By John Howell

McDonald’s got a green light from city aldermen May 6 to proceed with plans to build a new facility that will replace the existing Highway 6 restaurant with a new, larger building.

Aldermen unanimously approved a combination of two Commerce Street Subdivision lots into one large lot. Engineer Joe Wiseman presented a plat of the new lot for approval for McDonald’s USA.

The existing circa-1984 restaurant building will be torn down and the new restaurant will be constructed on the 1.38 acre site. The project, once started, is expected to be complete in 90 days or less, Wiseman said.

Aldermen also gave unanimous approval to Helena Chemical Company’s request to tap into a city water line that parallels Highway 6 West along its north side. Helena Chemical is constructing a new building on Farrish Gravel Road. 

Helena Chemical representative Tripp Thomas told city officials that his company would be responsible for the cost of boring under Highway 6 to reach the line. Thomas said that the company would compare the cost of boring its own well to the cost of the bore before making its decision.

During public hearings at the May 6 meeting, aldermen:

• Approved Sid Burns Jr.’s request for a two-year conditional use permit allowing him to operate a shaved ice stand in the parking lot of his restaurant in Eagle Crest Shopping Center;

• Also approved two-year conditional use permits for Batesville Main Street; one for the farmers’ market that starts in June and another for Springfest, 2014 on May 16 and 17.

The three conditional use permits had come with approval from the Batesville Planning Commission that has adopted the two-year policy for operators who have previously requested the permits for one year at a time and who have adhered to the conditions.

Another conditional use permit was issued for the Rock Church to be allowed to use rental space in the Highway 6 West building known as The Major Place for worship service. The conditional use was recommended by the planning commission. Aldermen approved by unanimous vote.

Aldermen also approved a variance request by Mary Jones that will allow her to replace a mobile home that burned at 105 Jackson Street. The variance allows Jones to bring in a mobile home with a roof pitch at variance with the city code.

Aldermen also discussed property at Pearson Street and Hays Street owned by Robert Crites. In February, the city board adjudicated the property as a menace and gave Crites 90 days to clean it up.

City Code Administrator Pam Comer said that the property owner had bought a building permit to rebuild the property on Hays Street. 

“This is the condition of Pearson Street,” Comer said, passing photos of the property to the mayor and aldermen for viewing.

“Do we have the authority to tear it down?” Alderman Stan Harrison asked.

Crites appeared later during the May 6 meeting and talked with Mayor Jerry Autrey to learn what he can do to avoid city demolition of the building.