Planning commission approves multiple plats, tables Murphy Oil rezoning to Oct. 14

The Olive Branch Planning Commission on Aug. 26 approved a slate of final and preliminary plats and motions affecting subdivision and development throughout the city while tabling a zoning map amendment for a proposed convenience store with fuel pumps until the commission—s Oct. 14 meeting.

Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of the commission—s previous meeting and voted on multiple subdivision applications, forwarding larger or technically complex items to the Board of Aldermen where required. The actions included final-plat approvals for two minor subdivisions and a recommendation on the Olive Branch Logistics Park final plat, approval of a preliminary plat for the Marguerite Manor commercial area (phase 2), and final-plat approval for two lots intended for a Waffle House restaurant. The commission also accepted a request from the applicant for the Murphy Oil property rezoning to table that item until Oct. 14, 2025.

The votes were largely procedural and carried without recorded opposition. Several approvals were conditioned on standard staff requirements such as recording the plat, completing specified improvements, posting financial guarantees or letters of credit for public improvements, and meeting building-setback and driveway paving requirements. The Waffle House final-plat approval was amended to require the applicant to work with an engineer on street lighting and to avoid naming the public street "Waffle Way." The commission also reiterated previously imposed buffering and fence requirements for the Marguerite Manor commercial area.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of Aug. 12, 2025, meeting minutes — Motion by Diane Singer; seconded by Dion Jones; outcome: approved (7-0). - Zoning map amendment for property at 7015 Hacks Crossroads (Murphy Oil) to rezone from PUD to C-2 for a convenience store and fuel pumps — Motion to table to the Oct. 14, 2025 meeting by Dion Jones; seconded by (Ms.) Long; outcome: tabled (7-0). - Haygood Minor Lot Subdivision (final plat) — subdivide ~5.88 acres into 3 lots; motion to approve subject to staff conditions 1—6 by Dion Jones; seconded by Diane Singer; outcome: approved (7-0). - Sergio's Auto Repair Subdivision (final plat) — combine two partial lots into one 2.07-acre lot in M-2 zoning; motion to approve subject to staff conditions by Steve Stratton; seconded by Janice Lewis; outcome: approved (7-0). - Olive Branch Logistics Park, Lot 1 (final plat recommendation to Board of Aldermen) — subdivide 72.33 acres into a ~67.88-acre lot and ~4.45 acres of right-of-way for Kirk Road widening and South Crossroad Drive extension; motion to recommend approval subject to prior preliminary-plat conditions by Dion Jones; seconded by Donnie Singh; outcome: recommended to Board of Aldermen (7-0). - Marguerite Manor Commercial Center, Phase 2 (preliminary plat) — subdivide ~14.18 acres into ~13 commercial lots; motion to approve preliminary plat subject to staff conditions (profile, sidewalks, buffers) (mover not specified in transcript); outcome: approved (7-0). - Marguerite Manor Retail, Lots 4 & 5 (final plat) — create two commercial lots of approximately 0.55 and 1.08 acres to accommodate a Waffle House on Lot 4; motion to approve subject to staff conditions 1—9 and to add that the applicant will work with the engineer on lighting for the public road and that the street name not be "Waffle Way" by Dion Jones; seconded by Janice Lewis; outcome: approved (7-0). - Motion to adjourn — Motion by Dion Jones; seconded by Donnie Singh; outcome: approved (7-0).

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the approvals are contingent on completion of standard subdivision obligations: recording plats before issuance of building permits, construction or financial guarantees for off-site road improvements, and adherence to buffering or setback rules where nonconforming structures exist. For larger projects such as Olive Branch Logistics Park, staff noted the likely need for a letter of credit to secure road and utility work and anticipated coordination with utilities on potential overhead transmission lines.

The commission also heard a staff announcement that a long-serving planning staff member will depart at the end of September; the member—s name and contact were not provided on the record.