Following opposition during a public hearing Oct. 17, a request to set up a towing company at 1383 S. Hope Street was put on hold.
Pat Morgan has requested a special use permit to operate a towing business at that location, which is in a C-2 (general commercial) district. A special use permit is required because towing is not specifically mentioned in the city zoning ordinance as being allowed in a C-2 district. Other businesses could locate there without a special use permit.
Four people spoke in opposition to the business during a public hearing held by the Jackson Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
They expressed concern about noise, traffic, the possibility of junk cars being visible and the negative impact the business might have on their property values. They also thought the nearly three acres (about half of which is inside city limits) is not big enough to support the business.
Morgan tried to allay fears by discussing his plans to lower a hill so stored cars would not be as visible. He discussed plans to install a culvert, landscaping and a privacy fence.
When the matter came up for a vote later in the meeting, it was tabled to study session, a standard procedure when opposition is expressed during a public hearing.
During study session, the matter was further discussed among the aldermen. Alderman David Hitt was concerned that some of the conditions set forth in the special use permit were not enforceable. For example, no car is to stay on the property longer than 45 days. He asked how the City would know if that was violated. He was not in favor of a towing business at that location.
Alderman Paul Sander said the idea that a commercial business could not locate in a commercial zone troubled him.
Alderman Joe Bob Baker, who once owned B&B Salvage, said he never received complaints about cars stored on the back part of his property.
The matter is expected to be taken “off the table” and voted upon at the Nov. 7 meeting.
In other action
• Rezoning on Timber Lane: There was no opposition during a public hearing to consider the rezoning of 385, 389 and 391 Timber Lane from R-1 (single-family residential) district to R-4 (general residential) district, as submitted by JWRPM Properties, LLC. The rezoning is being requested to use a home as a triplex.
• Water system: Change Order No. 1 to Fronabarger Concreters, Inc., of Oak Ridge was approved. This was for work on the Water System Facility Plan Implementation Project – Phase 2, Project 2C. This change order extended the contract time because of product delivery delays. The project was scheduled to start on March 15, but the availability of 8- inch Certalok PVC pipe delayed the start of the project to April 20.
• Fire station renovation: The aldermen authorized a $100,000 task order to Strickland Engineering for engineering and architectural work on the renovation of Fire Station No. 1.
• Land purchase: The aldermen accepted a general warranty deed and a scriven-er’s error affidavit for the purchase of property from Nabors Land Developers LLC.
• Asphalt paving: A $1,917.50 change order to Paving Pros, LLC, of Oak Ridge, was approved. This change order covers work toreplace asphalt that was removed due to a water main break in Gerald Street.
• Park donation: The aldermen accepted a Park Memorial & Donation Form from Josh Lukefahr for the donation of basketball equipment and court improvements at City Park. The donation consists of $5,500 for new backboards and rims and $2,740 for resurfacing and striping.
• Sanitary sewer: The aldermen accepted the bid for $134,558.75 from SAK Construction, LLC, of O’Fallon and authorized a contract for the 2022 sanitary sewer lining program.
• Holiday Extravaganza: the aldermen accepted the bid from Lite Designs & Guttering, LLC, of Benton to install, remove and store Christmas lights which are displayed in Jackson City Park for the Holiday Extravaganza Lighting Program. The bid was for $10,744.80 this year, $11,013.42 in 2023, and $11,288.76 in 2024. A contract was authorized.
• UJRO: During study session, Janna Clifton, executive director of the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization, presented an annual report. City staff is working to renew its contract with the UJRO and will present it to the aldermen for approval by the end of the year.
• Wreaths Across America: Pam Johnson discussed the special event permit application from the John Guild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. They are planning their second Wreaths Across America event for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, on South High Street at the entrance to City Cemetery. Wreaths will be placed at the tombs of veterans. They received an award for last year’s event.
• Park Board: In a report from the Oct. 10 Park Board meeting, the aldermen learn-ed that more site work will be needed to make the Union Street restroom ramp ADA compliant; ARPA funds may be used to create a splash pad at the municipal pool; the rental rates for the Civic Center have been reviewed (with recommended increases); and Lights of the Season registration is now open.
• Savers Farm Subdivision: A revised preliminary plat of Savers Farm Subdivision, Phase 8, which reflects the conditions of the recently approved Memorandum of Understanding, was presented in study session.
• Historic Preservation Fund Grant Program: Missouri Main Street Connection asked the City of Jackson if it would be interested in applying for a grant. Formal action will be taken later.
• City archives: The City of Jackson has begun discussions with a company to scan really old documents for the city that are either too big or too brittle to run through the city’s scanner. It is the same company that is scanning old documents for Cape County.
• Engineering: City staff recommended that the City enter into a master services agreement with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing of Cape Girardeau. BFW will provide professional services in regards to projects relating to transportation, stormwater, inspections, materials testing, surveying and geotechnical.
The matter will come to the aldermen for approval Nov. 7.
• Sewer: The aldermen discussed whether to create a sewer district or have a cost-share program off of South Old Orchard Road. The matter will be discussed more in a future meeting.
