Jackson Planning and Zoning Commission tables new requests by quarry

The Jackson Planning and Zoning Commission delayed action in rezoning and special permit requests by Heartland Materials quarry and landowners in its monthly meeting Wednesday, pending further study.

The quarry, along with Joe Hoffmeister, Hoffmeister Farms and Hoffmeister Real Estate made simultaneous applications to the city Oct. 5 on three actions: to voluntary annex about 242 acres of property bounded by Interstate 55, U.S. 61 and County Road 601 to the city, to rezone that parcel from family residential to heavy industrial and to grant a special-use permit to have a rock quarry on the site.

A rock quarry is already operating at the site, having earlier this year received permits from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Commission member Leeann Milde-Otten questioned the relationship of the applications to the larger Fruitland annexation that is under consideration by the city. Fruitland has applied to Jackson under a state law that requires the request be made and denied before Fruitland can incorporate. Jackson has until Dec. 13 to accept the annexation request.

Rodney Bollinger, director of public works, said the requests were independent of that issue.

Milde-Otten expressed concern regarding the lack of land use studies of the area and the need to supplement the city's comprehensive plan to include the area. Commission member Denis Wydra added that past comprehensive plans specifically contained regulations against future quarries.

Bollinger said that the land was eligible for voluntary annexation due to owners making a unanimous request and a lot of the parcel borders the city limits. He made the recommendation that a public hearing be waived and said that there is no legal requirement to notify county residents of the potential action, as the surrounding land is owned by the Missouri Department of Transportation and there are no residents within 185 feet.

Representatives from the quarry, Danny Dumey and Steve Obermann, said the quarry had made a significant investment in the area and were hopeful that annexation could settle ongoing uncertainty stemming from potential Fruitland incorporation or annexation.

"We feel we have a lot to offer and we feel Jackson has a lot to offer us," Dumey said.

Tim Sutterer spoke on behalf of an ad hoc group of Fruitland residents seeking to incorporate Fruitland and settle the annexation issue with the city. He asked that the commission not approve the requests and said that he felt it was important for Fruitland residents to be aware that developers were working with the city concerning areas adjacent to them.

"I am interested in protecting my property value and way of life," Sutterer said.

While the zoning and permit applications have been tabled, the application for annexation will be heard at the board of aldermen meeting Monday.

Another company that received state approval for a quarry in the area, Strack Excavating, was not involved in the requests before the planning and zoning commission.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO