BELLE — The Belle Planning and Zoning Commission will proceed with its Nov. 3 public hearing and regular meeting at the Belle Community Center despite a scheduling conflict with Election Day, following discussion during the Oct. 13 meeting of the Belle Board of Aldermen.

Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell initially announced that the public hearing would begin at 6 p.m., followed by the commission’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Aldermen subsequently realized that the hearing had been scheduled for the same evening as the November general election, with voting taking place at the community center.

Board members considered whether the hearing could be moved to a later time or rescheduled to another date. However, officials raised concerns about changing the hearing after public notices had already been published.

With the hearing already advertised, aldermen discussed whether the commission could use a separate portion of the community center while voting continued.

The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 3, followed by the regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Belle Community Center.

Commission membership changes

Earlier in the meeting, Mitchell announced that Kevin Guffey had decided to step down from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Mitchell said Guffey contacted him about leaving the commission, citing work he had performed in the area as a reason for the decision.

“He said it was in the best interest, means he’s done work over there, that he needed to get off of the planning and zoning committee,” Mitchell told aldermen.

Guffey had not yet been sworn in to serve on the commission, according to Mitchell.

Following the announcement, Mitchell recommended Adam Pageant to fill the position.

“I’ve got had a guy come forth that he would be interested in it,” Mitchell said before asking aldermen to approve the appointment.

A motion was made and seconded to add Pageant to the commission, and the board voted in favor of the appointment.