County mulls growth issues

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors continues to keep a close eye on development, making sure board orders and ordinances are followed.

At the November 15 meeting, several concerns about subdivisions were discussed.

John Porter has requested a subdivision at the far end of Barringer Road where four houses would be built. He needs sewer and water before he can start work, said zoning director Ken Jones.

“They are working to get it there,” Jones said. “He can’t finalize without it.” Porter would obtain water and sewer service from the utilities in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park.

Supervisors approved the subdivision on a motion made by District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett.

South Slayden Farms subdivision was back in the scope.

Jones said developers want more information about maintenance of subdivision roads.

“We are holding our ground to what y’all approved,” Jones said. “Giving you a heads up. There’s a pothole.”

Supervisors have ordered the subdivision road be repaired of any new potholes within two weeks to protect the road for residents already living in existing homes and driving over the existing road.

“They don’t want to do what we’ve requested. I thought we were very lenient with them,” Bennett said.

“We’re not going to give any more,” Jones said. “They need to accept what we offer or walk away from it.”

Board attorney Amanda Whaley Smith suggested sending a letter to the subdivision developer.

In another matter, bonding of a subdivision road and erosion control for Roper Fields, a new subdivision, was approved at $151,910 for the second layer of asphalt and for $15,000 for erosion control.

Jones said Hayward Road Subdivision has in place erosion control and road bonds. The subdivision will have 40 houses.

District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor suggested no work on the road be started until next spring when weather will be better, than to risk laying asphalt when temperatures are not optimal.

Chancery clerk Chuck Thomas added that the temperature should be at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and rising to lay asphalt.

Car lot

Attorney Bill Schneller reported on progress at removing wrecked vehicles from a car lot owned by Byhalia & Goodman Properties (D & D Grocery).

Some cars were still in the back yard of the business as of November 12, he said.

Schneller said his client is laying rock for a car lot and wants a business license to operate it.

“What do we need to get a car lot?” he asked.

District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor said the business is a store and a fenced in area behind the store is not a place to put wrecked cars.

Schneller said the owner has cars to repair. The owner would put in closed bays to make repairs on the car bodies.

“He needs to apply for a car lot,” Taylor said. “Behind the building it looks like a salvage lot. Running cars that are for sale is OK. I don’t want to bring them here and fix them to sell.”

Schneller said the vehicles that were not operable have been moved off the property and the owner wants to get in compliance.

“The parking area needs asphalt,” Jones said.

Owner Salamat Shah said he would like to use the area selected as a shop.

“I need to be able to use the property and make some money off of it,” he said.

Taylor said Shah needs to know he needs approval from zoning.

“It is OK with a car lot but to get into oil changes is another issue. There are eyes in Barton Mississippi and I get the calls,” Taylor said.

The board gave Shah approval to take more time to clean up the lot.

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors holds its regular board meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month in the board room on South Market Street in downtown Holly Springs. Meetings are open to the public.