Jackson senior housing development dealt setback

The Jackson Board of Aldermen rejected a plan at its regular meeting Monday night that would have allowed five duplexes and two triplexes for senior adults in Jackson.

The board rejected developer John Lichtenegger's request for a special-use permit that would have allowed more than one residential building on one lot and allowed some of the buildings to have unusually small rear setbacks.

The buildings, which Lichtenegger said would have been worth about $2 million, would have been built near the proposed senior center.

The board voted 4 to 3 against. Joe Bob Baker, Phil Penzel and Kerry Hoffman voted in favor of the permit, while Dale Rau, Val Tuschhoff, Larry Cunningham and David Reiminger voted against the measure. Alderwoman Barbara Lohr was absent.

The setbacks, or the distance between the building and rear property lines, seemed to be the hang-up.

Jackson statutes require a 25-foot rear setback, while Lichtenegger's plan called for one setback as little as 12 feet.

Some aldermen had problem voting for the project because it would be voting against the city's own codes.

Lichtenegger, also a lawyer, argued that's the purpose of a special-use permit -- to grant exceptions in special circumstances.

Jackson's planning and zoning commission approved the matter earlier with only one "no" vote.

"If the city doesn't want the project, I won't build it," Lichtenegger said. "It was a wonderful senior project."

Rau said he voted against the measure because building and planning superintendent Janet Sanders didn't recommend it.

"I was concerned that, if we approve this, what precedent are we setting?" he said after the meeting. "I'm just not sure a special-use permit applies to this particular project."

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635