By John Howell Sr.
City officials will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 5 about a rezoning request for the Robert Shepard property at 103 Redbud. Changing the property from R-9 to RM-3 would allow establishment for a group home for up to 16 boys.

Ray Boltz first made the rezoning request to the Batesville Planning Commission at its Sept. 23 meeting where a large number of area residents attended in opposition of the proposal. Commissioners voted not to recommend the proposal to aldermen for approval.

Boltz attended the Oct. 1 meeting of the city mayor and aldermen, where they set the date of the hearing along with public hearings for two other rezoning requests and a conditional use permit request, but did not speak.

Those Nov. 5 hearings will also seek public comment: About a rezoning request for Edith Cole for a change from R-7 to C-A at 109 Wood Street, about rezoning from AG to I-2 the Milton Wardlaw Jr. property on Highway 35 North, and about a conditional use permit request from Joe Key for a tamale sales outlet at Midtown Market.

Two public hearings during the Oct. 1 meeting generated no public comment. David and Nancy Bynum received approval for conditional use permits for property at 301 and 303 East Street. The permit will allow demolition and replacement of a sub-standard house.

“They’ll be improving,” Mayor Jerry Autrey said.

Ray Poole received permission for a sign variance to allow a message center for his sign at 221 Hwy. 6 East. Paul Williams of Custom Signs represented Poole at the hearing.

“Does Ray write the messages?” the mayor asked.