Batesville Mayor Jerry Autrey on Friday ordered a halt to tree cutting on a Stonehenge Drive tract near the post office.

A land clearing and logging operation had begun on the site on Thursday resulting in the removal of a number of large trees.

Autrey said that the City Code Office erred when it issued a permit for the work. The mayor cited subdivision regulations adopted in March which require a grading permit “for all land disturbing activity on lots … one acre in size or greater.”

The mayor said he issued a temporary administrative order forbidding contractor Bob Shepherd from cutting more trees until a further determination can be made about the appropriate steps for its development.

On Monday, the mayor said that additional trees had been cut after Friday’s order.

The tract, owned by Bob Dunlap, is under development for upscale apartments according to the original, long range plan approved when the site was first slated for development 15 years ago said former Mayor Bobby Baker, whose real estate firm has offered the tract for sale.

Baker said that no sale has taken place.