As a Natchez native and returned resident after a 40-year absence, I am appalled at the proposal being considered by the Natchez City Planning Commission and the board of aldermen to change the zoning for districts zoned B-2 to allow the creation and operation of RV parks/resorts inside the city limits of Natchez.

It is my concern that this change, which can have momentous consequences for the entire City of Natchez, is being considered to accommodate one developer without regard for many factors that make the change damaging to tourism, the downtown economy, and the peace and safety of neighborhoods near districts zoned B-2.

The purpose of the B-2 zoning ordinance states, “to provide goods and services to residents of the community.” RV parks/resorts do not fulfill the intent of this ordinance since they serve only a transient few and compete with already established restaurants, hotels, and bed and breakfast businesses.

No developer can guarantee nor discriminately control the quality of the transient population that uses the RV park/resort, since it is open for public use.

Other cities have rarely allowed RV parks/resorts within the city limits because of their incompatibility with existing neighborhoods and businesses.

It is seldom that “high end” RV parks/resorts can maintain that status very long, and when they decline a multitude of things could happen.

Natchez is unique among small towns in the South, but that uniqueness is fragile. The citizens of Natchez should be wary of changes by the Natchez City Planning Commission and board of aldermen which are rushed to conclusion without adequate publicity and concern for the dangers of the change. Otherwise, anything can be done in Natchez in the name of “progress” or “development,” and the uniqueness of Natchez will be destroyed.

Edna Parker Murphy

Natchez resident