Commission postpones Humane Society shelter plans

Published 12:08 am Friday, May 17, 2013

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Planning Commission postponed approval Thursday of plans for a new Natchez-Adams County Humane Society animal shelter.

The commissioners agreed they had not had time to properly review plans because they were provided the plans for the $900,000 shelter by city staff minutes before the meeting.

The commissioners had questions regarding drainage and the parking lot.

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The lot is currently planned to be 6-inch thick limestone because that material is being donated for the shelter, NACHS vice-chair Sue Stedman said.

City code requires parking to be concrete or asphalt. Stedman said NACHS was requesting a variance because the limestone was being donated. She said the humane society does plan to pave the lot in the future.

The commission also tabled an application from Doug and Regina Charboneau for a planned unit development on the former King’s Tavern property for a restaurant, specialty gift shop that would be permitted as a package store and a third business.

The Charboneaus were out of town and not at the meeting, and commissioners said they needed more information about the planned development.

Commissioners asked questions about access to the gift shop package store, which will be upstairs. Kevin Miers, who has been working with the Charboneaus on interior design for the property, said the shop’s entrance will be up exterior stairs and accessed from the deck.

Commissioners also cited concerns about not knowing what the third use of the property will be.

Resident Teri Tillman encouraged the commission to table the application because she felt they needed more information. Tillman said she has four properties nearby that will be impacted by the business and wants more details herself.

The Rev. Birdon Mitchell, pastor at Zion Chapel, told the commission he wanted to ask the Charboneaus whether they planned to use the church’s parking lot, which is across from the restaurant. He said it has in the past been used by nearby businesses.

The commission set a specially called meeting for 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to take up the animal shelter and King’s Tavern applications.

In other news from the meeting:

•The commission approved rezoning for a lot at the end of Hunter’s Lane for the potential retirement community development with 10 structures. The development will have to return the commission for site plan approval.