JACKSON SETS DATE FOR GARAGE HEARING

JACKSON -- Nearly a year ago the Jackson R-2 School District asked the city for a special-use permit to build a school-bus and maintenance garage near the site of its new Orchard Lane Elementary School. But the request was withdrawn in April because of opposition from neighbors.

Now, the district is back again, asking for a special-use permit to build the facility in the same place. This time, however, there seems to be little or no opposition, said one alderman who predicted approval.

The Planning and Zoning Commission met earlier this month to consider the request and recommended approval.

Monday night the Jackson Board of Aldermen set March 4 for a public hearing by the board on the school district's request for the permit.

School Superintendent Wayne Maupin said the district needs a facility to house its school buses. The facility would also include a fueling dock, maintenance building and parking lot for bus drivers. The entire area would be surrounded by a chain-link fence for security.

"We desperately need new housing for our school buses," said Maupin. "We are in dire need to relocate."

The district is parking its school buses in an unsecured area west of the high-school football field.

Maupin said the facility would be constructed on land owned by the district immediately east of the Orchard Lane Elementary School parking lot.

He said the storage area is fairly isolated by tress to the east, and the school building on the west. Buses would leave and enter from Orchard Lane.

"I don't see any problems getting it approved," said Mayor Carlton Meyer. An alderman agreed, predicting the issue would be approved this time.

In other business the city engineer reported the contractor on the East Jackson Boulevard water-main project has informed him that he should have his contractor's performance bond before the end of the week. The board awarded the project to Mark Skinner, requiring that Skinner obtain a performance bond. Work can begin as soon as the city receives the bond.

The engineer also said letters are being mailed to property owners who will supply easements to the city for the East Jackson Boulevard sewer construction project.

Steel for the bridge on the Jackson Trails street extension has been set, but other work has been suspended until March because of weather.

The board approved an ordinance to enter into a contract with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department for the replacement of the Goose Creek bridge on Old Cape Road at an estimated cost of $200,000. It will be funded 70 percent by the state and 30 percent by the city. The project will not start until next year.

Also approved was an ordinance to give the city authority to regulate pawn shops. City Attorney David Beeson said a new state law enables cities to authorize police to check pawn shops for stolen merchandise. Jackson has no pawn shops but the ordinance will apply to any that may open.

The board was also reminded of the upcoming annexation election Feb. 5. "It is the culmination of three years worth of work," said Beeson. "Without (annexation) we cannot grow like we have during the past 10 years," he said.