With snickers and a few red faces, Natchez aldermen set an appeal hearing for a sexually-oriented business for their Oct. 10 meeting. The city planning department turned down Natchez resident Barbara Shepherd’s request to open an adult book/video store at 272 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, because the site is located within 600 feet of a residential property.

The city’s ordinance also restricts such businesses from locating within 500 feet of churches, schools, daycare centers, parks, landmarked downtown historic districts and government-owned buildings.

City Planner David Preziosi said Shepherd’s proposed business, tentatively named Pleasure Land, would carry items listed in the city’s code as &uot;instruments, devices or paraphernalia which are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities.&uot;

Since the restrictions are part of the city’s ordinance, not the zoning ordinance, any appeal must come directly before the mayor and aldermen.

In other business, the board:

Amended the city map to change three parcels of property on South Canal and Simmons streets from residential to general business.

Approved work on Grant Street with assistance from Adams County.

Awarded a $112,001.87 bid to R.W. Delaney Construction for construction of eight soil conservation projects funded by the National Resource Conservation Service.

Transferred $75,000 from the gaming fund to the insurance fund and raised insurance premiums for city employees from $125 to $150.

Granted James Johnson, Economic and Community Development coordinator, permission to extend Home Investment Partnerships Program grant for Carpenter School No.1 to July 2001.

Formalized an agreement with Eric Glatzer, Natchez Bluffs Blues Festival promoter, that sets the 2001 festival for April 21 in Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with exceptions for the 5:15 Mass and funerals at adjacent St. Mary Basilica.