By John Howell
Batesville Planning Commission members meeting Monday, October 27, approved by unanimous vote an amendment to the city’s site and building design standards that would allow repair of existing building exteriors with the same materials of the same color.

Existing standards require planning commission approval of building exteriors for the construction of additions that increase total square footage by more than 50 percent, Batesville Code Office Administrator Pam Comer said, but do not address siding replacement.

The amendment approved Monday allows building owner to replace siding with like material and color “as long as the building retains its same size and shape,” Comer said.