Committee approves rezoning of parcels off Locust Lane; item heads to city council

The Tupelo Planning and Zoning Committee approved a prezoning request to change roughly 25 acres off Locust Lane from agricultural/open space to medium‑density residential and referred the matter to the city council for a public hearing.

"We are coming before the committee tonight to request a reszoning of a portion of this land for the use of development," said Dylan Spec, the applicant and developer, during his presentation. The parcel affected includes areas already split‑zoned; staff told the committee that consolidating the lot under medium‑density residential zoning was appropriate.

"The city's position is that would be appropriate," Mr. Caulkin, development services, told the committee, adding that the department had no objection to the rezoning for future medium‑density development. The committee moved, seconded and approved the rezoning; one member, Mr. Leak, recused himself from the vote because of a real‑estate license.

During public comment, nearby property owner Jeff McCord asked whether drainage had been studied and what form of residential development was planned. Staff replied that drainage and subdivision engineering would be addressed in the forthcoming subdivision application and that rezoning alone does not approve a subdivision design or determine drainage measures.

Mr. Newman, representing development services during procedural remarks, told the applicant and interested parties that the rezoning will require city council approval and likely will be scheduled for the first council meeting in April, when the public hearing will be held.

The committee’s vote advances the rezoning to the council stage; the related subdivision application will require additional plan review and public input before being considered for final plat approval.