West Lane discussion premature, mayor says

JACKSON, Mo. -- Seven people turned out at Tuesday night's Jackson Board of Aldermen meeting to show their opposition to a preliminary proposal that would extend West Lane to Route D, a move they fear would create more traffic problems for the schools on West Lane. But no one spoke after Mayor Paul Sander opened the period for non-agenda citizen input saying, "The proper time for public input is when we have something to talk about."

Sander told the opponents any decision about West Lane will be based on the traffic study the city has decided to commission. Completion of the study could be as much as a year away.

"If there is something we don't already know, you're welcome to speak," he said. No one did.

In other business Tuesday night, the board approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to seek Community Development Block Grant funding through the Missouri Department of Economic Development for low-income senior housing. The project is being proposed by developer Chad Hartle, who already has built one low-income senior housing project on East Jackson Boulevard.

Hartle told the board the CDBG funding would enable him to lower rents to $300 in the two-bedroom duplexes, a $25 per month savings for renters. The city would act as the project's sponsor with the state.

Hartle said he will be able to build the project whether or not the state funding is acquired.

The board also set Oct. 1-5 as the city's Fall Cleanup/Fixup Days.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

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