A long-running dispute over a former golf course in Jackson County has come to an end, clearing the way for a Gulf Coast RV resort that developers say will become the largest in Mississippi. After two years of legal challenges, the state’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the county acted within the law when it approved the Ocean Springs Islands RV Resort.
In what some may consider a twist, some who formerly opposed the resort have changed their tune after the court’s decision. Read on.
A long legal road
The conflict began when Jackson County approved a special exception allowing an RV resort on land zoned for Planned Unit Developments. Opponents argued the zoning ordinance “outright prohibited RVs” and took the case to court.
The battle stretched from the Planning Commission’s 2023 recommendation, to the Board of Supervisors’ approval, to Circuit Court Judge Keith Miller’s ruling, and finally to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Residents who fought the project said the development would disturb their neighborhood’s character and strain infrastructure. Eamon Mohiuddin, who appealed the county’s decision, said after the ruling, “We’re disappointed by the opinion of the Supreme Court…. It did not give thousands of people justice in Gulf Park Estates. It was an opinion based mostly on politics.”
Supreme Court affirms the county acted legally
The state’s high court disagreed with the challengers at every point. Justices ruled that the county’s zoning ordinance does allow special exceptions for uses not otherwise listed and gives supervisors explicit authority to grant them. The court emphasized that the ordinance says RVs are “not permitted,” not “strictly prohibited.”
The ruling also noted that Jackson County presented substantial evidence supporting the exception, especially regarding the property’s flood-prone nature. According to the opinion, the developer showed the land was far more suitable for recreational use than for traditional residential construction, and that mitigation measures and road improvements would address flooding and traffic issues.
The decision “gives the green light for development to proceed,” and developers say they have expected this outcome. “We’ve been confident in our position from the very beginning,” said developer and investor Adam Dial.
What the resort will offer
With the legal hurdles now cleared, builders plan to transform the old golf course into a full-scale coastal RV destination. The resort will feature:
- 476 RV sites
- 20 resort-owned Airstreams
- 16 elevated “treehouses”
- Pools
- A lazy river
- Dog parks
- Pickleball and volleyball courts
- A clubhouse and additional recreation areas
Dial said the resort aims to become a major attraction on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “We’re really looking forward to bringing this great destination development to both the citizens of Jackson County and visitors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” he said.
Developers expect the resort to open between late 2026 and early 2027, a timeline that aligns with the county’s ongoing road-widening project on Beach View Drive. Dial said road work “should be completed by the time the park opens.”
One critic now supports the project
Community reactions remain mixed, but not all early critics have stayed that way. Nicholas Kennedy, who initially opposed the resort, changed his view after meeting with the developer and hearing the full plan.
“There will be some growing pains, as with anything like the roadwork we are experiencing right now. It’s going to be worth it in the end,” Kennedy said. “It’s a coastal town. It thrives on tourism, and that’s what we need is more of it.”
Other residents share cautious optimism. Gulf Park Estates homeowner Lois Keefe said, “I am excited about it, and it’s been a long journey to be excited about.” She added that even on busy weekends, “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”
Some neighbors remain wary of added traffic, and long-time resident James Hester summed up that tension well: “Definitely have some concerns with it, but I am open to it also, depending on how the management runs it, I guess.”
What’s next
With final approval in hand, construction will begin in earnest. The developer calls the court battle “a long and unnecessary legal battle,” but now focuses on delivering what they describe as Mississippi’s most ambitious RV destination yet.
If all stays on schedule, RVers traveling the Gulf Coast in late 2026 or early 2027 may find a sprawling new resort waiting for them—complete with Airstream rentals, waterfront attractions, and amenities built for the booming RV tourism trade.
Sources include WLOX, SunHerald, WXXV25.
RELATED
- You tell us: What’s the difference between campgrounds, RV parks and RV resorts?
- The best (mostly) 55+ RV resorts from Michigan to Idaho
- RV resort employee starts wildfire, resort owners face huge costs
- Adults-only Wisconsin Dells RV resort for those 21+
- Adults-only and other RV park restrictions. What do you think about these?
RVT1236b
