Jackson aldermen OK rezoning of Oak Hill Road and East Main Street area

Senior housing developer Chad Hartle got a green light from the city of Jackson on Monday to continue with a new project in the city.

The board of aldermen voted to rezone three acres at Oak Hill Road and East Main Street, converting it from residential to commercial property. The board approved the measure 7-1, with Alderman Mark Dambach voting against it.

Neighbors along Oak Hill road said they were concerned about commercial zoning coming into the area. Hundreds of acres along East Main Street leading up to Interstate 55 are already commercially zoned, Hartle said.

"There's just one sliver of land that all this controversy is over," he said. He said he invited 50 neighbors to meetings to discuss the development. About eight showed up at the two meetings, he said.

The plot, which is currently owned by Kim and Lisa Weaver, includes eight acres. More than five acres will be developed as senior housing. The remaining plots will be available for single-family homes.

Denis Wydra, 301 Oak Hill Road, lives across the street from the residential plots. He said he is concerned the commercial area will deter people from moving into the area. He submitted a letter, signed by six neighbors, in protest of the rezoning.

He said he supports the idea of putting in senior housing. He is worried about other commercial developments coming in if Hartle does not receive funding for the project, he said.

The rezoning included an enhanced commercial overlay, which prevents certain types of businesses from coming into the area. It also requires a privacy fence and a green-space buffer area.

"It really does not give me much confidence," Wydra said.

Hartle submitted an application to the Missouri Housing Development Commission to secure funding for a 48-unit complex on the land. He also submitted applications for two projects in Farmington, Mo., and one development in Cape Girardeau at Park and Lorimier streets.

The commission will vote Feb. 19 to decide which projects to fund. If funding for the Oak Hill Road project is approved, Hartle said it could be complete by August 2011.

Separately, the board:

* Approved a resolution in support of a grant application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources under the energy saving alternative evaluation project.

* Approved a resolution in support of the formation of an Eastern Missouri Biosolids Cooperative.

* Approved a bill proposing an ordinance accepting the dedication of a sanitary sewer easement deed from John and Beverly Kinder regarding the Elwanda Drive relief sewer project.

* Approved change order number one to Fronabarger Concreters Inc. of Oak Ridge in the amount of $1,891.81, regarding the 2009 concrete street repair program.

* Approved change order number on to Lappe Cement Finishing Inc. of Perryville, Mo., in the amount of $6,414.21, regarding the 2009 concrete street routing and sealing program.

abusch@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

101 Court St. Jackson, MO