first to present its arguments, using residents from the proposed annexed area to testify on their behalf.

“I was very pleased that I saw back in May of 2023, that the city of Madison had filed their annexation petition because that meant we had another voice that would stand behind us, that would protect our property values in regards to massive commercial development that butts against our subdivision,” Belle Terre Neighborhood resident Jane Cory explained.

The Belle Terre neighborhood is next to Gluckstadt Road.

The proposed annexation property was zoned Commercial, or C-2, by the Board of Supervisors in 2023.

The designation allows for anything from Supermarkets to big box stores, to restaurants, and to car lots to be developed on the property.

That is something Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler claims she would not consider.

“The county C-2 is a lot different from the Madison C-2. The first thing I would want us to do is to get with the property owners, sit down, and ask what is your vision for your property. It’s your property and we want to make sure that this is the best north entrance to the city for Madison,” Mayor Hawkins-Butler told the judge.

According to Cory, after taking a general survey from fellow residents, 97 percent of those living in the Belle Tare neighborhood petitioned to be annexed by Madison.

Residents in Cherry Grove Plantation and Ingleside were also highly in favor.

“We identify more with Madison and we can see with our own eyes what Madison has been able to do. It’s been a slow, methodical method that the mayor has developed over the years. You can’t question what she has done,” Cherry Grove Plantation resident Pam Smith said.

According to attorneys, the city of Madison will likely take several days to provide arguments to the Chancery Court Judge.

After they are complete, the city of Gluckstadt will be able to offer their arguments as to why all this property should be incorporated into their city limits.

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