Residents Raise Concerns Over Proposed Housing Development

By Editor | March 17, 2026 |

Chad Pratt, Wendy Pratt, Nicholas Mobley and Jon Rawl stand on the site of a proposed housing development at North Main and Lafayette streets.

WATER VALLEY — A plan to sell 5.63 acres of city-owned property at the northwest corner of North Main and Lafayette streets for development is drawing concern from nearby residents who say they were unaware of the proposal and want more information before it moves forward.

The Water Valley Board of Aldermen voted Feb. 17 to solicit bids for the purchase of the 5.63-acre tract, requiring the successful bidder to construct at least 10 homes within two years.

Under the terms of the bid notice, each home must contain a minimum of 1,200 square feet of heated and cooled living space. The city will sell the property to the highest and best bidder but reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Sealed bids are due by April 7 at 3 p.m. at City Hall.

Several nearby residents said they were unaware of the plan until recently and are now asking city officials to slow the process and provide more information.

Jon Rawl, who lives on Griffin Street and whose property borders the tract on two sides, said he began contacting neighbors after learning about the proposal.

“We’re upset because we don’t really know what’s going on,” Rawl said. “There was no sign put up on the property, no letters mailed out and no community meeting.”

Rawl said he has spoken with more than a dozen nearby residents, many of whom had no prior knowledge of the plan.

“Most had no clue,” he said. “How can we just let this go when nobody even knew about it?”

While the bid requires a minimum of 10 homes, several residents said they are concerned about how densely the property could ultimately be developed. The bid sets a minimum number of homes but does not specify a maximum.

“There’s a big difference between 10 houses and 20 or 30 houses and the impact that will have,” Rawl said.

Chad Pratt, who has lived on the north side of the tract for about 13 years, said fewer homes would be more appropriate for the neighborhood.

“If it was three or four houses, that would be different,” Pratt said. “But not 10 or more new neighbors instead of three.”

Wendy Pratt said the scale of development could affect both quality of life and property values.

“I want our property value to go up, not down,” she said. “I definitely would not want 10 or 20 houses. That’s a lot of people, and you don’t know what kind of neighbors you’re going to get.”

She added that she only recently learned of the proposal.

“I just found out about two weeks ago,” she said. “I thought this was zoned commercial, and now it’s suddenly residential.”

Wendy Pratt also said she would prefer to see a project that benefits the entire community.

“If they’re going to develop this, it should be something the community can enjoy,” she said.

Nicholas Mobley, who recently moved into a home that joins the property with his wife Abigail, said the couple closed on their house Feb. 24 and were unaware of the proposed development at the time.

“We like that it’s quiet out here,” Mobley said. “We wanted somewhere a little more peaceful.”

Mobley said he is not opposed to development but would like more information about what is planned.

“I don’t know what’s really being built on the property,” he said. “If it’s houses of the same level or higher, that could help, but we’d like to know.”

He added that other types of development could also benefit the area.

“I’d love something like a tennis court or basketball court — something the community could use,” Mobley said.

Linda Scott, another nearby resident, also said she would like to see the property developed as public space.

A common concern among the Pratts, Rawl and Mobley was the lack of public input before the board’s decision.

“That’s half the reason I’m here — because this was all hidden,” Rawl said. “They can’t afford a stamp to send us a letter?”

The group also said they would like the city to hold a public meeting before moving forward.

“If there is a meeting, I’d love to be there,” Wendy Pratt said.

Rawl reiterated that residents are not necessarily opposed to development but want a chance to understand the plans and provide input. He also said a local developer told him he does not plan to bid on the project because of the two-year construction requirement.

History Of The Project

The property was previously the site of Water Valley’s old high school before being deeded to the Mississippi Department of Mental Health in 2003 for a proposed group home that was never built. The land was transferred back to city ownership in 2024 through a local and private legislative bill.

City officials discussed the potential development of the tract during multiple public meetings in 2024 in connection with the property transfer. The property was later rezoned from commercial to an R-2 Single Family Residential District during an Oct. 7, 2025, meeting of the Board of Aldermen following a published notice in the North Mississippi Herald and a public hearing.

The city’s 2006 zoning ordinance currently does not have guidelines requiring on-site signage for property being considered for rezoning or a variance.

The Water Valley Planning and Development Commission, which has been in place since the ordinance was enacted in 2006, now includes six members appointed last year following the start of the new term for mayor and aldermen.

Commission Chairman James McCormick said one of the early priorities after the new members took office was to amend the zoning ordinance to require on-site signage notifying neighbors when property is being considered for rezoning or a variance. A proposed amendment including this change was presented by the Planning Commission to the Board of Aldermen in November 2025 and remains under review.

City officials, however, say the development is intended to support growth and address housing needs in Water Valley.

“I think the consensus is we need more nice homes in Water Valley. It helps our tax base, our schools and our economy,” Mayor Tommy Reynolds said.

He noted that the R-2 zoning classification does not allow dense development.

“The R-2 zoning is the same as the adjoining property,” Reynolds said. “This will be nice homes that will be occupied by the people that own them — a nice neighborhood to help build up our town.”

Reynolds said the city continues to see demand for housing.

“You would be shocked to know the number of people who want to live in our area,” he said. “People love the town and the environment.”

He also pointed to the broader financial picture of the city.

“Total property tax in Water Valley generates approximately a million dollars annually,” Reynolds said.

In recent years grant funding for multiple city projects has exceeded the city’s annual revenue from property tax.

“I am proud to say that,” Reynolds said about the flow of outside funding to the city. “But it may not continue.”

Reynolds also traced the history of the proposed development, starting with the local and private bill passed through the Legislature to authorize the conveyance of the property back to the city from the state.

“That bill was passed with the very thought of having this property used to help our town,” he said. “People want to live in our town. None of this was done in secret.”

“I am 71 years old,” Reynolds added. “I want to see the town better when I leave. I want to leave a prosperous town, not a dying town.”

Final Thoughts

“If this is a great thing, then great,” Rawl said. “But we really don’t know. That’s the problem — the unknown and the lack of communication.”

In a joint statement provided to the North Mississippi Herald by Rawl, residents said they are not opposed to development but would prefer to see the property used for public space.

“The development of the North Main-Lafayette space is inevitable,” the group said. “We believe it would be beneficial to our town to develop the property as public space rather than residential — for example, a public hiking trail, skate park, dog park, picnic grounds, community garden or large pavilion space.”

The group also called on city leaders to allow time for an alternative proposal.

“We hope the Board of Aldermen, before they close bids, will provide Water Valley citizens an opportunity and time to form a coalition of committed citizens to submit a plan and bid,” the statement said.

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