This is NOT {site_dir}/templates but {deploy_dir}/templates that you have to use when you deploy a website into a specific directory.
If you have put a value in the "deploy folder" then
Solution 1 (make subdirectory with symbolic links)
- Folder tabs / set action = "special copy"
- Common tabs / template folder = {deploy_dir}/templates
Solution 2 (make subdirectory with a copy)
- Folder tabs / set action = "copy"
- Common tabs / template folder = {deploy_dir}/templates
When the common "deploy folder" is empty, again 2 solution but replace {deploy_dir} by {site_dir}
- Folder tabs / all action = "ignore"
except action for templates = "special copy"
- Common tabs / template folder = {site_dir}/templates
Concerning the PHP Fatal error, can you confirm that you are using the latest JMS 1.3.29.
If this is not the case, see the FAQ for the procedure to get the latest version.
www.jms2win.com/en/faq/faq-joomla-multi-sites#cat-122