JACKSON BOARD GOES AGAINST PLANNING COMMISSION OVER CARS

JACKSON -- It is now legal for Jackson residents to sell their car from their front lawn.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Monday night to amend the city's zoning and nuisance ordinances to allow residents to sell their own vehicles on unpaved surfaces on their property.

The board went against a recommendation by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, which unanimously had voted to reject the amendments. The P&Z had questioned the aesthetics of allowing residents to park their vehicles for sale on lawns and also had safety concerns.

Before amended Monday night, the ordinances allowed the sale of vehicles only from paved surfaces.

A press release issued by Mayor Paul Sander and the Board of Aldermen stated that "this minor change was warranted because many citizens do not have hard surface driveways to display a personal vehicle for sale."

The release also said it was unreasonable for residents with one-lane driveways to constantly move a "for sale" vehicle to gain access to their residence. The amendments also help residence who live on streets that have no parking, according to the release.

The ordinance allows only one vehicle to be sold at a time. The vehicle must belong to the owner of the residence.

As for safety concerns about vehicles blocking sight distances, City Administrator Steve Wilson said parking in a manner that would limit drivers' sight distances already is illegal.

After the vote, Alderman Dave Hitt said he voted to uphold the right of individual property owners to use their property as they want.

Under the previous ordinance it was technically illegal to park a vehicle in the front yard to wash or wax it, Alderwoman Val Tuschoff said, explaining her vote.

Alderman Dave Reiminger also voted to uphold individual property rights. "You ought to have the right to sell your property on your own property," he said.

He didn't like going against the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation, though. "They almost always use good judgment," he said. "But I felt as though if I had my own vehicle I had the right to do that."

In other business Monday night, the board:

• Approved a contract with Monroe Plumbing & Heating Co. Inc. of Cape Girardeau to upgrade the Old Toll Road Lift Station.
• Heard Assistant City Administrator Larry Koenig explain that Andrew Jackson's head had not been stolen from the city's "Welcome to Jackson" sign as the police department had reported last weekend. The city had removed Jackson's head for refurbishing.