NATCHEZ &8212; The Natchez Planning Commission approved new regulations for townhouses, patio homes and zero lot line dwellings Monday.

The city&8217;s current codes do not allow for zero lot lines and don&8217;t address townhouses or patio homes.

The board recommended the board of aldermen approve the change in regulations and adopt it as code.

A revised planning code is in the works, consultant Corinne Fox said at the meeting, but the lack of a city planner meant it was a better choice to amend current codes in the meantime.

Among other things, the new regulations establish minimum lot sizes for such projects and prohibit accessory structures from being built before primary structures.

&8220;So you can&8217;t build a shed before you build the primary structure,&8221; Fox said.

It also establishes a minimum number of dwellings in townhouse or patio home projects and prohibits openings such as windows and doors from facing onto zero lot lines, &8220;so you&8217;re not opening a door onto your neighbor&8217;s property,&8221; she said.

This amendment would flow into any new or revised code that might be passed in the future, Fox said.

The board also approved the site plan for a hotel across Canal Street from the convention center, contingent on the agreement that landscaping and parking plans would be clarified.

City Engineer David Gardner said the contractors would likely block off the north half of Main Street for the length of two parking spaces to give them room to work, much like the construction on the federal courthouse on Pearl Street.

&8220;We&8217;ve got to provide space for them to stage things,&8221; Gardner said.

The property will have a brick and wrought-iron fence surrounding it, and it will not have an entrance on Canal Street because of traffic, Gardner said.

The board also approved the subdivision of properties on 211 Madison St. Northaven subdivision, Beechwood Development and on Duncan Avenue. They approved the site plan for patio homes being developed by Dick Thompson on Duncan Avenue, subject to the approval of landscaping plans.