By John Howell
The Batesville Planning Commission will get the community’s first look at a new hotel on Covenant Drive planned by the Vaghela family who developed the Comfort Suites opened there in 2013.

The planning commission is meeting today at 5 p.m. Because of yesterday’s holiday.
Indu Vaghela is expected to represent present the site and design review for the hotel, “Home 2 Suites by Hilton,” according to the planning commission agenda.

Dr. Walter T. Hudson is expected to submit for review and approval a two-lot subdivision plat for property he owns on Tubbs Road.

O. B. Bacon and Touristiva W. McGhee will submit for site and building design approval a new color they propose to paint the Waffle House restaurant.

Jerry Seratt will submit for review site and building design for renovations and improvements at Meadowview Apartments.

Merit Health Batesville CEO Travis Sisson and Vince Brummett are expected to submit for review site and building design for new signage at the former Tri-Lakes Medical Center facility.
William Mills and Bishop Anthony Rodgers will submit for review site and building design proposed for Faith in Action Ministries at 125 Van Voris.

Today’s meeting will be the first for Vick Wardlaw, a planning commissioner newly appointed by aldermen at their May 19 meeting. Wardlaw fills the slot left vacant with the resignation of Everett Redd who moved from Batesville.

In other planning commission/city code office business during last Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen set cleanup hearing dates for the Marvel Thomas property on Armstrong Street and for the William Clayton trustee property on Highway 6 West.

“It’s not being maintained,” Code Administrator Pam Comer said.

Aldermen also approved Comer’s recommendation to hold a cleanup hearing on the Marvel Thomas property on Armstrong Street.

Code administrator commended rehabilitation work at 217 Pearson Street. City officials had worked for months with property owner Robert Crites to bring the property up to the building code.

“I’m just tickled to share these pictures with y’all,” Comer said, passing photos of the structure around the table where city officials were seated.

“He did a great job,” Mayor Jerry Autrey said.

Aldermen voted unanimously to end the adjudication that started with a cleanup hearing on the property.

City officials also approved Comer’s request for a moratorium on storage or “accessory” buildings that require a building permit.

“I’ve had some issues come up and I need to have some help,” she said.

“Anything 200 square feet or less doesn’t require a building permit,” Comer said.