JACKSON SPECIAL USE PERMIT ISSUE OPPOSED

JACKSON -- Legislation that would enable the city of Jackson to issue two-year, special use permits for modular buildings for temporary office space met with opposition during a public hearing Monday.

The issue came up earlier this year when a local businessman asked for permission to place a modular unit on his property for office space, currently not allowed in the city code.

No one spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance, but Rich Bowen of the engineering firm of Bowen and Lawson of Jackson, said the legislation isn't needed, and would not be in the best interests of the city.

Bowen also is acting Jackson city engineer, but he said his remarks during the hearing were as a private citizen of Jackson.

"I could see a use for it if existing (office) facilities were somehow demolished, or the owner wanted to rehabilitate his office building and needed to move into a temporary facility while the work was going on," Bowen said.

"But I think what might happen here is that you start permitting modular units or mobile homes, particularly along Jackson Boulevard, even on a two-year, special use permit, and the next thing you know, he'll come in and ask for another two-year extension and that will become four, then eight, and ten years, and so on.

"I don't think it is anything that is going to contribute to the business and professional look of our city."

Acting Mayor David Ludwig, who was sitting in for Mayor Carlton Meyer at Monday's Board of Aldermen meeting, noted the proposed legislation does not offer any incentive for those using modular units as an office to upgrade from a temporary to permanent facility.

"You could, theoretically wind up with a whole bunch of those things on East Jackson," Ludwig said.

Bowen called the use of mobile homes or modular units in a business area a "shotgun approach to the issue." The aldermen took no action on the proposed legislation.

In other business, the board approved a plan by the Jackson Park Board to construct a gravel parking lot at the lower end of Brookside Park. The lot would provide parking space for the new Boy's League baseball diamonds under construction in the park.

The board approved a motion for the city to pave a 24-foot-wide street without curbs and gutters into the parking lot from Sunset Hills subdivision. In turn, the park board will pay approximately $2,000 for the gravel to cover the lot that will park about 100 cars.

The board also set Monday, Dec. 14, as the date for the annual city employee Christmas party at the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall.

The aldermen also: Adopted an ordinance to accept paving contracts on White Oak and East Main Streets; a contract from Pittsburg Tank and Tower Co. of Henderson, Ky., to paint the elevated water tower; and city depository agreements with the local banks.