1 of 2
Rendering courtesy of Shelby County Development Services.
Mt Laurel Master Plan
The Shelby County Planning Commission is considering several changes to the Mt Laurel master plan. These include designating multi-family home lots in Blocks 9 and 10 (shown in orange, fronting Hawthorn Street) to single-family lots, adding commercial lots (shown in red) and adding institutional areas for Hilltop Montessori (shown in purple).
2 of 2
Erica Techo
Civil engineer Frazier Christy discusses proposed changes to the Shoal Creek Master Plan.
Amendments to the Mt Laurel and Shoal Creek master plans were approved at the Shelby County Planning Commission meeting on July 20.
The Shoal Creek master plan amendment was requested by property owner and president of Thompson Reality Inc. Caroline Little. The amendment involved allowing for the reconfiguration of roads and lots in the Hamlets at Shoal Creek, where cottage-style housing will be provided.
Frazier Christy, civil engineer on the project, said the change was requested as a result of recent research.
“One of the main things that we’ve learned in the Shoal Creek development is there are people that live there that have big homes,” Christy said. “They don’t want to leave, but they don’t want the big homes.”
The proposed area will include lots ranging from one quarter to one acre lots to accommodate multiple living options, from first-time home buyers to empty nesters looking to move out of a larger home in the community.
Commissioner Amy Smith asked about landscape buffers and greenspace in the area, and Christy said the eight proposed lots will be on 11 acres, allowing room for greenspace and common areas.
“Buffers and trees are something that is very well-protected in Shoal Creek, so I wouldn’t be too greatly concerned about it,” he said.
Another question came up about the entrance to the leasing office and the community. Little said that the office will likely be gated off from the rest of the community to allow the level of security residents expect in Shoal Creek.
The commission approved the amendment unanimously.
An amendment to the Mt Laurel master plan, submitted by John Freeman of EBSCO Development Company, was also approved. The amendment re-designated lots from multifamily to single-family residential and re-designated two common areas to commercial and institutional areas at the corner of Kessler Avenue and Dunnavant Valley Road.
The residential lots were previously designated for 16 apartment lots, four of which were previously re-designated and developed. The remaining 12 apartment lots were re-designated at 15 single-family units.
The institutional area will be used to construct a gymnasium for Hilltop Montessori, and the commercial areas will continue house the office for TBI Construction, said civil engineer Bob Easley. There are no plans for the commercial area if the office is moved off that land, Easley said.
With the re-designation to a commercial area, a frontage landscape buffer must be constructed between the commercial zone and residential areas, said senior planner Sharman Brooks.
There no others to speak for or against the request. The commission approved the amendment, with commissioner Michael O’Kelley abstaining.
In other news, the commission:
- Approved a conditional use request for a portable building at 5429 Highway 280. The building will house Cowboy’s Georgia Pitt BBQ. Georgia Pitt BBQ will have walk-up service and no dining area.
- Approved a conditional use request for a portable building at 5349 Highway 280. The building will house Snow Biz, an ice cream shop, and includes a covered seating area and walk-up service.
- Approved a resubdivision of two lots of Sanders Mooney Acres. The two lots were reconfigured into three lots.
