By Rupert Howell
Citing a shortage of parking spaces at his new building and business on the corner of Lakewood Drive and Broome Ridge Road, Batesville Rehab owner Niles Norris asked the Batesville Planning Commission for permission to take down a grassy knoll with greenery to provide additional spaces for patients to park.
“We’re maxed out. . . (some of) our patients are parking at the (nearby) hotel and in the street,” Norris told commissioners.
The idea of customers having to walk an extra distance may not seem like much of an hindrance, but Norris explained some are coming to rehab knees and joints and may cause problems or discomfort.
He noted that a nearby building formerly occupied by C-Spire that was used by some of his customers is now occupied by a dentist office making parking spaces scarce.
Commissioners approved the site and building design unanimously as they did Larry Coles’ site and building design for his addition to AAAA Safe Storage on Highway 6/278 east past Mt. Olivet Road’s intersection.
Cole explained his options as the grandfathered structure would only allow him to add one-half of what he had already in place. He also explained that people passing by may not even notice the addition as he was adding on to the backside of the existing buildings with similar units.
Local contractor Joey Caine received planning commission approval for sight and building design standards for an open air wrought iron patio at Cafe Ole on Highway 6/278 east and a recommendation for approval to add a carport and breeze way to a rental property he owns at 210 Creek Drive.
Caine explained the patio at the restaurant would occupy five existing parking spaces but a site behind the restaurant had been graveled for employees to park compensating parking needs.
Caine also sought and received the commission’s approval for a setback variance for his rental house on 210 Creek Drive where he plans to build a carport on a previous carport site that wouldn’t meet current setback regulations.
The recommendation to approve the setback variance now goes to the Batesville board of mayor and aldermen to set a hearing.
The Batesville Planning Commission meets the last Monday of each month at Batesville City Hall at 5 p.m. Willie King is chairman of the commission board.