DeSoto County supervisors Wednesday gave approval to rezone 706 acres for a $250 million planned unit development that includes 64 acres for handicapped children and their families and a separate phase for upscale private homes.

The Dunbar Hills development, which includes acreage for the proposed $30 to $40 million Ryan's Ranch, an upscale complex of cottages, physicians offices and other amenities for handicapped children, received unanimous approval by the DeSoto County Planning Commission on July 30.

Architect Bob Dalhoff with Dalhoff Thomas Daws, a land planning and architectural firm in Memphis, made the presentation to supervisors on Wednesday.

The ranch was, at first, going to be located in Shelby County, but Dalhoff said county officials there added too many amenities that distracted from the original vision of providing a therapeutic ranch-type setting for families with children who had disabilities, along with an mix of upscale homes in a rural setting.

The Dunbar Hills PUD also includes two gated communities with homes ranging from $275,000 to $300,000 and up, and lots ranging from 20,000 square-feet to two and three acres with homes in the price range of $300,000 to $1 million and above.

Dalhoff said the homes planned for the development would be larger and more upscale than most existing homes in the area.

Dalhoff, who is representing the Abston family of Memphis, the longtime owners of the property, met with nearby landowners on June 13, and has alleviated most concerns about the project.

There were no objections to the proposed rezoning of the 706 acres from agricultural to planned unit development at Wednesday's meeting.

Some surrounding landowners had submitted a petition against the project in June.

Dalhoff said much of the rolling hills and topography would be preserved, with more than 36 acres set aside for open space.

Old farm silos on the site and more than six miles of riding trails would be incorporated into the overall site. All the roads in the development would have bicycle and pedestrian paths.

The property begins at Baldwin and Star Landing Road and runs westward along the south side of Star Landing Road to the bluff.

The Lake Cormorant campus of Ryan's Ranch would be the first such campus of its kind in the nation, Dalhoff said.

The ranch is named for Ryan Derenburger of New Orleans, a child who suffers from cerebral palsy, profound mental retardation, autism and other health and neurological disorders.

Ryan's mother Corinne was present at Wednesday's meeting.

"With the divorce rate being 95 percent for parents of children with disabilities, we knew that we had to do something to create a place for children and families," Corinne Derenburger said. "We've had calls from as far away as England asking us when this will be done."

Dalhoff said the Ryan's Ranch complex would consist of a main lodge, chapel, barn, stable and 24 duplex cottages. A country store would be located at the campus' entrance.

Nationally, playgrounds have been erected in Ryan's name and more than 300 children have been assisted by Corinne Derenburger.

"They (children) get to ride horses and have fun," Dalhoff said. "It's therapy for the family and the children."

Construction on the ranch would not likely begin for at least a year, Dalhoff said.

Outdoor personality Bill Dance will be involved in designing a lake for the ranch, according to Dalhoff.

"We think this is a great front door to DeSoto County," Dalhoff said.

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