Quinn Ridge development shot down by Shelby County
The massive development south of Collierville has been blocked yet again after nine of 13 Shelby County Commissioners voted against granting the planned Quinn Ridge development.
The proposed 543 single-family homes on 177 acres was expected to bring in $1.8 million in property taxes per year for the county, but Josh Whitehead, planning director for Memphis and Shelby County, told commissioners that the Town of Collierville had dropped a “potential bombshell” by saying it couldn’t provide fire or other emergency services to the development if it was approved.
If Shelby County ended up having to build a new fire station, that would cost around $3 million, Whitehead said, with additional annual operational costs of $1.2 million.
The gated community of half-million-dollar homes geared toward retirees has faced strong opposition from the Town of Collierville and residents of the area who had criticized the plan's density, particularly since it is in a largely rural area.
On Monday, area resident Tanja Hodges, who lives in a subdivision built by Porter, told commissioners she strongly opposes his plan for the Quinn Ridge development even though she loves her own neighborhood.
“We love what he has built and we feel that this development destroys the character of the neighborhood he was a part of building,” Hodges said. “We're not against progress, we're not against development, but we want smart development.”
Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner has also said the development's design standards are not up to those in Collierville.
“What the Town of Collierville stands for is the integrity of our land use plan,” Joyner said Monday. “That's what I'm here to represent and trying to protect.”
The project is located in what used to be known as the Collierville reserve area.
The project has faced the Shelby County Commission before, in 2018, with several different commissioners. That time it was approved, but later vetoed by outgoing Mayor Mark Luttrell. After that veto, developer John Porter began discussion with Collierville officials about annexation and an altered plan — but that also faltered, and Porter returned to Shelby County with his original plan.
Ultimately, Porter's development was supported by commissioners Van Turner, Reginald Milton, Willie Brooks, Jr. and Eddie Jones.
Milton said he believed the development would be an asset for the county, especially at a time when revenue is needed.
“For us to turn our back on several million dollars that could benefit the tax base of this county for me is us not doing our job as commissioners,” Milton said.
The commissioner who spoke out most vehemently against the project was David Bradford, who represents Collierville.
Bradford, who served on the town's planning commission for several years, said he has questions about safety and whether the nearest fire station is too far away, meaning Shelby County would have to pay for a new one.
He also had concerns about the developer's plans to use Marshall County, Mississippi, for water and sewer services.
“I'm really concerned with coordinating with Marshall County on water and sewer,” Bradford said. “What if they decide to stop service?”
Katherine Burgess covers county government, religion and the suburbs. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com, 901-529-2799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.