By Rupert Howell

Batesville Planning Commissioners voted unanimously to send a zoning request change recommendation that would allow a large LED billboard on property currently owned by developer Alvin Kelly near Lowes.

Meeting Monday at city hall, commissioners discussed what changes had occurred that would allow the lot on the property located north and east of I-55 and Highway 6 Intersection to be changed from C-2 to C-3. (Commercial 3 property allows billboards.)

The LED sign would face both east and west and would be similar, but larger, to the Civic Center’s sign on the other side of Highway 6.

Zoning changes require public hearings before the decisions are made by the city’s board of mayor and aldermen.

Commissioners also agreed to ask downtown property owner Billy Shepard to appear before the commission board to share site design plans for his building on the corner of Panola and the Downtown Square after noting that the current site didn’t match previously approved plans.

Paul Williams with Custom Signs  received the commission’s approval for a variance for an LED message sign for Urgent Team Clinic at 555 Highway 6 East.

A conditional use permit request for TNT Fireworks to put up a tent at Walmart Shopping Center on House-Carlson Drive was also approved.

Site and Building Design Plans were also approved for duplex construction on East Street, Loves Travel Stop’s tire barn at I-55 and Hwy. 35 N, and John Shaw’s proposed car lot office at Dell Street.

Love’s tire barn’s plans were previously approved but the building’s plan has been enlarged causing further consideration which was approved.

John Shaw’s plans were approved contingent upon certain criteria agreed upon before reaching the board of mayor and aldermen for final approval.

Mayor Jerry Autrey recommended to Shaw that he make the building look permanent and good as his board’s decision would come after strict consideration.

A variance for a setback for Tommye W. Walker at 222 Court Street was approved with contractor Robert Beard assuring that neighbors were in agreement of the consideration and that emergency vehicles could still access property.

A request to change landscaping at the proposed Raceway Gas Station was also approved after Raceway officials said prior experience with specified shrubs was unsuitable because they caught debris making them unsightly. Trees and sod will still be used at the facility.