MANCHESTER — Aldermen have sent a proposed ordinance restricting new prison construction on to a public hearing.

The public will have its chance to weigh in on the proposal on March 6 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.

The proposed ordinance changes, which were supported by the Committee on Bills on Second Reading last week, calls for limiting new prison construction to the industrial area near the Manchester airport.

If passed, this ordinance would be a major impediment in plans to build a private prison on Hackett Hill.

There was no discussion Tuesday on the possible zoning changes. The aldermen approved the public hearing at the beginning of the meeting as part of a package of routine city business.

The city currently has no control over where privately owned or operated prisons can operate in the city after the New Hampshire Supreme Court shot down the city's ordinance covering private prisons. To resolve this issue, city officials recommended that aldermen approve a new ordinance with tight restrictions.

The ordinance would limit private prisons to industrial zones on a lot of 5 acres or more and 1,500 feet from a church, school, park, licensed day care facility, child recreation facility such as a YMCA or residential zones.

Alderman Tom Katsiantonis, who represents Ward 8 where the industrial zone is located, said he is against the proposed zoning changes and wants to see the prison zone located elsewhere in the city.

The ordinance also sets zoning restrictions on halfway houses.