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Olive Branch planning commission recommends denial of 561.8‑acre "DInnesota" rezoning after large public outcry
Summary
After a multi‑hour public hearing in which residents raised concerns about a proposed clean‑fill site, truck traffic, buffers and groundwater, the Olive Branch Planning Commission voted unanimously June 9 to recommend denial of a 561.8‑acre rezoning and preliminary plan for the DInnesota Innovation District. The recommendation goes to the mayor and board of aldermen on July 21.
The Olive Branch Planning Commission on June 9 voted unanimously to recommend denial of a proposed rezoning and preliminary development plan for the 561.8‑acre DInnesota Innovation District, a proposal that would have rezoned land at Church Road and Craft Road to allow a new county clean‑fill (landfill) and 14 industrial lots intended for light manufacturing and technology uses.
The public hearing drew scores of residents from nearby neighborhoods who told commissioners the proposal would change the area’s character and harm nearby homes, cemeteries and churches. "I don't see this making a lot of sense as far as the criteria required for rezoning," said resident Ted Roman, citing the comprehensive plan and nearby residential character. Other speakers warned of increased truck traffic on Church Road, erosion and stormwater impacts, and the consequence of tying the landfill expansion to an industrial rezoning.
Staff and the applicant defended the plan as addressing two needs: creating a replacement site for a county clean‑fill that the county says is nearing capacity, and providing space for higher‑value local jobs. Applicant representative Bob Barber told commissioners the project would include large buffers and site controls and argued the redevelopment would provide both jobs and infrastructure. County Supervisor Medlin added that closing the existing county rubbish pit would raise disposal costs for municipalities and residents and said the county views a local clean‑fill as critical.
Commissioners focused on the legal standards for rezoning—whether the character of the area has changed and whether a public need justifies a change. After more than three hours of testimony, Commissioner Janice Lewis moved to recommend denial on the basis that the proposal did not meet the comprehensive‑plan findings required for rezoning; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the final decision rests with Olive Branch’s mayor and Board of Aldermen. Staff said that board will take up the recommendation at its July 21 meeting. The commission’s file will include the detailed staff report, the applicant’s project text and the public record from tonight’s hearing.
What’s next: The Board of Aldermen will review the planning commission’s recommendation at its July meeting. The applicant may revise the project text or seek to separate the landfill component from the industrial district in later filings; the planning commission and staff urged residents and the applicant to continue discussions in the interim.
(Reporting note: quotes and outcomes above are drawn directly from the public hearing transcript and from staff and applicant presentations.)
