In front of a packed board room, the Brookhaven Board of Alderman voted 5-2 to approve the city planning commission’s recommendation to allow a special use distinction (S-1) for an assisted living facility to be built by Advanced Healthcare Management Inc. on Silver Cross Drive.

Ward 6 Six Alderman David Phillips made the motion contingent upon Advanced Healthcare’s compliance with the requirements of an S-1 distinction. Phillips specifically mentioned the requirements to have preliminary and final plats and construction plans approved. No road access will be allowed to Meadowbrook Drive and an eight-foot wooden fence will surround the property. Phillips also said a 30-foot natural greenery buffer area will be required.

All S-1 requirements must be met before the final plat is approved and S-1 designation is given.

The motion was seconded by Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates.

Fletcher Grice, Ward Five alderman, begin the discussion by voicing the opinions of his constituents in Meadowbrook.

“I would like to start off by saying this has never been an attempt to stop an assisted living facility from being built in Brookhaven. This is about the location of the facility,” he said, referring to objections that have been voiced by residents of the Meadowbrook neighborhood, some of whom were at Tuesday’s meeting. The neighborhood is in Ward Five.

“Look at the struggle it has taken to get to where we are tonight,” Grice said. “Surely there could have been an easier way that would have promoted harmony and unity in our community.” Grice was one of the two aldermen voting against the proposal Tuesday night.

Alderman-at-Large Karen Sullivan also went on to vote against the motion, said during her five years on the board, the aldermen have heard several similar cases and the neighborhoods have prevailed.

“One thing has been in common: the fear of encroachment,” she said.

Ward 4 Alderman Shirley Estes closed the discussion in support of the assisted living facility.

“Time and time again there’s been one reason or another,” she said. “Maybe now is the time.”

Sullivan and Grice both voted against the motion.

Mayor Joe Cox ended with his appreciation for everyone in the matter.

“We respect everyone’s opinion and are appreciative of your attendance tonight,” he said.

Both Grice and Phillips voiced gratitude for the planning commission’s work and difficult decision. The commission approved the S-1 distinction at its meeting last Thursday and passed the recommendation on to the aldermen for approval.

Grice also thanked the board of alderman for their continuing work. “Some decisions are harder to make, and I appreciate each of y’all,” he said.

Joe Fernald, city attorney, addressed an error made in a previous meeting concerning the planning commission. The minutes of the aldermen meeting for Aug. 20, 2013, did not reflect the appointment of Dave Pace to the planning commission. The minutes did reflect Kristy Sessums’ appointment. Fernald entered into evidence that his notes from the meeting indicated Pace’s appointment. He also entered into evidence the minutes of the planning commission identifying both Sessums and Pace as new members.

Fernald said the board has the right to correct the minutes, and it is known as correcting a Scribner’s error. Bates affirmed that this has been done in the past.

The board unanimously approved.

Brookhaven Fire Chief Tony Weeks thanked King’s Daughters Medical Center for supplying approximately $750 worth of CPR training for firefighters.

Estes also turned in a work order to have the ditch cleared out where the alligator was found Monday afternoon.

In other board matters, they voted to approve:

• The hiring of Malcolm Edward Middleton as a part-time employee until October in the Cemetery Department.

• An off-road diesel bid from James Case Oil for 301.90.

• The issuance of a check to Lincoln County in the amount of $25,000 for repairs on Industrial Park Road.

• An agreement with the South Mississippi Narcotics Unit for the year 2014-2015.