HOA claims illegal landfill to blame for varmint infestation in MS neighborhood

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — Residents of an Olive Branch subdivision are at odds with owners of a neighboring property, claiming it has become an illegal landfill and is responsible for an infestation of varmints.

Iris Ferguson, HOA President of the Lyon’s Gate subdivision says she loves her neighborhood and the people living in it. But, her love of neighbors doesn’t extend to the owners of the property on the East side of the Olive Branch subdivision.

“I just wanted them to be good neighbors, you know? Just be good neighbors. It’s not what you do it’s how you do it,” she said.

Ferguson has been complaining for two years about the eight to nine acres, claiming it’s been used as an illegal landfill, and that varmints from the property are invading her subdivision.

She also claims there had been dumping of horse manure mixed with pine shavings creating a health hazard. Below is a drone picture she says backs up her claim.

“We just happened to be there at the right time, around 2:30. He was coming back with a load of it and he was dumping it right behind a homeowner’s property,” she said.

We spoke with one of the owners of the property. They said they allowed someone to use the property and that person completely abused the privilege, causing about $81,000 in damages.

We were also told a large amount of pine shavings, often used in horse stables, was dumped on the property, but none of the shavings contained horse manure.

The owners say they are in the process of cleaning up the property and making things right by the neighbors and the City of Olive Branch, but raising funds will take time.

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Iris Ferguson hopes the matter can be resolved soon.

“What I do is try to keep our neighborhood up and keep the value of our homes up,” said Ferguson.

Olive Branch Code Enforcement did not respond to our request for comment on this story.

We have learned no charges will be filed against the man who dumped the pine shavings. A court hearing is tentatively slated for September 4 on the matter.

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