Olive Branch aldermen approve rezoning for Acree Farms subdivision, preliminary plat approved; final plat tabled

The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen voted to rezone two parcels totaling about 28.58 acres from AR (Agricultural Residential) to R‑01 (single‑family residential) and approved a preliminary plat for the proposed Acree Farms subdivision, which would create 71 single‑family lots and two common open spaces.

The rezoning and preliminary plat were the product of months of revisions and neighborhood meetings; planning staff and the developer agreed to conditions addressing lot sizes, house design, buffers and traffic mitigation before the board’s votes. Alderman Hamilton moved to follow the planning commission’s recommendation to rezone the property; Alderman Collins seconded the motion, and the board voted in favor.

Dr. Song, acting as the planning staff presenter, told the board the two parcels are vacant and sit north of Hamilton Place and west of Ivy Trail. He said the city’s comprehensive plan designates the area as “suburban neighborhood” and that the proposed lot sizes align with that designation.

“The future land use map in the comprehensive plan designates these two parcels … as suburban neighborhood,” Dr. Song said during the staff presentation, explaining the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation for the rezoning.

The preliminary plat shown to the board divides roughly 25.59 acres into 71 single‑family lots with minimum lot sizes around 12,500 square feet (the smallest lot shown is about 12,504 square feet), minimum lot frontage of 85 feet, and a developer proposal that homes have a minimum heated area of 2,000 square feet. The plat includes a walking trail around a stormwater detention pond and a gazebo, a 25‑foot buffer along the northern property line with a six‑foot stained cedar fence with brick columns, and a requirement that 75% of building wall material on main stories be masonry‑type material (stone or brick) where specified.

Neighbors spoke both for and against the project during the public hearing. Jeanette Owens, who lives on Hummingbird Drive, told the board she and other residents withdrew a petition opposing the development after the developer accepted recommended changes.

"We are for progress. We simply believe that progress is strongest when residents are involved and our voices help shape the outcome," Jeanette Owens said, identifying herself as an impacted resident.

Other residents voiced safety and traffic concerns. Bobby Barrett, who lives on North Hamilton Circle, told the board he remains concerned about speeding and existing congestion on Hamilton Circle and asked that any traffic impacts be closely studied. “Actually, just this past week, I had a near miss,” Barrett said.

The developer’s team — represented at the meeting by Ron Roberts and engineers Corey Brady and Chance Walker — told the board they had worked with planning staff and the neighborhood to reach the current proposal. “We did work real hard with Song and the community to try to address their concerns,” Ron Roberts said.

Corey Brady, one of the applicant’s engineers, confirmed streets fronting the development would be built to city standards. “All of the frontage of Hummingbird Drive on our side of the road will be improved per the city standard, per the subdivision regulations, curb, gutter, and sidewalk,” Brady said.

Several technical conditions were added or emphasized by staff and reflected in the planning commission’s and staff’s recommendations to the board: the developer must submit a traffic study to the city engineer to assess whether a northbound left‑turn lane at the Craft Road–Hamilton Circle intersection is needed and to quantify any required improvements and costs; utilities (water, sewer and gas) are available but relocations may be required for stormwater facilities; two 2‑ to 2.5‑inch caliber trees are to be planted in the front of each lot prior to occupancy; certain lots along Hummingbird Drive and Hamilton Circle will be two‑story with site‑loaded garages; the developer agreed to dedicate right of way for the future extension of Mary Drive at final plat; and covenants and restrictions will incorporate the development standards.

Alderman Hamilton moved approval of the rezoning, saying the area’s character has changed over the past 25–30 years and the request aligns with the comprehensive plan; Alderman Collins seconded. The board’s roll call at the start of the meeting showed a full quorum present; the board voted in favor of the rezoning.

A separate motion to approve the Acree Farms preliminary plat was moved by Alderman Dickerson, seconded by Alderman Gamage, and also carried.

The board did not take the final plat for the development at this meeting; staff explained the rezoning and the plat are separate procedural items. The applicant’s final plat / site plan will need to incorporate the covenants and conditions discussed and return for final approval. The board and staff asked for a traffic study and additional engineering details to be reviewed by the city engineer before final plat approval.

Why it matters: the rezoning and preliminary plat formalize a transition of this property from one‑acre agricultural residential lots to a higher‑density suburban single‑family subdivision. Conditions negotiated with neighbors limit certain design elements (minimum home size, masonry percentages, buffer, tree plantings and landscape screening) and require engineering work (traffic study, stormwater and utility coordination) before final platting.

Looking ahead: staff will require the traffic study and concurrent review of draft covenants and restrictions at final plat submission. The developer and planning staff will continue working with neighbors on sidewalk and right‑of‑way questions along Hamilton Circle; the board asked staff to study widening and pedestrian connections along Hamilton Circle as a separate potential public improvement.