Jackson aldermen OK permits for gun shop, tattoo studio

The Jackson Board of Aldermen granted special-use permits to a gun shop and a tattoo studio at Tuesday night's meeting.

Before the board approved the permits, there was a public hearing for members of the community to voice support for or opposition to the proposed businesses. Two people spoke in favor of the gun shop and one person spoke in favor of the tattoo studio; no one spoke against either business.

Janet Sanders, building and planning superintendent for the city, said no district in Jackson is zoned for either of those types of establishments and that the permits will allow the businesses to operate.

The gun shop will be on Main Street across from city hall, and the tattoo studio will be on Old Cape Road in a strip mall housing several beauty salons and other businesses.

The board also approved an increase in the city's building permit fees. Currently the flat fees for plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits are $10 to $15. The fee has been increased to $20. Sanders said this is the first time the fee has been raised since 1960.

The method for calculating building permit fees for new construction and additions is changing from a fee based on the declared construction cost, which is provided by the applicant, to a per-square-foot formula into which the square footage and average construction cost per square foot for the type of use and type of construction will be input.

"The intent was not a revenue-seeking one, but to provide a fair method for calculating permit fees with a more level comparison between construction projects," Sanders said. The last time the fee was changed was 1990.

Aldermen also voted to approve a change order to the Lappe Cement Finishing contract to reduce the contract amount by $3,591. This amount was originally in the contract to cover utility relocation that is no longer required.

Other action

The board also approved:

* A motion naming Oct. 9 the seventh annual Recycling Center Customer Appreciation Day.

* A motion authorizing a contract with RJN Group of St. Louis to provide engineering services.

* A motion entering a contract with Tom Beussink Excavating Inc. of Jackson in the amount of $1.50 per cubic yard regarding Russell Heights Cemetery grading project.

* A motion approving the preliminary plat of Savannah Ridge West, Phase 3 Subdivision.

* Motions authorizing the use of loudspeakers from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 15 at 225 S. High St. and from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23 at 2490 St. Andrews Drive.

* A motion authorizing the closure of parts of North High Street, Brookview Street and Veterans Memorial Drive and the use of loudspeakers at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 18 for the VFW POW-MIA parade and ceremony.

* An ordinance amending the flashing signals schedule to include the South Hope Street light.

* A motion changing the completion date for the North Hope Street improvement project from Sept. 12 to Sept. 24.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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Pertinent Address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO

117 W. Main St., Jackson, MO

1335 Old Cape Road, Jackson, MO