Subdivision regulations cause problems

Juan and Refugio Alvarado appeared before the Marshall County Board of Supervisors seeking to add seven acres into an old subdivision map to consolidate their holdings.

According to District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor, the consolidation would “upgrade the area 100 percent, but they have to make it legal.”

The Alvarados said they are not allowed to build a subdivision on to an existing subdivision because of the county subdivision ordinances.

They say they need access to seven acres they own behind the subdivision.

Zoning administrator Ken Jones said the Alvarados want to develop lots behind the Warsaw Wood Farms Subdivision but need a way to access the property. "He would have to take a lot and make a road to the other lots," Jones said.

Warsaw Woods Farm is a platted subdivision put in many years ago, he said.

Juan Alvarado said he owns six lots on the front part of the subdivision and 7.1 acres in back. To consolidate the subdivision with additional acreage he would create 15 lots on the back property to build 15 houses, each on a 1.5 acre or more parcel. The combined acreage on the front and rear property comes to 28 acres, he said.

“He’s proposing to change the whole thing and make it look like this,” said Jones, pointing to a map.

Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith advised the board that the Alvarados will have to file a petition in Chancery Court to modify the map (subdivision plat).

“This board’s blessing means nothing,” she said.

District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett advised the Alvarados to get an attorney and go to Chancery Court to get the approval to dissolve the old subdivision, then come back to the board to create the consolidated subdivision.

Jones presented several properties for cleanup orders and one request for a beer license.

The board approved a license to sell beer at Chickasaw Travel Center at 1161 Barringer Road. The business has been open the required 30 days.

Taylor made a motion to approve the license and District 1 supervisor Charles Terry seconded. The board approved the measure 4-1, with Bennett voting against the permit.

Jones presented a request for the construction of a tower on a lot in Shaw Farms Subdivision on Victoria Road. The 20 lots in the subdivision are not active, while there are three houses in the subdivision, he said. The tower would be located in the back of the lot that is wooded.

Terry asked to check into the matter first before voting on the measure.

Taylor asked if the board of supervisors will reappoint or appoint zoning board members the first of 2024 just as other appointed positions are.

Bennett said they must be reappointed each new (fouryear) term.

“You will have to go over each one separately, this time,” he said.

In cleanups, Jones reported an old house trailer had been dumped on a lot on Cayce Road seven or eight months ago. No action was taken.

Other lots included in the cleanup request were 145 Shinault Road on lot 45 in the Lamar Farms Subdivision.

Another cleanup was discussed at 128 Ridge Field Cove, lot 26, where there are a number of cars being stored.

A cleanup of a burned house on 3768 Hernando Road was discussed. Jones said people were living illegally in a travel trailer while they build a house. Certified letters had been sent to the address with no reply, he said.

The board approved a cleanup order.

Taylor said more old cars have been brought to the Spencer Property. He asked the board to take bids. There is a moving company that would remove the cars and sell them, after they are determined to have no owner, he said.

County administrator Tim Powell opened a single bid on a used cargo van. The bid offer from Crane Auto Service was $22,409 – a 2017 Chevrolet with 103,504 miles. The board passed a motion accepting the bid.

Road Manager Mario Jeffries said the van is needed by an employee to haul air conditioning parts for units he repairs for the county. The board approved the purchase.

Chancery clerk Nicole Phelps asked for approval to advertise for bids for a county depository. The contract is for two years and expires December 31, she said.

Christmas, and New Year’s holidays were noted. Offices closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, and will be closed Monday and Tuesday for Christmas and for New Year’s Day.

The annual allocations to the Main Street organizations and Arise2Read were approved.

Travel for fall conferences were approved for justice court judge Cathy Brittenum and circuit clerk Monet Autry and the election commissioners.

The claims docket came to $874,495.