Opinion ID: 1564070
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Factor 7: Whether the population of the PIA shows an increase and continuity of settlement.

Text: ¶ 41. The chancellor found that the revised PIA contains a large concentration of population with various businesses, including churches, schools, libraries, parks, a volunteer fire department, civic clubs, and a post office. The chancellor also relied on expert testimony that established the population in the PIA has been increasing as families and businesses move into the area. The chancellor concluded that the area outside the revised PIA has not experienced the same continuity of settlement and growth. ¶ 42. The chancellor heard testimony that the population had exploded in the PIA over the past six years, with the voter rolls tripling since 1989. Steve Reno, a major-account service manager for Entergy, testified that Entergy built a substation about ten years ago in the Byram area to accommodate the growth. Joseph Lustek compiled vital statistics for the PIA and found in 2000 the area contained 4,813 single-family homes, 310 manufactured homes, and four apartment complexes. However, the area east of Interstate 55 and the southern portion of the PIA contains little residential development. Much of the area east of Interstate 55 lies in a flood plain, with a very low population density. This Court finds that substantial evidence supports the chancellor's determination that the revised PIA shows an increase and continuity of settlement.