Comprehensive planners hold first community meeting

Urban planners Mike Slaughter and Nathan Willingham of Oxford held their first community meeting July 24 in Holly Springs to explain why planning is important and to get community feedback.

Marshall County contracted with Mike Slaughter & Associates to create a plan to control economic growth and development in the county.

The planners are providing information to the public to help the company develop goals and objectives which will help form recommendations for future land use and community utilities.

Tabb Sanford, project engineer, was also present.

Attendance was sparse. Planning commissioner Clista Ash, supervisors Johnny Walker, Goston Glover and Terry Rodgers, and George Zinn III, county administrator Tim Powell, zoning administrator David Johnson, and Jerry Kelly and Danny Lewis of Byhalia were present.

“It’s very important to make this the community’s plan,” Slaughter said. “If the community does not give input, it will never be implemented.”

The planners have already met with church groups, school officials, and businesses and county leaders to obtain feedback.

“Not all change is positive,” Slaughter said.

He is pro growth and for creating opportunities to make sure growth takes the right direction.

The plan will indicate how the county wants to grow in the next 20 to 25 years and a five-year future land use plan created will be tweaked every five years.

The comprehensive plan is a long-range fiscal health plan to create a vibrant economy and to decrease ad valorem tax on property owners by increasing the tax base through economic development.

More roof tops, businesses and industries help keep ad valorem taxes low.

“It’s about quality of life - a good place to live, a good house, good jobs, good schools, parks and recreation, good streets, water and sewer - to protect and enhance the quality of life,” Slaughter said. “Cities and counties are not what they could be, especially in areas like the Delta. Once it (quality of life) goes, it’s hard to get it back. Proper land use and code enforcement is important.”

The plan sets goals and objectives for residential, community and industrial development - allows for open space, recreation, street and road improvements, creates community facilities like libraries, recreational buildings, and areas for public/semi-public lands.

“We just want it to be where it needs to be located and keep it out where it doesn’t need to be located,” Slaughter said.

He said communities need to plan smart so that businesses like scrap metal yards and hog farms will be restricted to certain areas through land use ordinances.

A transportation plan regulates and impacts commercial and industrial development and such amenities as walking paths and sidewalks.

A community facilities plan provides for areas for housing, schools, parks, pubic buildings and facilities, and utilities and drainage.

“Schools are very important to a community - K-12, technical schools, community colleges,” Slaughter said. “The opportunity for a good education is very important. The essence of a comprehensive plan is to provide guidance and direction for the community and its citizens and for overall quality of life.

“The comprehensive plan establishes long-rang policies and guidelines and directs development. Absence of a comprehensive plan can lead to undesirable consequences.”

Slaughter quoted Richard Moe, who said “communities can be shaped by chance or choice. We can keep accepting communities we get or start creating communities we want.”

In the feedback period, Willingham said, “They know all over the state, what’s happening in Marshall County.”

Slaughter said Benton County recognized 10 years ago it needed a comprehensive plan and land use controls because of what’s coming out of Tennessee.

“We were informed that by 2028, we would have an additional 10,000 employees,” District 2 supervisor Johnny Walker said. “We do have jobs.”

He said 8,000 residents of the county work in the county and 9,000 commute to work outside the county.

“We’d like to retain as many of them that live here to work here,” Slaughter said.

“We want them to spend their money here,” Walker said.

“To be in a position to retain a workforce, is what you are saying,” Slaughter said.

During the housing discussion, Walker said there is a subdivision on Red Banks Road that will have 600 houses. Presently, there are 150.

“The next thing is the schools,” Walker said.

The population of DeSoto County in 2010 was 162,000. In 2023, it was 193,000, Slaughter said.

Walker said the county has infrastructure for the north for industries but not for housing.

Slaughter said planners will have to rezone to extend utilities that are already available.

Zoning commissioner Clista Ash said swimming pools and places for children to play will be needed. Medical facilities are needed and restaurants for adults.

Walker cited one industry that wants to put a YMCA and childcare center near its facilities.

“There will be a focus on what happens in the north,” Slaughter said. “What happens to the rest of the county?”

Danny Lewis said people have been talking about this for years.

“This is great and now we have a city and county that can move forward,” he said. “I’m happy to hear about this and if there is anything I can do as a citizen of Marshall County, because this area is a good location.”