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Olive Branch commission recommends rezoning and prelim plat for 86‑lot Almadale Retreat after drainage and phasing conditions
Summary
The commission recommended rezoning 50.87 acres from AR to R‑1 and approved a preliminary plat for the 86‑lot Almadale Retreat subdivision, subject to stormwater detention, CCR language (including a 2,000 sq ft minimum home size) and phasing lines required by the city engineer to match sewer capacity and construction sequencing.
The Planning Commission voted to forward a rezoning request and approved a preliminary plat for Almadale Retreat, a proposed single‑family subdivision of 86 lots on about 50.87 acres along DeSoto Road near the Marshall County line.
Staff told the commission the request is consistent with the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan and cited nearby suburban residential development and available utility infrastructure as justification for changing the land from AR (agricultural/residential) to R‑1 (single‑family residential). The preliminary plat shows three common open spaces, sidewalks, a 2.25‑acre stormwater detention pond and a street network that connects to existing adjacent roads.
Residents who spoke at the public hearing raised concerns about drainage into existing rear yards, traffic and the size of new houses relative to existing nearby homes. Several speakers asked whether the developer or the city will repair and maintain DeSoto Road during construction and whether the development would add to existing low water pressure and limited sewer capacity in the area.
Applicant Greg Smith (Civil Link) and staff said the plat includes a detention pond and that the developer will install pipework to pick up runoff and move it north to the pond; staff emphasized that post‑development runoff cannot exceed predevelopment flow and noted the civil construction plans must demonstrate compliance during final‑plat engineering review. City staff also said minimum house and CCR language will be added to the final plat package; staff recommended language to impose a 2,000‑square‑foot minimum heated area, brick percentages and garage orientation to promote compatibility.
Because regional sewer capacity and treatment plant timing affect how many houses may be connected at once, the city engineer asked for phase lines; commissioners added a condition requiring phased build‑out that conforms to the engineer’s recommendations. The commission approved the preliminary plat and recommended the rezoning to the Board of Aldermen, with the expectation that the applicant will finalize phasing, engineering plans and CCRs prior to the Board hearing.
What’s next: Staff will require the applicant to work with the city engineer to define the phase lines and to submit detailed construction plans and stormwater calculations for final‑plat review.
