Natchez Alderman Tony Fields’ voice of reason at Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting was appreciated and needed.

The board heard from developer Jody Foster, who seeks to rezone a parcel of land on Ashburn Street to build 33 patio homes and townhouses, catering to elderly residents and those who may want to purchase vacation houses in Natchez.

At present, the land, which is located near the former Ashburn plantation and Arlington and the Routhland plantation home property, is zoned as villa residential. Foster seeks to change the zoning to R-3, which allows for a mixture of single-family and two-family homes.

The Natchez Planning Commission denied Foster’s rezoning request last month. However, the Board of Aldermen has final say in such matters.

City Planner Frankie Legaux said she thinks the land’s zoning was improperly designated in 2007 because those rezoning the land at the time thought the plantation still stood on the property. Ashburn plantation burned in 1872. She said the land is not registered as a Mississippi Landmark or in the state’s Department of Archives and History database.

The board called for a public hearing on the matter and a number of people spoke in favor of and against Foster’s proposed development.

Fields made a motion to table any decision on the matter until the board’s Aug. 26 meeting. In the meantime, he urged both sides to come together and try to work out a solution.

Foster seems willing to place restrictions on his plan, such as those that would limit his ability to build anything other than the patio and townhouses he is proposing.

Progress demands compromise. Natchez has a proven track record of being able to walk that fine line of preserving our rich history while allowing for developments that lead the way to an improved, modern way of life.

We are hopeful compromise can be found in this instance, too.