The Ellisville Board of Aldermen denied a variance request by a potential restaurant owner Tuesday night. The board voted 3-2 to deny Jocelyn McGilberry’s request, which would have allowed her to renovate the former J. B. Young residence into a restaurant.

The only support for the variance came from aldermen Walter Clark and Aaron Heidelberg. Voting against McGilberry’s request were James Holifield, Doug Landrum and Frank Williams.

Following the meeting, McGilberry — an Ellisville native and assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Mississippi — said she is not giving up her dream of owning an upscale restaurant in her hometown.

“I wont stop with this,” she said. “I will pursue it.”

There is no process by which to appeal the board’s decision. Further action would have to come in the form of a lawsuit against the city in Jones County Chancery Court.

“It’s very disturbing that there are other businesses in town that are being granted variances. I never thought the city would not allow a business to come to town,” said McGilberry

“It’s (granting variances) in the code book,” Clark said following the meeting. “It’s all over town. I’m very much disappointed that we did not allow the variance. It’s a very worthwhile venture. We need a nice sit-down restaurant in Ellisville. This would be an ideal place and would not adversely effect any parties at all. From the point of growth, this town needs to anticipate its future needs.

“This young lady grew up here,” Clark said. “At South Jones, she brought fame here. I think it’s a slap in the face.”

McGilberry was a two-time all-state basketball performer at South Jones High School, and played college ball at Auburn University. She was the starting co-captain on Auburn’s 1988-89 SEC championship team that advanced to the NCAA finals. During her time at Auburn, the Lady Tigers compiled a 119-13 record, won three SEC regular-season titles and were two-time NCAA finalists.

“I’d like to have a quality restaurant in Ellisville,” Mayor Tim Waldrup said Wednesday morning. “A variance, as far as I know, is legal. They have been given as long as cities have been around. Variances are given everywhere. That’s not really spot zoning.”

Waldrup said the board denied a variance on the same property less than a year ago on a request from a different property owner — the owner who sold the property to McGilberry.

“At least they’ve (council members) have been consistent,” said McGilberry.

Bert Martineau, a homeowner adjacent to the proposed restaurant, and Randy Laird, a homeowner on an adjacent block, spoke against granting the variance.

In other action, aldermen discussed a variance request for a smaller setback for a planned Auto Zone to be constructed off Hill Street approximately three blocks west of the traffic light on Highway 11. The variance will be granted if a privacy fence is constructed.

Waldrup also said Wednesday morning that an O’Rileys Auto Parts store is planned for construction behind Ellisville Drugs. Tentative opening is planned for December, according to a corporate spokesman.