City of Olive Branch

The board approved a zoning variance for a property on Hummingbird Drive, allowing a privacy fence to encroach into the front setback. Additionally, the board granted a two-year conditional use permit for an auto repair shop on MWC Road, subject to several conditions including the installation of screening, landscaping, parking restrictions, and a prohibition on heavy truck or diesel repairs.

The meeting included public comments from the President of the West Cancer Foundation regarding no-cost cancer care programs in Desoto County. The Consent Agenda authorized several actions, including the acceptance of a quote for legal notice publication, approval of travel/training, membership payment for the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc., annual payment to BMI for music performance rights, cancellation of a K-9 Officer agreement, authorization for a gas line bore refund, approval for Public Works equipment purchases (tractor and cutter), Fire Department turnout gear purchase, settlement of a claim, renewal of software agreements (PowerDMS and International Chief of Police subscription), transfer of personal property, appointment of the City Engineer as DCRUA representative, employee promotion/salary increase in Concession Department, and approval of an updated Park Roster. Under Planning Commission Old Business, a public hearing regarding properties deemed a menace to public health and safety was tabled indefinitely. The Planning Commission also approved the 1st Revision of Acree Planned Commercial Subdivision, Phase 3. New Business featured approval of several Change Orders for the City of Olive Branch Public Works Complex and the Fire Station No. 6 project, approval of a Facility Use Agreement, approval of a Change Order for the Pickleball Facility, approval of a proposal for a roadway and maintenance plan, authorization of final payment for the Gas Regulator Station project, termination of the Local Emergency declared on January 23, 2026, and approval of an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Competitive Grant Project application. The Executive Session addressed personnel matters in the Police Department (promotion, transfer, disciplinary suspension), and new hires/promotions/leave in the Animal Control, Ambulance, and Fire Departments. Claims Dockets for Procurement Card Expenditures and various Warrant Reports were approved for payment.

The Planning Commission Meeting agenda included several new business items requiring consideration. These included an application to amend the Project Text for Trinity Park Planned Development to add Medical Cannabis as a permitted use, with the applicant requesting a table to April 14, 2026. Other considerations involved a revised Preliminary Plat for Carson Creek to create 25 single-family residential lots, a request to combine Lots 12 and 13 of the Craft Rd Industrial Park Subdivision into a single Lot 12A, and a Zoning Map Amendment request for Desoto County School District property to rezone from PUD to A-R for a Career Tech Center, also requesting a table to April 14, 2026. Other business included Zoning Ordinance Updates.

The agenda for the meeting included several key items. The Consent Agenda covered numerous authorizations, such as appointing a deputy clerk for fund distribution, renewing various annual agreements (Premier Air Products, Solvit, Inc., Canine Development Group), authorizing purchases (John Deere Compact Track Loader, ammunition, hot box trailer package), accepting quotes (Cold Planer), authorizing service agreements (Lunz Tree Service, Insurance Consulting Group, A1 Fire Protection Service), and approving numerous donations to local entities, including the ARC of Northwest Mississippi, the Chamber of Commerce, and various community funds. The Board also planned to discuss organizational changes within the Fire Department and Police Department, including revisions to the Police Policy and Procedure Manual, and declaring various items as surplus for disposal or auction. Old Business involved considering bids for a Municipal Depository and the Old Towne Olive Branch Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. New Business included considering an agreement with Desoto County for road improvements on Stateline Road. The Executive Session was scheduled to address personnel matters in the Animal Control and Police Departments, and pending/potential litigation discussions with the City Attorney. Claims Dockets for February 27, 2026, were also listed for review.

The Planning Commission meeting primarily focused on plat applications. Key discussions involved the 1st Revision of Acree Planned Commercial Subdivision, Phase 3, which required replatting lots 9 and 10 and included conditions regarding lot improvements, utility installations, and a specific note about the maintenance of a commercial sign by the owner of Lot 13. The Commission also considered the Final Plat for the Sullivan Minor Subdivision, which proposes creating 3 single-family residential lots. Discussions for the Sullivan subdivision included clarifying access rights to a shared easement versus individual driveways off Summers Creek Drive, and the process for obtaining septic tank approvals from the Health Department after plat recording. The Commission plans to address Zoning Updates in the subsequent month.