Planning committee recommends adding golf driving range as allowed use in Regional Commercial zone

The Tupelo Planning Committee voted unanimously to recommend a text amendment that would add golf driving ranges as a permitted use in the Regional Commercial (RC) zoning district.

Mr. Faulkner, a planning consultant working with the city, said the proposed use aligns with the comprehensive plan and with the RC district’s intent to concentrate car-oriented, higher-impact commercial and entertainment uses where there is adequate transportation infrastructure. Faulkner told the committee the city received an inquiry from a prospective developer interested in creating a mini “Topgolf”-style facility; the developer is advanced in design and is awaiting zoning and a utility easement for a water line.

Tanner Newman, Director of Development Services, confirmed the department issued public notice in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and had received no public responses. Newman reiterated that adding the use to the RC district would not waive standard development requirements; lighting, netting and buffering would be reviewed through the plan-review process.

City Attorney Ben Logan noted there is an established legal threshold for demonstrating a change in circumstances since the development code and comprehensive plan were adopted, and he said the built-out roadway network and changing market conditions satisfied that test for a use-district amendment. Committee members raised questions about potential residential adjacency and lighting; staff and the consultant said wooded buffers and existing setback rules would apply during site plan review.

Scott Davis moved to recommend the text amendment; the motion was seconded by Aaron Washington and passed unanimously. The committee’s recommendation directs staff and legal counsel to draft an ordinance to take to city council for public hearing and final action.