NATCHEZ — The city has been stumped by a fruit stand.

City ordinance states fruit stands are not allowed within the city limits, yet a fruit stand has been in operation on Pilgrim Boulevard near D’Evereux Drive for months.

However, City Planner John “Rusty” Lewis has written a text amendment for the existing city ordinance to allow fruit stands in a B-4 zoning district, as long as the stand is located 300 feet from a U.S. highway.

The text amendment is not site specific, yet the board of aldermen continuously found themselves discussing the Pilgrim Boulevard fruit stand that “pulled the trigger” that was the genesis for the text amendment.

Lewis said the fruit stand was placed and has been operating illegally, and he should have to make an application with the planning department for his fruit stand if the text amendment passes.

The fruit stand is owned by George Davis, and according to Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis and Alderman James “Ricky” Gray, any text amendment to change the ordinance should not affect Davis and his stand, since it has been in operation for years.

According to the two elected officials, Davis should be grandfathered in, therefore he should not have to make an application for his stand with the planning department.

Mathis made a motion that the text amendment be tabled so further discussion could ensue.

Dillard seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

In other business:

4 The Rev. Clifton Marvel appeared before the board to discuss damages to his backyard fence and driveway stemming from a drainage ditch project on Minor Street.

Mayor Jake Middleton said he will visit Marvel’s residence to inspect the damage, and if it is the city’s responsibility, it will be handled appropriately.

4 Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens encouraged all residents of Natchez and Adams County to sign up for the Code Red weather warning system.

“I’m very impressed with it,” Owens said. “It called my phone within 15 to 30 seconds of a National Weather Service Warning.”

Those interested can visit www.adamscountyms.gov.

4 Jordan, Kaiser and Sessions was awarded business of the month.