JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN OK PERMIT FOR 132 STORAGE SHEDS

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen approved a special-use permit allowing J.J. & R. Sander Real Estate, L.L.C. to build and operate a self-storage facility near Old Cape Road and K-Land Drive.

During the board's last meeting three homeowners, who have property near the proposed facility, voiced opposition to putting 132 storage sheds near their residential area.

One of the most vocal opponents, Gerald McElrath, 2635 Old Cape Road, did not want the sheds so close to his home. He said the business would be within 40 feet from his back door.

Randy Sander told the board his company had reached an agreement with McElrath.

"We have agreed to place a fence on Mr. McElrath's property," said Sander. The 8-foot-high fence would help provide privacy for McElrath's property.

McElrath agreed to the plan but wanted the board to understand he still opposed the site of the facility.

"I want to go on record, as still not being in favor of the sheds being built behind my house," he said.

McElrath said the fence would help provide some privacy for his property, but he still wants a buffer or a green zone between the sheds and his home.

Sander told the board his company would continue to work with McElrath on the problem.

Mayor Paul Sander said the bill's approval would be subject to certain provisions but the intent of the company to work with McElarth would not be part of the final ordinance passed.

One provision would be that lights on the sheds would be attached to the storage buildings and would not shine toward residential homes.

Also, the company will have to place storage sheds with their backs to residential zone boundaries, and no traffic would be allowed on the back boundary of the facility.

McElrath was the only homeowner who addressed the aldermen before the vote.

In other business, aldermen approved a motion to accept a re-bid of $80,000 from Fronabarger Concreters Inc. for the realignment project on Highway 61 and Route D.

Sander said the project was originally delayed for a short period because bids on the project came in above the state engineering estimate.

The project, which aligns Route D or Independence Street, with the New Independence Street near the intersection of Highway 61 and the current city pool entrance will include a new traffic safety light. A new pool park entrance will be placed south of the current entrance.

Sander said the project should be completed in time for the opening of the new school year. In the past, traffic has congested the intersection creating a hazard when school closes each day.

"This is a school-related safety emergency" he said. "We hope to have the project completed by Aug. 20."

Aldermen encouraged voters to approve today's vote on the $10.4 million city water and sewer improvements.

Property owner William J. Penrod has filed an injunction to keep the city from issuing construction and building permits that would result in sewage being introduced into the sewer line in his area. Penrod's property is at 1347 E. Main. Sewage in that area flows into the Main and Shawnee trunk sewer line.

Penrod claimed that overflow occurs during peak usage periods.

Sander and City Administrator Steve Wilson said the vote would provide a solution to the sewage backup problem in Penrod's area.

"The passage of the bond issue is the solution," said Sander. "But I cannot say that we would withhold permits that would stop growth in that area until the improvements are made."

Wilson said although the area does have a back flow problem at times, it was not a daily problem. The area is high on the list of the new sewer project priorities.

"I have had only two to three reports of a problem in that area in a period of one to two years," he said. "But I do acknowledge there are problems there."

The city has 30 days to respond to the injunction.