Jackson board reviews special-use permit process

Several skeptical Jackson residents asked questions Monday night concerning a special-use permit that would allow a future bakery to have a drive-through window.

The owners of Meyer's Bakery, which was destroyed in last year's tornado, want to have enough space to create a drive-through and a more driver-friendly parking lot for a new facility on busy East Jackson Boulevard.

The front 252 feet of the property is zoned commercial. The rear 550 feet is zoned for residential use. At the Jackson Board of Aldermen meeting last Monday night, the board defeated the request for a rezoning, but the board has opted to consider a special-use permit that would allow for nonresidential parking in a residential district.

The special-use permit would give the property owners, Brian and Connie Meyer and Chad and Geneva Hartle, an extra 100 feet for parking and a drive-through.

The board will make a decision at the next meeting.

Toby Crowden, who owns property adjacent to the proposed special-use permit, said vehicle headlights would likely shine right through his windows, particularly in the early morning hours when doughnuts are sold. He also questioned the owners' future plans for the rest of the property.

Chad Hartle said the land at the rear of the property wouldn't be of much use for further development because of its topography and isolation from streets.

The special-use permit will likely come with at least 14 conditions, nine that are mandatory and five others recommended by staff.

The mandatory restrictions include limits on the uses of the parking lot. The lot may only be open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and the parking lot lights must be shut off when the lot closes.

However, a special condition would allow the drive-through to be open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. The owners have requested that be changed to 5 a.m., when the bakery opens.

Mayor Paul Sander asked that the special-use permit ordinance be drafted to include security fences to block headlights.

If the residents surrounding the special-use permit get the required signatures for a formal petition, the board will have to pass the ordinance with a 2/3 majority.

Alderman Kerry Hoffman is one of the adjacent property owners. He said the ordinances and statutes do not prevent him from voting because he has no financial interest.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635