By John Howell Sr.

City officials gave unanimous approval on March 15 to a rezoning request by Amy Thomas that will allow construction of a coin-operated laundry near the corner of Thomas and Van Voris Streets.

City Code Administrator Pam Comer said that the Batesville Planning Commission had recommended the change from C-1 zoning classification to C-2 to allow the laundromat. Commission members recognized that the character of the neighborhood changed from industrial with the closing of Panola Mills in 1995, Comer said, and that there is a need because there is no working laundromat on the west side of town.

Thomas told city officials that the facility would probably be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and would be staffed while it is opened. Thomas also said that the new structure would be constructed four feet higher than her adjacent dry cleaners structure. She said that she hoped the construction would also help minimize the danger of flooding to the existing dry cleaning facility.

Thomas’s request was the first of several considered in public hearings held during the month’s second meeting of the mayor and aldermen.

In another hearing, aldermen voted unanimously to approve a request from Nancy Bridges that will allow a lot on Court Street on which two houses are located to be divided to grant each house its separate lot. Aldermen also approved a technical correction in the city’s zoning ordinance that stemmed from Bridges’ request.

Aldermen also approved conditional use permits requested by Chris Smith and Ernie Capwell that will allow them to sell crawfish during season.

There were no objections to any of changes requested. All had been recommended by the Planning Commission.

In cleanup hearing, aldermen gave Rivers Pride 90 days to tear down a burned out structure on Highway 6 West. If nothing has been done after 90 days, the city can assume responsibility for the cleanup and attach the cost to the property.