FRONT-YARD CAR SALES AT ISSUE IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen will decide at its next meeting whether to allow vehicles for sale to be parked in front yards.

The city ordinance does not allow residents to park cars, trucks, boats or motorcycles on the front yard of their residences, and a vehicle for sale is restricted to a paved surface.

Some residents, however, want the city to allow a vehicle for sale to be parked in a front yard.

People spoke on both sides of the issue at a public hearing Monday night at City Hall.

Leon Schwab, who sells cars off his commercially zoned lot, said preventing people from putting cars for sale in their front yards means they will have to pay more by trading them in. "You're making it very lucrative for the dealers," he said.

He also said he sees the practice in other communities. "I feel very strongly that the City of Jackson is trying to be different from everybody else."

But Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said the city surveyed six comparable communities, including Cape Girardeau, and discovered that only Dexter allowed residents to park a car for sale in front yards.

Schwab was one of three people who spoke in favor of amending the ordinance.

"I want to do what I want to on my own lot," said Bob Wright.

Wilbur Proffer was one of six men who spoke against the amendment, saying: "Setting automobiles in front yards is an eyesore." He cited possible safety hazards.

Others repeated the theme of wanting to protect a beautiful city.

"I think it would be terribly abused," said the Rev. Robert Klein Sr.

The issue arose after the city had revised its nuisance abatement ordinance and discovered the section about off-street parking had not been addressed. Some members of the Board of Aldermen questioned whether the city's regulations were too stringent.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has voted to keep the city's ordinance without changes.

The issue is to be placed on the Dec. 20 agenda for a vote.

In other business, the board:

* Authorized the discharge of fireworks between the hours of 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31 and 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1. The decision was made in the expectation that people will want to celebrate the new millennium by shooting off fireworks -- "the fireworks of a lifetime," Sander said.

* Approved the preliminary plat of the Jackson Industrial Park Subdivision.

* Set a general municipal election for April 4 to fill the offices of aldermen of wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Jackson Board of Aldermen Agenda

Public hearings

* Held hearing to consider the request for voluntary annexation of property owned by Pattie Schumacher.

* Held hearing to consider the rezoning of 6.48 acres of land situated along the north side of Old Toll Road form I-1 (light industrial) to C-2 (general commercial) as submitted by Paul Bell representing the First Assembly of God Church.

* Held hearing to consider the proposed vacation of South Ohio Street between Jefferson and Madison streets.

* Held hearing to consider amendments to the City Code relative to public utilities and electric distribution installations in new subdivisions.

* Held hearing to consider amending section 29-18 of the City Code relative to off street parking regulations.

Action items

Power and Light Committee

* Authorized payment of Jackson Missouri Electric System Refunding Revenue Bonds Series 1998 due Jan. 1 in the amount of $235,000 principal and $15,610 interest.

* Set a public hearing to consider the 2000 proposed budget for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

* Approved an ordinance calling for general municipal election on April 4 to fill the offices of aldermen for the City of Jackson.

* Accepted the bid of Virginia Transformer Corp. of Roanoke, Va., in the amount of $203,924 and authorized the purchase of one 10 MVA substation power transformer.

* Authorized Pay Request #3 in the amount of $19,931.40 to Townsend Innovative Clearing and Growth Control under the Contractual Tree Trimming contract.

* Authorized advertisement for bids for foundation work and miscellaneous equipment purchases under the West Substation Upgrade Project.

Street Committee

* Approved the preliminary plat of the Jackson Industrial Park Subdivision as submitted by the City of Jackson

* Changed the regular council meeting date from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18 due to the Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday holiday.

* Set a public hearing under Chapter 88 RSMo, relative to the South Bast Street Improvement Project for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18.

* Approved a special-use permit for the establishment and operation of a professional office in an R-3 (general residential) district at 820 E. Jackson Blvd. as submitted by David Beasley.

* Authorized discharge of fireworks between the hours of 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31 and 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1.

Executive session

* Held executive session to discuss litigation, personnel and purchase of property.