BALKY COUNTY LANDOWNER AGREES TO EASEMENT DEAL

JACKSON, Mo. -- A months-long disagreement between the City of Jackson and county resident Pam Owens over the city's plans to run a water line through her property has been settled.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen on Monday accepted dedication of a water line easement from Owens. Owens agreed to the easement on the advice of her attorney, John Lichtenegger, though she says she still opposes having the water line run across her property at 2944 Highway 25 in the southern part of the city.

The city will pay her $6,500 for the right to run the 10-inch water line across 735 lineal feet of her property. The city's original offer was $1,272.52 for 636 lineal feet of easement.

Money was not the issue, said Lichtenegger, who was given permission by Owens to discuss her reasons for agreeing to the easement.

He said he advised her against going through the strain of a condemnation action in court.

"This is a matter close to Mrs. Owens' life," he said. "It can be very stressful. It makes sense when you have the opportunity to make a settlement and you can get it in a location that is preferable."

Line location changed

The city agreed to move the location of the line to the northern boundary of Owens' property and to use a boring technique to lay the water line rather than dig.

Owens remains concerned that putting in the water line will damage the root systems of some of her trees.

Running the water line through the southern part of the city will create a loop that will greatly increase capacity in an area of expected growth and will improve water pressure for residents already hooked up to city water, city officials say.

Jackson is acquiring the easement under a state law that allows cities to condemn property within 10 miles of city limits.

The city still needs to acquire four more easements before the project can begin.

In other business Monday, residents came before the board to oppose a preliminary city plan to run a bypass from Highway 72/34 at West Lane around the southern part of the city. The residents said the West Lane intersection already is overloaded with traffic and would become more dangerous to the schoolchildren who walk in the area.

They handed Mayor Paul Sander a petition signed by 78 people who oppose the plan.

Sander reassured the group that the bypass plan is in the early talking stages and has not yet been funded.