JACKSON BUSINESS DISTRICT UNLIKELY TO CHANGE SIZE

JACKSON, Mo. -- At the end of 2000, the Jackson Planning and Zoning Commission decided to consider shrinking the size of the city's central business district. Some members felt the core business district extended too far given the thriving commercial growth outside the district on East Jackson Boulevard. They also wanted to protect the residences in the district by restricting the ability to build from lot line to lot line.

Tuesday, the Jackson Board of Aldermen is expected to follow P&Z's recommendation and leave the central business district the way it is.

"Quite frankly, the people that spoke at the public hearing changed our minds," says Barbara Lohr, the P&Z chairwoman.

At the Jan. 10 public hearing, about 30 people spoke against the rezoning, which would have required 30-foot front setbacks and 25-foot rear setbacks for the 181 properties affected. Though a number of complaints were received when the Cape Girardeau County Archive Center was built lot line to lot line next to residences on East Washington Street last year, nobody spoke in favor of the rezoning at the public hearing.

"I'm assuming they are not concerned," Lohr said.

Under the proposed change, properties that did not conform would have been grandfathered in. But those who opposed the rezoning were concerned that they would not be able to rebuild as they wanted if their building was razed or damaged by fire or flooding or an act of God.

Some have small lots they said would be useless with the setbacks.

Rodney Bollinger, the city's planning and zoning official, said more than 50 of the properties affected would have been nonconforming.

The P&Z vote against the changing the size of the central business district was unanimous.

Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen also will decide whether to set a public hearing on a request for a special use permit for a motor vehicle storage business at 402 E. Adams St. The area is zoned I-2 for heavy industrial use but some houses are nearby.

After listening to people speak both for and against the permit, P&Z approved on a 5-2 vote while adding eight conditions to control lighting, fencing and signs. The business is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Turbeville.

The public hearing tentatively would be set for 7:30 p.m. March 19.

JACKSON AGENDA

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

City Hall

Action Items

Power and Light Committee

nConsider a bill proposing an ordinance accepting a Hubble Creek Improvement District easement from Ronald Clark and Bobby Clark.

• Consider a bill proposing an ordinance accepting dedication of a water line easement from John Crites.

Street Committee

• Consider a motion to file the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to reject the rezoning of 181 individual properties situated in an area which is described as being generally bounded by Bast Street to the west, Cherry Street to the north, Georgia Street to the east, and West Jackson Boulevard to the south, from C-3 (central business) to C-2 (general commercial) as submitted by the City of Jackson.
• Consider a motion to set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, to consider the request for a special use permit for the establishment and operation of a motor vehicle storage business in an I-2 (heavy industrial) District at 402 E. Adams St.