In an effort to make businesses &uot;more friendly&uot; to neighborhoods, city planners have suggested including more restrictions to neighborhood business districts.

&uot;We’re trying to make neighborhood business more neighborhood friendly,&uot; said City Planner David Preziosi said.

The proposed amendment for B-1 neighborhood business districts includes these restrictions:

Reducing the building height from 35 feet to 25 feet;

Requiring approval by special exception several land uses now permitted by right;

Enabling the planning commission to address buffering and screening in the form of landscaping or fencing on a case-by-case basis when non-residential properties are next to residential properties.

Some land uses now permitted in B-1 neighborhood business districts but which would be only permitted by special exception under the amendment are automobile filling stations, clubs or lodges, drug store, fix-it shops, grocery stores, restaurants and retail sporting goods stores.

Special exception uses have to be approved by the Natchez Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Recent objections by residential property owners to proposed B-1 districts in their neighborhoods prompted the planning staff to consider the changes, said Assistant City Planner Gretchen Kuechler.

&uot;It is clear that residential property owners desire more restrictive land uses controls on the development of non-residential properties located adjacent to or within residential neighborhoods,&uot; she said in her staff report.

The Natchez Metro Planning Commission has recommended approval of the amendment to the board of aldermen. Aldermen are scheduled to vote on the amendment at their Tuesday meeting at 11 a.m.