NATCHEZ — Natchez Under-the-Hill could soon open its doors for overnight guests.

The Natchez Planning Commission recommended that the board of aldermen consider a text change amendment for the zoning code for Natchez Under-the-Hill during their October meeting. The aldermen will have a public hearing on the issue at their next regular meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 23, in the Council Chambers on Pearl Street.

City Planner Bob Nix said, if passed, guest houses will be allowed in Natchez Under-the-Hill as either permitted use or as a special exemption in the waterfront development zoning district.

But opening a new guest house wouldn’t be as easy as putting out a welcome mat, Nix said.

“The question becomes how do we deal with the facts of traffic and party noise,” he said. “Noise is a major source of conflict between residential and commercial properties.”

The change would also include language requiring any new structures or renovations of the exterior of existing structures to use approved sound absorbing building supplies to cut down on outside noises coming in, Nix said.

But it isn’t impossible to strike a balance, Nix said.

“New urbanism is all the rage across the country,” he said.

Planning Commissioner Ed Godfrey said some provision is needed to address noise when overnight guests are involved.

“This will put it on the builders to make sure they are addressing the noise issue,” he said.

Planning Commissioner Karen Stubbs said when amending zoning for the area, it is important to focus on the history and future of Natchez Under-the-Hill.

“I think we need to look at what the vision for that area is when we talk about changes,” she said.

Currently there is one guest house under construction in Natchez Under-the-Hill. Nix said that structure, as long as work is done with proper permitting, will be grandfathered in and not required to be in line with the proposed changes.

The exemption is only for projects started before Oct. 21.

“What this does is establish a standard if other properties begin to open there,” Nix said.