Those offering comment at Tuesday evening's public hearing at Jackson City Hall were largely opposed to a plan by the city to accept voluntary annexation of a triangle of highway right of way between Jackson and Fruitland.

The right of way, currently owned by the Missouri Department of Transportation, includes U.S. 61 north of Route Y, extending to the Interstate 55 interchange and then going south on I-55 to the current city limit north of the Bent Creek subdivision.

About 40 people filled the room for the hearing, which was held during the regular board of aldermen meeting. Of the 12 people who rose to offer comment, 10 were opposed to the plan for various reasons.

Developer Paul Horn of Cape Girardeau called the move to annex the land "confiscation of private property." Several of those against the annexation said they were concerned about city codes and regulations being forced on developers and property owners. No private property is included in the annexation.

City administrator Larry Koenig addressed those concerns, saying the city wouldn't control building codes merely because the land is adjacent to the annexed right of way. Koenig agreed to Horn's request to put that policy in writing.

Some property owners fear annexing the right of way will eventually lead to unwanted annexation of property within the area.

"There isn't a master plan to annex the land," Koenig told the group. Mayor Barbara Lohr repeated that any annexations within the boundaries would be voluntary.

Others oppose the annexation based on response times of emergency services to the area.

Billy Castile, a Fruitland developer who is also a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, feared that the time taken to send help from Jackson's fire station might cost lives in an emergency.

Jackson fire chief Jason Mouser said his team would not be reluctant to call on Fruitland responders if the situation necessitated it.

Some opposed the annexation for fear of property tax increases. Kay Robins, who lives within the triangle proposed to be annexed, spoke up in favor of the plan, saying that while her real estate tax bill would go up about 15 percent, her homeowners insurance premium would drop.

"I see good things happening," Robins said.