Jackson aldermen table rezoning, permit after public hearing

Because of objections voiced during public hearings, the Jackson Board of Aldermen unanimously tabled ordinances for rezoning of a parcel of land and the issuance of a special-use permit at its meeting Monday.

The vote to table the items came after public hearings held during the meeting that addressed rezoning of a section of land at the intersection of East Main Street and North Oak Hill Road and issuing a special-use permit so town-house apartments could be built on the property. Several Jackson residents spoke during the hearing to voice their objections to the building of the apartments.

Amy Adams said she believed building a new apartment complex on the property would cause Jackson to lose some of its charm.

"Jackson is a charming community," Adams said. "I'm concerned with the number of units that could be built on the property. It would be a community unto itself and wouldn't lend itself to the neighborhood."

"I feel we're not getting all of the information we need," Keith Hente said. "Will the apartments be high-end luxury apartments or government subsidized? How many residents will there be?"

The property in question would potentially be developed by Gill Family Properties LLC of Cape Girardeau.

"The town houses will not be government apartments," said Robert Moss, a spokesman for Gill Family Properties. "There will be 60 two-story town houses going up and they will rent somewhere between $700 and $850 a month."

Jim Harris said he thought that amount was cheap.

"Three college kids could live there for less than $300 a month," Harris said. "I'm afraid that's who we're going to get in there."

After more citizens spoke on matters such as traffic safety around the property, the motion to table the ordinances was brought by Alderman Larry Cunningham.

"After the objections we've heard, I'd like to see the sections tabled," Cunningham said.

The aldermen indicated rezoning the property and the issuance of the special-use permit would be revisited at their meeting Dec. 2.

In other action, the aldermen approved a motion to set a public hearing Dec. 16 to consider the proposed 2014 Jackson annual budget, which includes proposed sewer utility service rate increases and other utility service rate increases.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.

East Main Street and North Oak Hill Road, Jackson, Mo.