Opponents of a plan to remove 28 protected trees in Biloxi posted a social media call to action on Sept. 23, 2026, in preparation for a public hearing to be held by the city council.
According to Facebook posts on the pages for Biloxi Politics Uncensored and the Mississippi Plant Guy, the Biloxi City Council will hold an appeal hearing over the proposed removal of the protected trees for the Black Marlin Casino on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the second floor council chambers in city hall at 140 Lameuse Street.
The post notes: “This will be the public’s opportunity to speak directly to the seven Council members who will ultimately decide whether the tree-removal decision stands. The Council can affirm, modify, or reverse a decision brought before it on appeal.”
Biloxi’s Planning Commission on Sept. 3, 2026, voted unanimously to approve the removal of the trees, including 25 mature live oaks, some of which are believed to be more than a century old, from the property near U.S. 90 and Veterans Avenue. According to the post, “Opposition has continued to grow since that vote, with residents amassing 784 signatures on a Change.org petition opposing the removal as of this morning.” The post says the issue “is not about whether Biloxi should have economic development or whether another casino should ever be built. The question before City Council is whether development of this particular site requires removing all 28 protected trees, or whether more of the existing trees can be incorporated into the project, including within the parking lot. Biloxi created its tree protections to preserve live oaks, Southern magnolias and other important parts of the city’s natural landscape while still allowing responsible development. Ultimately, City Council will decide whether RW Development is meeting that standard.”
If the city council upholds the planning commission vote, the developer will be required to mitigate the destruction by planting as many as 209 trees, making payments into the city’s tree fund, or a combination of the two.
The Mississippi Independent previously reported that the city council was expected to take up the matter at its Sept. 15, 2026, meeting. The issue was subsequently discussed at its Sept. 22 meeting and the public hearing was set for Oct. 6.
Images: Threatened trees (posted on Biloxi Politics Uncensored Facebook page); opponents’ call to action (via Facebook)