Planning discusses code, riverfront building heights

By Katie Stallcup (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Tuesday, October 16, 2007

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Planning Commission is considering limiting the height of riverfront construction to what it used to be.

In 2005 the board of aldermen voted to change the existing ordinance, raising the limitation to 75 feet. Previously, the city code restricted building height along the bluff to no taller than the tallest existing building in the surrounding area.

The changes came when the city was recruiting the bluff condo development and the convention center hotel.

At an informal work session Monday, former city attorney Walter Brown reviewed changes to the code and accepted suggestions for further change.

As it was originally written, the code would have allowed the planning commission to only make recommendations regarding site plans and other planning matters. All final decisions would have had to be made by the board of aldermen.

“That puts the board of aldermen at the end of every process, and the meetings would be even longer than they are now,” Brown said, addressing the commission.

After discussing it with both the aldermen and the planning commission, Brown said all were in favor of changing the proposed code to keep those procedures the way they currently are. The commission would make decisions, and anyone could appeal those decisions to the aldermen.

Another change to the proposed code was the prohibition of reader board signs, or those that are lighted and scroll words.

The current city code does not address the topic, Brown said. City policy prohibits the signs, but the board of aldermen has granted variances in the past.

The proposed code originally did not address the signs, but the change prohibits them.

The planning commission will meet Thursday and will likely vote on the changes. The code will then go before the board and a public hearing at their Nov. 13 meeting.

“Whether they’re going to vote on it on the 13th or in December, I don’t know, but we need to get this thing adopted,” Brown said.

Commission Chair Deborah Martin wondered if the commission would be informed if the aldermen made changes to the proposed code.

“Are they making changes to these changes?” Martin said. “They may want to change it. Are they going to tell us?”

Brown said the board might let them know, but it would be a good idea, if they wanted their voices heard, to attend the aldermen’s public hearing.

The proposed code combines various city ordinances, such as those addressing telecommunications, bed and breakfasts and sign regulations, into one code.