Olive Branch board approves final plat for Robertson Crossing Area 9 to preserve vested convenience-store rights

Mayor Adman and the Olive Branch Board of Aldermen on July 15 approved a final plat for Area 9 of the Robinson Crossing commercial subdivision that reduces a previously proposed three-lot layout to two lots to accommodate a convenience store with fuel pumps and an attached car wash. The change was made so the convenience store and car wash could be on the same lot and satisfy Robinson Crossing project text requirements, staff said. Mr. Song, a city planning staff member, told the board the subdivision request was before the city because the applicant seeks to record the final plat before a Sept. 30, 2025 deadline that preserves vested rights for convenience stores with pumps in certain PUDs. Why it matters: Under the city and DeSoto County rules cited in staff remarks, the Robinson Crossing project text treats car washes as accessory to a convenience store and requires accessory uses to be on the same lot as the principal use. If the final plat is not recorded by Sept. 30, 2025, Staff said the property will lose its vested right to proceed without a conditional use permit and would need to obtain a conditional use approval under the new regulations. The board’s action was procedural: the city’s subdivision review focuses on lot partitioning and infrastructure availability, not the specific tenant. Mr. Song said the planning review found utilities, sewer, water and adequate road capacity in place and that lot sizes meet the DeSoto County minimum of 20,000 square feet for the reference C-4 district. The planning commission had unanimously recommended approval subject to six conditions of recordation, architecture review and related requirements. Applicant Shane King, an engineering intern for Houston Engineering, described the lot consolidation and said the project will keep required cross-access easements and add a shared detention easement for stormwater outfall to the east. Barry Bridgeforth Jr., representing the applicant interest, said he and staff were working with residents on outstanding concerns and expected to return on related matters. Formal action: Alderman Hamilton moved to approve the final plat as presented and Alderman Aldridge seconded. The board voted in favor and the motion carried. The approval was made subject to the six conditions recommended by the planning commission; the conditions included submittal of CC&Rs or architectural controls, building architecture and signage review before recordation, and other standard final-plat items. What remains: The approval subdivides about 5.72 acres into two commercial lots at the southeast corner of Church Road and Malone Road as shown on the submitted plat. Future site development will still need to comply with the Robinson Crossing project text and any conditional-use or building-review requirements that apply at the time of a specific tenant application.