Gulfport mayor vetoes tree removal permit for local business
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) – Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes vetoed a tree removal permit granted to a property owner, who asked to cut down five Live oak trees on one of Pass Road’s few shaded properties.
The Sun Herald reports Hewes issued the veto as a follow-up to his announcement made Friday in a speech to the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, in which he said he planned to veto the city council’s 5-2 vote allowing the property owner Dennis Barber to take out the trees for a parking lot.
Barber reportedly planned to rescind his request, but as of Monday had not.
The office building, the former home of Gulf Regional Planning Commission, already has parking in the rear. Barber said front parking would make the building more marketable.
