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Planning commission approves rezoning and final plat for seasonal fireworks stand with 50-foot paved entrance required
Summary
The Olive Branch Planning Commission recommended rezoning a 1.75-acre parcel to allow seasonal fireworks sales and approved the final plat for a single commercial lot, adding a condition that the developer construct a 50-foot paved driveway to city engineer specifications.
The Olive Branch Planning Commission voted to approve a rezoning and final plat for a 1.75-acre parcel on Goodman Road to allow seasonal retail fireworks sales. City staff had recommended changing the parcel from AR (agricultural/residential) to C2 (highway commercial) and forwarding the application to the Board of Aldermen; the commission carried the recommendation and approved the final plat at its meeting.
City staff said the application, submitted by Andy Richardson of R&H Engineering on behalf of property owner Betty Thunderberg, proposes an 80-by-40-foot tent, a 200-amp panel on a utility pole, temporary portable toilets for sanitation, and 14 parking spaces; staff noted the city’s fireworks ordinance (amended Oct. 3, 2023) sets site-plan requirements that the applicant’s materials address. Staff also requested a 20-foot easement centered on an existing 6-inch water line and recommended standard plat edits and infrastructure guarantees before recording.
The commission’s final-plat approval included an added condition requiring a 50-foot paved driveway built to city engineer specifications; the commission discussed whether the entire sales area should be paved or surfaced with crushed limestone. Applicant family member Laney Thunderberg told the commission paving the entire site would be "a terrible expense" and said the operation is seasonal and a sideline for the family’s business, used roughly 10 days a year. Laney Thunderberg asked that the city accept crushed limestone for most of the site and require paving only at the driveway entrance.
Commissioner Dion Jones moved to approve the final plat subject to staff conditions and to require the 50-foot paved driveway; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Earlier, a separate motion to approve the rezoning from AR to C2 based on staff recommendations was also approved by voice vote.
Next steps: the rezoning recommendation and the approved final plat will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen for a final decision and recording; building permits and any required permits from the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the driveway connection must be obtained before site use.
