JACKSON ESTABLISHES NEW ZONING CATEGORY

JACKSON -- Members of the Board of Aldermen Monday night approved an ordinance that would give a home to commercial operations that don't fit under the city's zoning ordinances.

Members unanimously voted to make an addition to the zoning ordinance "approving certain uses not specifically permitted in the zoning ordinance."

Mayor Paul Sander said the addition has been considered because a number of businesses fell into an unidentified gray area.

Five specific types of businesses that have no designation were listed during the meeting. Sander said many more could develop as businesses and industries change in the future.

The types of businesses listed were water slides, go-cart trails, paint-ball recreational facilities, gymnasiums and multipurpose facilities, and pet grooming businesses and kennels.

All of the businesses except gymnasiums and multipurpose facilities are currently zoned C-2, or general commercial. The gyms and multipurpose buildings are currently zoned R-3, or general residential.

"We just didn't have anyplace to put these; they're not covered anywhere in the ordinance," Sander said. "They fell in a gray area, and we needed to clarify what they were for planning and zoning."

The council also made plans to attend the first of many scheduled public hearings to develop a comprehensive city development plan. Jackson citizens with ideas for improving the city will meet with aldermen Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson Middle School.

An ordinance that would amend Section 2-102 relating to residency requirements of full-time employees was tabled until the April 21 council meeting. The ordinance would allow city employees to live outside the city limits as long as they live within the Jackson R-2 School District. It would include wording that prevents employees for using bad weather, poor road conditions or other problems as reasons for tardiness to work.

Sander said the ordinance would not include elected officials, appointed board members or city administrators.

"This is something that has come up in the last 30 days," he said. "Minor changes were made four years ago allowing them to live a little outside the city limits. This won't affect service because people will still be on call and on duty if needed.

"It's good for them because it gives them a little more room to live in. But if we're going to do this, we certainly don't want bad weather, car trouble or other things to be an excuse for not making it to work."