JACKSON ACTS TO REGULATE MODULAR UNITS AS TEMPORARY OFFICES

JACKSON -- Businesses in Jackson that want to use modular homes for temporary office space must now obtain a special use permit.

By a 5-3 vote, the Jackson Board of Aldermen adopted the legislation that requires anyone using a modular home in Jackson for a temporary office to obtain the special use permit. The permit is good for two years and can be extended indefinitely one year at a time at the option of the board.

Aldermen LeRoy Brown, Kevin Sawyer, Paul Sander, Phil Johnston and Jack Piepenbrok voted for the legislation. Those opposed to it were Val Tuschhoff, David Ludwig and Glenn Oldham

The issue was tabled last month, after several aldermen objected to a two-year extension as had been called for in the proposed ordinance. Aldermen said the two-year extension would not provide an adequate incentive for businesses to construct permanent facilities.

In approving the measure Monday night, the board amended it to lower the extension time period from two years to one.

In other action, the board approved payment to Girardeau Contractors of $81,724.54 for asphalt street overlay work, and $53,088.01 to Fronabarger Concreters as final payment for paving one block of West Main, from Hope to High Street. Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen said all of the asphalt street overlay work is completed. He said the overlay of the two large parking lots at the rear of businesses on South High Street will most likely have to wait until spring, unless there are several days of dry weather later this month with temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees.

Bowen also reported no work was done on White Oak Street last week because of wet weather.

The board approved legislation authorizing the mayor to sign a five-year contract to purchase power from the city of Sikeston. City Administrator Carl Talley explained the new contract replaces previous contracts that were written for one-year periods.

The board authorized the installation of three street lights on Oakhill Road, two lights on East Jackson Boulevard, and one light each at the intersection of Smith Trail and Old Cape Road, and the intersection of Trail Ridge and Old Cape Road.