Planning commission clears preliminary plat for 220‑acre Olive Branch Logistics Park with phased road improvements

The Olive Branch Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the preliminary plat for Olive Branch Logistics Park, a multi‑phase plan to subdivide 220.21 acres into three industrial lots, public rights‑of‑way and a common open space.

Staff described a three‑phase program: phase one would plat Lot 1 (about 68 acres) and include widening and right‑of‑way dedication along Kirk Road; phase two would plat Lot 2 (about 87 acres), complete Kirk Road improvements and extend Crossroads Drive; and phase three would plat Lot 3 (about 53 acres). A small, roughly 3‑acre area in a mapped floodway is shown as common open space and not developable.

Planning staff said the site has adequate road and utility infrastructure and is well situated for industrial distribution near Highway 302. Staff recommended conditions that require dedication of additional right‑of‑way (including an 80‑foot section for Kirk Road where applicable), construction of Crossroads Drive with curb, gutter and sidewalks for industrial access, and that certain right‑of‑way for a future Forest Hill‑Irene connector be dedicated now for potential later construction to separate industrial truck traffic from residential streets.

Staff stressed the transportation consideration: “One of the main items we always deal with ... is making sure that we're mitigating potential conflicts with additional truck traffic versus school traffic or traffic through neighborhoods,” the planning presenter said. The applicants agreed to the phasing and the right‑of‑way dedications spelled out in staff conditions.

Commissioners discussed timing and phasing details and asked staff to ensure any needed acceleration/deceleration lanes would be evaluated by the city engineer. With those conditions, the planning commission voted to recommend that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve the preliminary plat subject to staff conditions 1–10.

The recommendation now moves to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. If approved, developers will be required to build or guarantee public improvements listed in the conditions as each phase proceeds, and record final plats for each phase before lots are sold or developed.