JACKSON ALDERMEN REJECT CONTROVERSIAL REZONING REQUEST

JACKSON -- A controversial request to change the zoning of a tract of property in the 800 block of East Jackson Boulevard was overwhelmingly defeated Tuesday by the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

The board also approved a contract with a private developer that also signals the start of the East Main Street Extension project.

The board's regular meeting was moved to Tuesday because of the Martin Luther King holiday.

The aldermen voted 6-1 to reject the request of Gerald W. McElrath to rezone his property at 810 E. Jackson from R-3 to C-1 commercial.

The site is located east of Brennecke Chevrolet and is now zoned for professional offices and clinics. McElrath wanted the C-1 classification to take advantage of the demand for space for small retail and other businesses.

However, a majority of the property owners who live on Gerald Street, situated immediately behind and adjacent to McElrath's property, objected to the zoning change during earlier public hearings held by the planning and zoning commission and the board of aldermen. The property owners claimed the change in zoning would increase traffic on their residential street and diminish property values.

The only person to vote for the change in zoning was Ward 4 Alderman Jack Piepenbrok. Because the planning and zoning commission voted 6-1 to recommend denial of the change in zoning, McElrath needed at least a 2/3 vote of the board.

In other business, the board approved a contract with private developer John Lichtenegger that also involves the start of the East Main Street Extension Project, from Shawnee Drive to Oak Hill Road. The contract includes plans for the earthwork needed to bring the right-of-way to grade for paving.

The board also approved job descriptions for the new public works director Mark Brown and Larry Koenig, who will become personnel director and office manager for the city, upon the appointment of a new police chief.

Mayor Paul Sander explained the job descriptions are needed because both Brown and Koenig will themselves be upgrading existing job descriptions for all other city employees.

An ordinance that would have established residency requirements for city employees was tabled at the request of the mayor until all eight aldermen could be present. Ward 3 Alderman Glenn Oldham was not present at Tuesday's meeting.

This marked the second time discussion and a vote on the residency ordinance has been tabled.

The board also approved a motion to re-submit for a second time a community development block grant application. The grant would be used to make street repairs and other improvements in the northeast part of the city, along Greensferry Road. The first application was not funded by the state.

The mayor announced the appointment of Ward 1 Alderman David Hitt to the ad hoc East Main Street Extension Committee, at Hitt's request.

The mayor also reminded the board that city officials will meet at 1:30 p.m Jan. 25 with Freeman McCullah, Missouri Highway and Transportation Department District Ten engineer. During the meeting, McCullah is expected to review results of a traffic and intersection study conducted at the intersection of West Jackson Boulevard and South Farmington.

The city has asked the state to consider making improvements at the intersection, and along South Farmington as a result of a major expansion by the Coca Cola Company in the Seabaugh Industrial Tract. That expansion is expected to significantly increase traffic at the intersection.