Batesville Board of Zoning Appeals and Batesville Advisory Plan Commission members, Mayor Rick Fledderman and city department heads met Aug. 20 to discuss consultants’ updates of the city’s comprehensive plan.

Facilitator Dave Raver, BAPC and BBZA president, began by saying, “The last time we adopted a plan was in 1997 .... We started with a blank piece of paper .... A small group developed” it.

“Today, with the 2008 plan, we started with the ’97 plan .... and updated it” by deleting what was no longer valid and adding what was needed.

“Outside consultants talked with department heads, and they gave us their recommendation .... We wanted the planning commission, zoning board and department heads to talk about the consultants’ plan .... (because) we didn’t want to go to the public with a plan we didn’t agree with.

“This is a working meeting.” He indicated they would focus on about 35 pages of the 80-page document.

The purpose of the plan is outlined in five key elements: highway systems being carefully planned; Batesville growing only with adequate public way, utility, health, educational and recreational facilities; the needs of industry and business being recognized in future growth; residential areas providing healthful surroundings for family life; and the growth of Batesville being commensurate with and promotive of the efficient and economical use of public lands.

Raver read four vision statements, noting that two stayed the same – “Maintain and improve the quality of life in this progressive yet conservative community by actively planning for and managing any growth, thus keeping Batesville a good place to live, work and raise a family” and “Maintain Batesville’s small-town atmosphere and features, while allowing our citizens, students and businesses to compete effectively in the 21st century.” The others were changed slightly.

Being neutral toward growth became encourage healthy growth because “some people thought being neutral was too passive,” the moderator revealed.

By modifying the wording, “We defined that we expect growth to happen .... (and) recognize that growth will take place.”

Additions were made to the “minimize high-density land-use areas and traffic patterns where possible” statement to include “by locating new development in areas with adequate infrastructure and by incorporating open space into areas with higher density land uses.”

Regarding future land use, Raver remarked the areas south and southwest of the city are “great for residential development .... Businesses could go there, but it’s not very convenient.”

Areas near Pocket Road from Huntersville Road to State Road 229 were designated primarily residential, with consideration for small-scale neighborhood commercial development.

BBZA member Mary K. Cambron asked what type of development this referred to. Raver gave some examples, including a convenience store, small strip mall and doctor’s offices, but added, “The only business they’re going to get is from the residents out there .... Maybe we should even be more aggressive about limiting commercial development.”

Members agreed the area east of S.R. 229 by the former drive-in theater would be primarily residential, with a secondary focus on business.

City council member Gene Lambert inquired, “Regarding industry, why allow it anywhere but in the industrial park, particularly heavy industry?”

The facilitator emphasized, “That’s exactly what we’re doing .... We had industry OK’d on Coonhunters (Road), and we’ve taken that out except what’s already zoned” industrial.

He also suggested looking at what’s currently zoned industrial and possibly rezoning it.

Raver questioned those in attendance: “If we have a big box retailer ... or an outlet mall that wants to come to Batesville, where are we going to put it?”

“Six Pine Ranch,” responded business owner Ron Linville.

“We could go down (S.R.) 46 West toward New Point,” announced Fledderman.

“I sort of see those as separate,” noted resident Mike Cambron. “A big box retailer ... is there to serve the residents .... For the latter example, I can’t imagine they wouldn’t want to be anywhere where they weren’t visible from the interstate.”

Raver reported, “The best land in Batesville for any more high visibility retail ... is next to The Hansen Center or where the drive-in theater used to be .... Once you lose those, you don’t have any more.”

After further discussion on these and other items, the president commented, “Basically, I think we’ve endorsed everything in here .... and can take it to the public.

“We will take the input tonight and finalize this (comprehensive plan) booklet .... schedule a public meeting .... (and) take the feedback we get and will finalize recommendations to the city council.”

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.