Jackson aldermen approve annexation for McKendree Crossing project

The city of Jackson is about 24 acres larger after the board of aldermen Monday night approved the voluntary annexation of property on South Old Orchard Road.

The property is slated to be developed by Silver Keys Properties and Master Craft Development into a subdivision called McKendree Crossing.

Most of the property also was rezoned during the meeting Monday night from R-1 residential to R-2 residential, thus reducing maximum lot sizes from 12,000 to 8,000 square feet.

Smaller lot sizes, developers said, are necessary to make the project financially viable.

The annexation comes at the end of a months-long application process, during which developers overcame city officials' initial reluctance to see the land used for residential purposes. The land had been intended for commercial development, but that type of interest in the property had never materialized.

Developers said throughout the process the property was better suited for residential use anyway.

Now the land is under the city jurisdiction, residents will have access to city resources such as water, power and sewer.

Alderman Larry Cunningham spoke in favor of the annexation.

"If this were to be built in the county, there would be some losses," he said, citing missed tax-base and electrical-service opportunities. "That's how we make our money, guys."

He also acknowledged one of the project's main hangups -- the land's anticipated commercial use -- but said it's better to have the land put to good use.

He pointed out there exists plenty of available commercial land to be developed in the city.

"I realize we initially wanted this to be a commercial corridor, but we have people who are ready to -- and have already -- invested a lot into this, and it would be a shame to deny them that," Cunningham.

Alderwoman Katy Liley expressed concerns regarding the annexation process.

Because the city's annexation protocol automatically designates new land as residential, properties earmarked for commercial development face an extra hurdle.

She recommended the city re-evaluate its annexation protocol to accommodate not only residential designations, but commercial and agricultural ones as well, to be used as needed.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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