NATCHEZ — An oil operation on the property housing the historic landmark Arlington has recently garnered both concern and applause from local residents and city officials.

RMB Exploration LLC is currently conducting oil exploration for a potential well at the 9.3-acre site. The company has not completed the city’s procedural process to rezone the property to allow an oil operation.

The operation needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Natchez Preservation Commission because of its proximity to Arlington, rezoning approval from the Natchez Planning Commission and final approval from the Natchez Board of Aldermen.

Natchez City Planner Bob Nix said the company proceeded with securing funding and other initial phases of the project several years ago under the impression they had the necessary approvals from the city.

The company was under the impression the operation was approved, Nix said, because it had an oil and gas lease with the city and based on other information provided to the company by planning department staff prior to Nix being hired as city planner.

Nix said prior to an industrial development code change in 2008, there was a longstanding history in Natchez of allowing oil operations to proceed without receiving rezoning approval.

The aldermen approved an agreement at its meeting Tuesday allowing RMB to continue the oil operation at its own risk and with the understanding that the operation must get the necessary approvals from the planning and preservation commissions. The agreement also requires developers to repair any damages to the site or neighboring properties.

Some of the aldermen said at the meeting they were concerned about approving the agreement, but they ultimately decided the agreement was almost identical to the one they recently approved for DRAYCO Exploration’s operation that fronts Cemetery Road.

“But if they had went through the proper procedures, we wouldn’t be in this position,” Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard said.

Mike Biglane of RMB Exploration appeared before the preservation commission Wednesday for approval for the operation.

Several residents of the operation’s neighboring properties voiced their opinions in favor and opposition of the oil operation at the preservation meeting.

Joe Eidt, who lives near the operation, said he understands the positive economic impact of the operation, but he said he hopes the commission carefully considers the direct impact on the peace and property value of his neighborhood.

“I wanted you to hear from a resident that’s most directly impacted and one whose life savings is tied up in our property, and who might want to eventually move out of there,” he said to the commission.

Patsy Collins said the operation is in her backyard and though it is an inconvenience, she said she will suffer through it if it means money and jobs for Natchez.

“If I had my way, we’d have an oil well on every corner,” she said. “Let people put up with the noise.”

Kathleen Jenkins, National Park Service superintendent, said she was concerned about the operation’s negative impact on Arlington. She said NPS is still holding out hope for the eventual restoration of the landmark.

“I ask you to take what action you can to protect this very fragile resource,” she said to the commission.

Arlington is owned by Tom Vaughn, a medical doctor who lives in Jackson, who has refused to resolve the neglect of Arlington. Judge Jim Blough found Vaughn guilty of demolition by neglect in December 2009.

Mike Biglane of RMB Exploration said he has a lease agreement with several of the residents and landowners of the neighboring properties, including Vaughn.

The preservation commission voted to postpone any action regarding RMB’s application and asked Biglane to present plans at its next meeting addressing concerns including a buffer for the noise and visibility of equipment and the impact on Arlington.

Nix said the applications of RMB and DRAYCO brought to his attention flaws in the procedural process of city approval for oil operations.

Nix said he is planning to present an amendment of the current code to the aldermen in the next few months that he said will streamline the approval process for oil and gas operations.

The amendment, Nix said, will eliminate the planning commission having to rezone each individual property and will make oil and gas operations a special exception land use.

Developers will still have to receive appropriate commission approval, but could do so with one public hearing. Nix said the amendment will cut an eight or 10-week process down to four or five weeks.

The code, Nix said, will also be easier for people to understand and make the process more simplified and transparent, which will he said he hopes will eliminate the issues that came up with DRAYCO and RMB.