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Palomino subdivision draws neighbor objections over drainage and covenant protections; commission approves on record
Summary
Nick Herzog, representing the seller, sought approval to split a five-acre tract (Palomino Subdivision); neighbors raised drainage, flooding and covenant concerns. Staff found no administrative deficiencies; the commission discussed appeals and conflicts and proceeded to a recorded vote.
Nick Herzog, a local real-estate agent, represented the seller at the Palomino Subdivision file-approval hearing and said the intent was to split a roughly five-acre tract into smaller lots to make building more affordable in DeSoto Parish. Herzog told the commission the proposed restrictions would match those in nearby Ranchland Acres and said he did not intend to disturb the neighborhood’s character.
Multiple residents spoke in opposition, citing drainage and flooding that they said would worsen if the parcel were split and sold. Florida Flippo, Joshua Gunn and Carl Matthews described run‑off paths, ponds and past site conditions; one resident said the ferry (drainage infrastructure) did not get maintained and that adjacent properties flood during heavy rains. Engineering staff told the commission they had no topographic or drainage study for the site and could not speak to drainage impacts without additional information. Administrative review found no deficiencies with the request relative to minimum standards, but staff noted drainage is uninvestigated and would be governed by parish drainage rules if it proves a problem.
Several commissioners noted they could not enforce private restrictive covenants and that the appropriate remedy for covenant disputes is district court. Commissioner Ferguson and others said they would abstain from voting when they had conflicts or close ties to Ranchland Acres. The transcript shows abstentions and several “no” votes during roll call; the chair declared a result on the record. The official minutes or clerk’s vote log should be consulted to confirm the final tally.
What happens next: staff confirmed the appeal process and reiterated that covenant enforcement would be handled in court; commissioners asked staff to consider drainage information and reminded residents about the parish’s permit and drainage rules.
Ending note: commissioners emphasized that their role is to apply DeSoto Parish subdivision regulations and that private covenant disputes are outside the commission’s authority.
