Jackson creates zoning for professional offices

Business Today

JACKSON -- Jackson has joined Springfield and Columbia as one of the few cities in the state with a separate zoning designation for professional office buildings.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen on April 1 unanimously approved an ordinance creating the 0-1 District for professional office districts, a zoning designation Mayor Paul Sander described as "somewhere in between commercial and residential zoning."

The need for a new zoning designation was raised by Sander after the Southeast Missouri Medical Center Inc. tried to acquire a commercial zoning for a 19.1-acre tract at the corner of Broadridge and Route D. Though officials with the nonprofit organization said they hoped to sell lots to medical and dental professionals, neighbors complained that the city's commercial zoning would allow restaurants, gas stations and other uses that could dramatically increase traffic.

Sander doesn't expect the zoning to be used frequently, but said it makes sense in "fringe areas."

The Broadridge-Route D intersection probably will be the first use of the 0-1 zoning, he said.

In the 0-1 District, uses are limited to 11 general categories:

-- Professional services such as medical, dental, legal, engineering and accounting. Animal hospitals and animal clinics are excluded.

-- Financial services, including insurance carriers and banking.

-- Government services, excluding prisons and military bases.

-- Educational services, including public and private schools.

-- Churches.

-- Nursing homes.

-- Publicly owned facilities, such as parks, libraries and fire stations.

-- Child-care centers.

-- Gyms associated with schools or hospitals.

-- Restaurants and gift shops if they are operated as an accessory to a permitted use.

Any other use not permitted if authorized by the board and consistent with the 0-1 District regulations.