Pebble Creek subdivision has been given the go-ahead on the first phase of their development, despite concerns from nearby residents of The Lakes subdivision who are worried about the potential strain on the Punkin Water System, as well as the liability they would face if the levee at Spring Lake failed and flooded Pebble Creek.

Developer Brantley Cox was given the recommendation after agreeing to three key stipulations of the county planning commission during his appeal Friday morning before the board. His development had originally been denied last month after he decided not to agree to raising the homes in the development to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency recommended three feet due to the development being below a high hazard dam.

Cox agreed to raise the homes, as well as inform potential residents of the potential danger from the dam and the subdivision be place on the emergency action plan.

After unanimously granting his appeal, the planning commission heard from project engineer Jeff Williams who presented the preliminary subdivision plat for the first 33 units of the development.

Williams informed the commission that Cox has offered to give The Lakes Homeowners Association $25,000 to help with repairs to the Spring Lake dam. The Lakes HOA President David Martin told the board they have not yet agreed to accept the donation.

Martin, speaking on behalf of several residents of The Lakes who were in attendance, said they are not anti-development , “but anti-poor infrastructure.”

“Nothing against him (Cox), it could be any developer,” Martin told the commission. “Our infrastructure needs to be up to 2016 standards and not 1970 standards. This development will do nothing but stress an already delicate (water) system.”

When asked, Martin also informed the commission that improvements to the Spring Lake levee are in “an ongoing process.” The Lakes HOA will be able to get a more accurate bid on the project after receiving a response from the state department of environmental quality in regard to an “engineers plans for one of the major repairs.”

“We should have a better expectation of what needs to be done, as well as the cost,” Martin said.

Several other residents also spoke out about water concerns and specifically water pressure in case of a fire. Cox has also agreed to pay for a portion of improving Highway 415 to Highway 6.

The commission voted 4-1 to recommend the development to the county board of supervisors. Commissioner Johnny Sowell voted against the project.

The Board of Supervisors will meet on Monday morning at 8 a.m. for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.