Oct. 25, 2024 – During a special meeting of the Southaven Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night, board members approved a conditional use permit for a wrecker and towing service. The business plans to set up near the corner of Stateline and Airways Blvd. and the issue had been tabled in recent meetings.
The application was approved and will now go through a site plan application and design review before going back to the board for final approval.
The plan, which had been approved by the Planning Commission, brought up concerns because of its location, being near the state border with Memphis and the possible increase in crime activity.
The plan includes a requirement that no more than 12 cars be kept there and the building be one of brick and mortar.
Mayor Darren Musselwhite, without a vote in the matter, still expressed his concerns about the business.
“I don’t know if this is the right place for this,” the mayor said. “It’s the location I have concerns about being right next to Memphis, Tennessee. This is a way to connect us to Memphis in a negative way. Auto crime numbers are higher in that area, that’s why I have reservations.”
Still, the proposal was approved by the board.
In other action, businessman Les Hooper was appointed a new planning commissioner at large.
The design award for renovation of a new municipal court building was awarded to Urban Arch, which will help design the old Fred’s store facility at 8912 Northwest Drive into the new location. Activities have outgrown the current location, also on Northwest Drive.
Recently, the City purchased the vacant, former Fred’s building on Northwest Drive for just over $1 million. for the purpose of housing a larger Municipal Court facility.
“As we’ve dramatically increased the size of our police operation in recent years, the demands on our court operation have coincided just the same,” Musselwhite wrote on his “Mayor’s Report” blog. “The upcoming renovation is projected to cost approximately $1.5 million and will allow us to design our facility layout in a manner with the optimum functionality for our current and future needs.”
Musselwhite said the move also solidifies the west end, or “Original Southaven” as a home for municipal government operations.
This renovation is projected to be complete in late 2025. The current court building will temporarily be used to supplement court operations until the City evaluates the long-term best use of that facility.
The Building Permits Application process will be revised to clarify that the city will enforce city laws, ordinances and regulations but the city does not have authority to enforce HOA Covenants. Building permits will be issued upon compliance with city requirements, but obtaining any additional approval needed from HOA will be the applicant’s responsibility.
“We’re enforcing city ordinances, laws and regulations, but that’s it,” said City Attorney Nick Manley.
No action was taken but Dale Bellflower of the Hernando Veterans Parade Committee appeared to present a request for city involvement in the DeSoto County Veterans Memorial in Hernando. The committee has received Hernando, Horn Lake, and DeSoto County governments for $5,000 donations toward the construction and placement of the memorial on the courthouse square in Hernando. Bellflower added Associated Groceries had also provided the committee with a $5,000 donation.
Expect striping of the newly paved portion of Getwell Road between Starlanding and Church roads to be done next week.
Tuesday’s meeting was a specially-called meeting after a quorum would not be available for the regular meeting of Oct. 15.
