Traffic study approved by Jackson board

The Jackson Board of Aldermen needed just one meeting to approve the final version of the traffic study that was 14 months in the making.

After giving a glowing recommendation at last Monday's study session, the board passed a resolution making the study a guide to the city's long-term traffic plans.

"After some discussion, we were very pleased and didn't think any changes needed to be made," said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander. "What we did is create a policy. It can be changed and amended and we're not bound by a document."

Jackson residents will see the first results of the study this spring when work begins on the area of Shawnee, Old Cape Road and East Jackson Boulevard. Sander said the bottleneck should be improved by the end of summer.

The board tabled two items Tuesday night.

The first item was an ordinance considering the rezoning of eight acres of property on North High Street from R-1 and R-2 to C-2, as requested by Larry and Audrey Borgfield. The owners of Merry Lea Animal Clinic plan to purchase the property, use it for an animal hospital and an equine center and subdivide the rest of the property.

George Shields appeared and opposed the request. He said he was not opposed to the progress, but was opposed to any project that would include jack-hammering or blasting. He has had problems with such work doing damage to his property, he said.

It is usual procedure for the board to table an item when there is opposition.

The board also tabled another ordinance, this one regarding a special use permit for some senior apartments on East Main Street. There was no opposition, but the developer, Chad Hartle, applied under RCH Development, instead of Cape Senior Garden Apartments II, said Janet Sanders, the city's planning and zoning superintendent. The city will make the necessary changes and consider the request at the next meeting.

In other business, the board:

Approved a motion accepting the bid of Crown Equipment Company, of Perryville, Mo. in the amount of $12,139 for a John Deere 1445 front deck mower.

Approved an ordinance authorizing a contractual agreement with Southwestern Power Administration.

Approved an ordinance correcting a clerical error in a bill passed on Dec. 16 regarding the boundary lines of an annexation.

Set a public hearing for March 17 to consider proposed amendments to land subdivision regulations relative to attached single-family dwelling lot size and frontage requirements.

Set a public hearing for March 17 to consider the rezoning of approximately 3.45 acres along East Main Street from R-2 to C-2, as requested by Richard Doughten Jr, and John V. Priest.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635