The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen voted to approve the final plat for Center Hill Farm subdivision Phase 1, allowing 88 single-family residential lots across roughly 48.28 acres, contingent on a list of staff conditions intended to secure public improvements.

Planning staff presented the application for Phase 1, describing 88 single-family detached lots with the smallest parcel at 8,916 square feet and multiple common open spaces for stormwater management. The staff presentation noted that utilities and most internal street sections had work completed, but required that the first lift of asphalt be laid on all streets included in the final plat — including an expansion of Sanahir Road — before the city would issue building permits for properties in this phase.

Staff also flagged a need for additional assurances before plat recording: the developer must submit a letter of credit in an amount to be determined by the city engineer plus a 25% contingency to cover unfinished public improvements or corrections. Planning staff said covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) would be reviewed to ensure no language contradicted the city’s approval conditions. The planning commission previously recommended approval of the final plat following its review on June 10; staff confirmed the final plat conforms with the preliminary plat approved Aug. 20, 2024.

The presentation noted three lots that touch a FEMA-designated floodplain along the subdivision’s southern edge. Staff said only a small portion of those lots is in the floodplain, that the developable area for houses would be above the top bank of the ditch and that typical bank-side conditions may prompt lenders to require flood insurance for buyers. Planning staff advised surveyors must show finished-floor elevations for any lots adjoining the flood plain.

Nick Crunen of Civil Link LLC represented the applicant, Center Hill Development LLC (property owner Johnny McBride). Crunen told the board the developer expected completion of outstanding widening work on Center Hill Road within a day of the meeting and that other inspections for utilities (water, gas) were completed or pending final inspection.

Alderman Dale Dickerson made a motion to approve the final plat as presented; Jan Aldridge seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor and approved the plat “as submitted” with the staff conditions in place.

The board record requires that no building permits be issued in Phase 1 until the first lift of asphalt has been placed on the required street sections; the recorded plat will be subject to the letter-of-credit requirement and CC&R review.