NATCHEZ &045;&045; A hearing on what has become a contentious zoning matter was tabled by aldermen Tuesday. The Zoning Board had recently approved the location of a manufactured home on Ivy Lane, but the city’s Planning Department has since received some objections to the decision. But the hearing, originally set for Tuesday’s meeting, was tabled to allow planning staff to contact nearby residents.

City Planner Bob Jackson said the city code does not set a process for notifying concerned citizens about such a hearing, but added he would give such notification before the next meeting. Property owner Harry Billups told the board he has already spent $10,000 on the property but hasn’t been able to get permits from the city to install utilities because aldermen have not yet acted on the appeal.

In other business:

City officials recognized Home Hardware as the city’s Business of the Month with a certificate and a temporary banner to be placed in front of the business.

While Home Hardware started in Ferriday, La., the Natchez location opened in 1996. The business’ involvement in community causes has included contributions to such varied causes at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office shooting range and Pleasant Acre Day School, said Mayor Phillip West.

At the board’s request, city Code Enforcement Officer Artimese Evans reported on options to help curb repeat violations of the grass cutting ordinance. Under state law, if the city has to cut a property owner’s grass more than one time a year, it can charge a 25 percent penalty or $250, whichever is more. The city’s inventory of grass cutting violations showed 28 repeat offenders last year. This year, 15 of those property owners have shown up on the list again, Evans said.

The board also voted to cut grass at properties on Purnell, Beaumont and North Rankin streets, charging the cost to the owners’ taxes.

The board voted to pay $900 to repair water damage to a building at Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Minor Street. The city contends Environmental Management Plus, which conduct asbestos abatement in that and several other buildings for the city, daaged the building’s roof in the process.

The board also voted to pursue the possibility of the company reimbursing the city for the cost of repairs to the building.