By John Howell
The Batesville Planning Commission meeting on Monday approved a rezoning request that could open almost 20 acres to commercial development on Highway 6 East.

The commissioners also approved a conditional use permit request to allow construction of an assisted living facility on Maple Lane.

Both requests were approved unanimously by commissioners and will now go before the mayor and board of aldermen during a public hearing before final approval.

The rezoning request was made by Kelley Magee. Magee, on behalf of her mother, Ann Haynes, sought rezoning of 19.9 acres on the east side of East Oaks Shopping Center from C-1 to C-2. Highway 6 access to the presently undeveloped acreage will come between the existing East Oaks entrance and the Shell Gas Garden.

Magee requested in her own name a conditional use permit that would allow construction of an assisted living care home that is expected to house 15 to 16 people. If successful, a second 10,000 square feet facility will be constructed at the location, she said.

Magee presented floor plans and discussed the neighborhood. Maple Lane is a dead end street that runs east of Woodland Drive. With single family residences on the street are two group homes of the North Mississippi Regional Center. The developer cited the group homes and said an assisted living facility would be consistent with the character of the neighborhood.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Magee’s request.

Attending the meeting were planning commission members Billy Downs, Kim LaVergne, Judy Savage, Willie King, Terry Townsend, Dave Billingsley and chairman Richard Corson. Assistant city attorney Colmon Mitchell attended as did Batesville Code Office Administrator Pam Comer and Mayor Jerry Autrey.