JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN FACES ONGOING REZONING BATTLE

JACKSON -- An ongoing debate over residential rezoning continued at a public hearing Monday before the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

Dennis Siebert, whose mother owns property on Highway 72 near its intersection with West Main Street, said he wants the two-acre tract rezoned from residential to general commercial so that he can build rental storage units.

Commercial property already abuts Gladys Siebert's land. Her property is well maintained and would remain that way as long as it is in the Siebert family, Dennis Siebert said.

He countered concerns of Alan Crites, who lives on Cathy Drive and has led the battle against rezoning.

Siebert said a property owner should have the right to use his land in a beneficial way.

But Crites said he was concerned about the construction of rental storage units, what would be stored within the units and the type of neighboring development such a business would attract.

He said he feared a drop in the value of his property on Cathy Drive.

"A buyer would come in, look out my patio door and see a row of rental sheds," he said.

Initially, Siebert circulated a petition on the rezoning issue and received several signatures from people in favor of commercial rezoning.

But Crites said many of those people didn't understand the issue. He countered with a petition signed by nine Cathy Drive residents opposed to the rezoning.

Jackson's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the board reject the rezoning, which means a two-thirds majority of the board is required for its passage.

Following the hearing, Siebert said he hopes the board approves the request and allows his mother to go ahead with her project.

In other action, the board rezoned two tracts of land on East Main Street from single-family residential to general residential. The change allows for construction of duplexes and apartments.

While the action was recommended by planning and zoning, several East Main Street residents earlier expressed their disapproval of the action.

John Ryan said the issue was rushed through the meeting and people weren't given the opportunity to express their views.

Ryan and neighbor Bill Fadler said they are concerned about water run-off onto their properties due to East Main development.

The planning and zoning commission also will look into the advantages and disadvantages of rezoning part of the area to commercial, a plan which Ryan and Fadler strongly oppose.

AGENDA FOR JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMAN

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3

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POWER AND LIGHT COMMITTEE ACTION

Motion to contract with Sallee Powerline Construction for electric work. Tabled.

STREET COMMITTEE ACTION

Ordinance accepting the voluntary annexation of the David and Katherine Smith and the First General Baptist Church properties. Passed.

Ordinance approving the erection of six stop signs at certain locations in Grandview Acres and elsewhere. Passed.

Ordinance approving the rezoning of a 22-acre tract of land on East Main Street owned by Appleton Valley Farm Inc. from R-1 to R-3. Passed.

Ordinance approving the rezoning of a 3-acre tract of land on East Main Street owned by Appleton Valley Farm Inc. from R-1 to R-3. Passed.

Motion to extend Boatman Bank's lease three months from last extension date of Nov. 30, 1994, through February 1995. Passed.

Ordinance to pass title of a 1954 Chevrolet fire truck to Joe Thompson. Passed.

Preliminary plat for Willow Bend Subdivision. Tabled.

Ordinance accepting the final plat of Deerwood Subdivision. Passed.

Motion to purchase a refuse truck. Tabled.