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Board approves preliminary plat for Highland Lake subdivision; public streets replace planned gated community
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved a preliminary plat for Highland Lake that converts originally planned gated private streets into public streets, requires sidewalk construction and a six-foot fence along the northern boundary, and keeps the previously approved 20 single-family lot layout.
The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen on July 15 approved a preliminary plat for the Highland Lake subdivision, allowing roughly 6.94 acres to be divided into 20 single-family lots and two common open spaces. The developer’s plan keeps the lot count and road configuration from the 2022 project master plan but changes private gated streets to public streets, which triggers sidewalk requirements and other public-infrastructure upgrades. Why it matters: The conversion from private gated streets to public streets means the developer will construct 30 feet of pavement and sidewalks along the roadways and will improve an 18-foot drive in an existing public right-of-way to a public two-way street, staff said. City staff told the board that sidewalks within public right-of-way would be maintained by the city, while sidewalks located in common open space would be maintained by the homeowners association. Staff said the Highland Lake master plan, approved with the project text in 2022, already called for 20 lots with an average lot size near 7,500 square feet and a six-foot fence along the northern boundary; the preliminary-plat approval carries those elements forward. Planning commission review recommended the plat unanimously with 14 conditions, including installation of the fence and a requirement that minimum house sizes and masonry requirements follow the project text at final plat. Board members asked for clarifications about who will maintain sidewalks and whether the developer will be required to widen and improve the existing stub road; staff confirmed the developer will widen the public right-of-way to 30 feet of pavement and construct the required sidewalks as part of subdivision infrastructure installation. Action and next steps: Alderman Wallace moved to approve the preliminary plat as presented; Alderman Dickerson seconded. The board voted in favor. The developer will return with civil site plans and final-plat materials for staff review and must satisfy the planning commission’s 14 recommended conditions before final plat recordation.
