A proposed zoning ordinance within Bentonia could be adopted next month following a public hearing.
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Bentonia intend to consider the proposed adoption of a Zoning Ordinance during the regular board meeting on Aug. 5 at 6 pm. at the Bentonia Town Hall, located at 220 East Railroad Ave. The public hearing will also be held at that time.
“The purpose of this hearing will be to obtain citizen input on the proposed ordinance,” the town of Bentonia reports.
The notice said that the proposed ordinance can be viewed online at www.townofbentonia.org or on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Bentonia Town Hall. However, The Herald could only locate the proposed zoning map online, not the exact wording.
One Bentonia resident told The Herald she is concerned about the future of the small, rural community with the proposed ordinance. Her concerns include how the zoning proposal would affect tourism, property value, home insurance and inheritance.
The resident also told The Herald the proposed ordinance does not negatively impact some areas where elected officials live, which she said she believes was by design.
“Notice that (zones) where board members live do not directly border anything that will mess with their lives,” she added. “Why aren’t any of the officials’ homes in the areas affected by the proposal?”
The resident said she encourages other Bentonia residents to stop by the Town Hall to review the proposed ordinance, stating that there are some property regulations that could arrive with the new ordinance.
