OAK HILL RESIDENTS GET HEARING TONIGHT

JACKSON -- Residents of Oak Hill Road will have their lawyers with them at a public hearing tonight at Jackson City Hall.

Controversy about the street project has stretched over a year, with residents requesting the road and then objecting to the city's engineering and special tax assessment for it.

Oak Hill was improved from gravel to concrete with streets and gutters.

The grappling intensified when special assessments came in at $36.75 per foot of frontage. Property owners on Oak Hill said the initial estimates were $15 per front foot, but the city contends that price was quoted for the cost of concrete only and didn't include other expenses.

Four couples with property on the road were first to land in court over the issue. On Feb. 2, the city asked for an order of condemnation to be issued against the couples. The city wanted them to temporarily turn over a section of their land so that their driveways, damaged by road work, could be fixed.

Cletus and Sue Urhahn, Greg and Christy Withers, Bradley and Teri Bowman and John and Ruth Powers all say the driveways proposed by the city are too steep, and they oppose the work. Judge William Syler continued the case until March 5.

R. Howard Dillard, a lawyer representing the four couples, will appear on their behalf at tonight's hearing. John Oliver, another Cape Girardeau attorney, will represent other landowners, including Jackson developer John Lichtennegger.

Dillard said he wasn't sure the city officials would allow adequate communication to get the special assessment issue resolved.

"There appears to be some things in the tax bills that there shouldn't be," he said. "The construction of the road seems less than desirable. There are a myriad of issues involved in this, and from what I've heard, the city is trying to paint this as some citizens wanting a free ride."

Dillard said his clients didn't want a "free ride," they only wanted the city to address their concerns.

John Powers, an Oak Hill Road resident running for a seat on the board of aldermen, said the issue was bigger than the amount of the tax bills.

He was upset that changes in the road included building a new water line above the road at the edge of his property. Although it is concealed by dirt, Powers said, it renders part of his land unusable. He won't be able to build a driveway to access the property because it would disturb the water line.

The issue might or might not be addressed tonight. Mayor Paul Sander said he has established guidelines for the hearings and doesn't want a rehash of all the old information.

"Mr. Beeson (the city's legal counsel) and I will probably be the only ones to have some remarks on behalf of the city," he said. "We feel like now is the time that we will respond about how we have gone the extra mile to work with these people."

He also plans to present special assessments from Cape Girardeau and Perryville on similar projects to prove that Oak Hill Road residents were treated fairly.

In the end, aldermen will be left to decide if the assessments should be changed or left the same.

If residents object to the decision, they may file legal action. Powers said he would consider doing so.

Jackson Board of Aldermen

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Consider rezoning from residential to commercial a lot in Chrisemma Subdivision, requested by Lawson Burgfeld and Emogene Schnurbusch.

Consider rezoning from light industrial to general commercial and from light industrial to general residential lots in Sappington Court Subdivision, requested by D&G Investments.

Consider a voluntary annexation request by Fairfield Estates Subdivision.

A hearing relative to the Oak Hill Road Improvement Project.

Accept a petition for voluntary annexation from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department and set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. March 18.

Authorize an agreement with Southwestern Power Administration amending the transmission service contract dated June 19, 1992.

Set fees and guidelines relative to the use of community room.

Authorize agreement with Cobra Compliance Systems Inc.

Authorize the preparation of plans and specifications on the Interstate 55 water tower loop along Bainbridge Road.

Authorize the an extension of utility services to the Missouri Division of Youth Services proposed facility if built in the city of Jackson.

Set the ribbon cutting for the new City Hall for 3:30 p.m. on March 15 with an open house from 4-7 p.m.

Approve final plat of Sappington Court Subdivision.

Accept that portion of Vail Drive in Vail Subdivision as public street and also accept the water and sewer systems serving those lots in Green Meadows Third Subdivision.

Vacate an alley extending from Sanford Street to the northern boundary of 417 N. High St.

Amend stop street schedule to include Green Meadows Drive, East Main Street, Vail Drive, Oak Ridge Drive, Ridge Road, Royce Drive, Mulberry Street, Birdie Lane and Palmer Drive.

Consider motion to conduct a Citizens' Police Academy.