Housing development on go

In a 4-1 vote during a called meeting September 9, Byhalia alderman voted to rezone the area north and east of Byhalia High School to residential.

They also approved the preliminary plan for Baxter Place, a 300plus housing development proposed to be built on the site, by the same vote.

Estoria, the developer, is made up of four members that include Paul Frazier, Michelle Terhune, Kevin Conlen and Jeff King. Lee Smart, consultant for Estoria, reviewed highlights from the previous meeting, saying that covenants and a strict Homeowners Association would be in place for each phase of the 30-40 houses built with the first phase including the establishment of the market and affordability. The HOA requirements would include 1,650 square foot minimum heated space. Pricing would be between $160,000 to $199,000. Estoria believes above $200,000 would outprice the market.

Estoria reported to have already had discussions with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Marshall County School Board, and both city and county engineers. There had also been a meeting with the Zoning Board.

During Phase 1, the construction entrance would be off Highway 309, with another added on Bubba Taylor Road in Phase 2. Both entrances would be utilized for the remaining phases. All public roads used would be bonded.

Alderman Mike Hamblin, who voted no on both motions, said the Marshall County School Board had requested the Byhalia town board not yet approve the subdivision due to traffic safety concerns.

He said only one citizen had called him to discuss the issue.

Hamblin also expressed concerns about how much water would be needed and how could that be fixed.

“I feel like you will do a good job but there is so much that I hope the engineer can address,” Hamblin said. “I look forward to town growth, but I do not want to be out a few million dollars that we cannot afford.

“Sewer capability is a concern. We need to pay for sewer and water over a 20-year period. The sewer north of town is small and should have been repaired 20 years ago. I wanted 15,000 square foot lot sizes but that may not happen. Down the road in 10-15 years chances of my being here are slim. I have the best interest of the town at heart.”

Smart said the purpose of the meeting that night was to get a change of zoning and present the conceptual design. He said typically a developer would want the town’s blessings for every stage of the project. Entrances, water, gas and sewer would all need approval by the town board. Due diligence would be used in dealing with both the city and county engineer.

“Design work is just started,” Smart said. “If we are successful tonight, we will start on engineering.” Alderman William Rose said, “Twenty years ago, when I came to Byhalia, at a chamber meeting I told the chamber board that we had growth coming this way and to get ready — utilities needed to be moved on Highway 309. In order to widen Highway 309 they must be moved to Bubba Taylor Road. Per discussion with Doug Royal to move these utilities would take $400,000 plus. This needs to be done whether Baxter Place comes in or not.” Rose said as he drove through the town, he noticed there were very few garages but mostly carports. He said he got involved in lots of things in the town and represented all the people of the town.

“At 7 at night you have to leave here to go somewhere to eat,” he said.

Alderman Delainer Richmond said some of her questions had been answered. She was concerned about the traffic and water pressure with school traffic being a large concern.

Smart said he believes Estoria could help address some of these issues. He said conversations with MDOT had been good with MDOT offering support with what it could do. He shared that their plans included an engineering design that would allow Byhalia High School to tie into these roads, if interested.

County engineer Larry Britt said there had meetings with Estoria concerning the development. Roads would require bonding, some paving would have to be done on Highway 309 and a traffic study would be required by MDOT.

“Typically, you get a master plan that when submitted is broken up into phases with plans being submitted for each phase,” Britt said.

Britt said that for over the past 20 years he had been keeping up with the water for the Town of Byhalia. The water quality was good. Some parts of the town have adequate pressure. Other parts do not. According to Britt, a 12-inch line needed to be put in from the railroad to the lift station on Highway 309. Pressure would then basically double for existing customers and be adequate to supply water for the 310 new homes. Britt believes a gravity system with lift stations would work best for sewer. The town had enough capacity at the lagoon. The lift stations at Ball Park Road would have to be upgraded with pumps being increased after phases 1 and 2. The gas system only has a 2-inch line in front of school which is adequate for the current system but a 4-inch line would be needed up to the development including a loop system to supply gas to 300 homes. Anything done would also benefit current customers.

Britt said the cost for moving water, gas and sewer would be between $750,000 and $800,000 over a period of time. He said typically inside subdivision the utilities were up to the developer. It is possible that they would help with expense of outside utilities.

Hamblin said there are places in town that do not have gas and sewer after 20 years of annexation.

Bobby Bonds, a member of the Zoning Board, said the Zoning Board passed this three to four months ago.

“They (Estoria) are in it to do something,” Bonds said. “It is going to improve everything. It will hurt the pocketbook for a while. Both state representatives and supervisors have been involved. The town board will be making decisions about what they can and cannot do.”

During an interview after the meeting, Michelle Terhune with Estoria said the developer wants to build Byhalia. She said Byhalia has industries, with more coming in. People will be moving to the area and would need housing. Not everyone would be able to live in Collierville, Tenn., she said.

“We found Byhalia and we want to grow it,” Terhune said.