Practice English Speaking&Listening with: State Supreme Court rules against Ridgeland in Costco zoning fight

COSTCO PLANS TO BUILD A NEW STORE ON THIS SPOT OFF I-55 IN RIDGELAND COULD BE IN LIMBO.

THIS AFTER CITY LEADERS PUSHING THE CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT WERE DEALT A HUGE LEGAL DEFEAT.

>> GOT THE SUPREME COURT DID RIGHT.

>> THE CITY DIDN’T FOLLOW THEIR OWN ORDINANCES.

>> AND IT SEEMS THAT IT WAS DONE SORT OF IN THE DARK.

ROSS: THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULED THURSDAY IN FAVOR OF HOMEOWNERS FIGHTING TO KEEP COSTCO OUT OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

JUSTICES RULED THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ILLEGALLY REZONED THIS SITE SO THAT THE BIG BOX STORE COULD BUILD ON HIGHLAND COLONY PARKWAY.

AND THE HIGH COURT SAID THE ZONING CHANGES WERE ENTIRELY DESIGNED TO SUIT COSTCO.

>> THEY TRY TO CHANGE THEM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A REQUEST OF A BUSINESS AND DIDN’T LOOK AFTER WHAT THEY HAD SAID THEY WERE GOING TO DO FOR THE RESIDENTS.

ROSS: SHELDON ALSTON REPRESENTED NINE HOMEOWNERS WHO APPEALED A MADISON COUNTY JUDGE’S DECISION THAT GAVE THE CITY THE GO AHEAD.

>> IT’S ABOUT THEM COMING IN WITH A GAS STATION AND FAST FOOD AND DRIVE-THROUGH RESTAURANTS.

ROSS: MAYOR GENE MCGEE SAID IN A STATEMENT THEY RESPECT THE COURT’S OPINION BUT WERE DISAPPOINTED IN THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE.

>> I HAVE NO PROBLEMS IF COSCO WANTS TO COME, I JUST DON’T THINK THAT A THREAT PLACE.

MAINLY BECAUSE IT WASN’T ZONED FOR IT.