Ronnie Herbert says he has a legitimate business opportunity for north Natchez. But some residents — and city officials — are concerned about his proposed neighborhood grocery and laundromat. Tuesday, the Natchez Board of Aldermen will reconsider the zoning board’s denial of Herbert’s variance request to establish the grocery store.

In an April 11 meeting, the Natchez Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 to deny the variance request to open the store at 901 North Union St. City planning staff recommended the request be denied due to problems they said such a business would create in the area.

In the past, a grocery operated in the same building proposed for the new business. But since then, the land has been rezoned for residential use, so Herbert needs a variance to put a store there again. The zoning board had granted a previous request for a variance in February 1997, but the applicant failed to follow through with the plans.

At the meeting, according to the minutes, Assistant City Planner Gretchen Kuechler said the planning staff believes such a business would &uot;have a negative impact on the neighboring residential property owners.&uot;

Kuechler’s staff report cited concerns raised in the 1997 variance application, including &uot;noise, litter, loitering, traffic congestion and profane language.&uot;

Herbert said the zoning board is treating him unfairly based on what occurred with the past owners. &uot;I’m paying the price for what somebody else did,&uot; he said. &uot;All I’m trying to do is open up a legitimate business.&uot;

Herbert said a grocery and laundry facility are needed in the area. &uot;I’ve had people telling me they’ve got to go way across town to get a loaf of bread,&uot; he said.

Herbert said he was surprised by the zoning board’s decision to deny his variance request, and he is only interest is in improving the community. &uot;If everybody’s saying they care about the community, let’s show it,&uot; he said.

The Natchez Children’s Home is opposed to the grocery store. Executive Director Nancy Hungerford said she and her staff are concerned about noise, traffic and loitering. &uot;We just don’t need it,&uot; Hungerford said. &uot;We don’t need a grocery store and all its incumbent woes.&uot;

Hungerford recalled problems the home had with the former grocery several years ago.

&uot;It was a problem,&uot; she said. &uot;We had to call the police on more than one occasion.&uot;

The home for abused and neglected children is located diagonally across North Union Street from the site of the proposed grocery.

Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff said property owners and residents adjacent to the site have approached him expressing concerns of noise, traffic congestion and loitering.

Herbert said he has already spoken to a security agency and plans to operate a safe and &uot;legitimate&uot; business. &uot;It’s bad business to have people hanging around,&uot; Herbert said. &uot;I’m not going to tolerate it.&uot;

Herbert presented a petition at the April 11 meeting with more than 100 signatures in favor of the business. &uot;All I’m asking for is a fair chance,&uot; Herbert said.