JACKSON, Mo. -- In the latest salvo in a dispute that extends back over 18 months, the Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday night rejected a new application by businessman Jack Priest to rezone as commercial the property his truck refrigeration business occupies along East Main Street.

Priest's original application for the rezoning was denied in 2000. He resubmitted an application last week. The city has the right to refuse to review a rezoning application resubmitted within two years of the original.

The city and Priest have filed five lawsuits against each other over Priest's contention he should be allowed to operate his business on East Main Street as he did before his land was annexed and before the East Main Street extension was built. He claims his business use was grandfathered in when the city annexed his land. The city has been trying to force Priest to clean up the refrigeration units, which are visible from the street.

Mayor Paul Sander said the city recently made Priest an offer that would have settled the litigation. The city offer would have allowed Priest to operate the business on a limited basis while requiring him to clean up the property. The settlement also would have given the city sewer easements through Priest's property, Sander said.

Sander said Priest returned to the city with an offer to settle if his property were rezoned. The city does not want to make an agreement with anyone that is contingent on rezoning, Sander said.

"We will move forward to remove this nuisance in its entirety," Sander said.

Priest declined comment Monday night, citing upcoming litigation.

Tax rates set

In other business, the board set 2001 tax rates. The rate for general revenue, parks and recreation and band taxes was set at 86 cents per $100 assessed valuation, a 2.87-cent reduction from the 2000 rate. The library tax rate was set at 12.7 cents per $100 assessed valuation, the maximum allowed by the state. Sander said setting the highest tax rate for the library is necessary so it can qualify for state grants and programs.

Overall, the city tax rate is 98.7 cents per $100 assessed valuation for residents who live within the Jackson Public Library District. For those residents who live outside the district, the city tax rate is 86 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN ACTIONS

7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20

City Hall

Public Hearings

• Held hearing to consider the rezoning of 4.94 acres of property situated between Lenco Avenue and Dogwood Avenue from R-1, single-family residential district to I-2, heavy industrial district as submitted by Audry Eldridge.
• Held hearing to consider the proposed general revenue, parks and recreation, cemetery and band tax rates for 2001 as proposed to be set by the mayor and Board of Aldermen.
• Held hearing to consider the proposed library tax rate for 2001 as proposed to be set by the mayor and Board of Aldermen.

Action Items

Power and Light Committee

• Approved the voluntary annexation of 4.94 acres of property as requested by Kenneth and Elwanda Seabaugh.
• Changed the regular council meeting date from Monday, Sept. 3 to Tuesday, Sept. 4, due to the Labor Day holiday.
• Established the 2001 tax rates.
• Accepted the bid of Pyramid Roofing Co. of Sikeston, Mo., in the amount of $34,930 relative to the City Hall Roof Repair Project.
• Authorized a contractual agreement with Pyramid Roofing Co. relative to repairs under the City Hall Roof Repair Project.
• Accepted the bid of the L.E. Myers Co. of Decatur, Ill., in the amount of $163,146.17 relative to the Circuit 7 Conversion Project.
• Authorized a contractual agreement with the L.E. Myers Co. relative to upgrades under the Circuit Conversion Project.

Street Committee

• Approved the rezoning of 4.904 acres of property situated between Lenco Avenue and Dogwood Avenue from R-1 to I-2 as submitted by Audrey Eldridge.
• Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 to consider proposed revision to the Storm Water Control Ordinance.
• Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 to consider a special-use permit application for the establishment and operation of a photography studio as a home occupation in an R-2, single-family residential district at the property addressed as 1402 S. Hope St. as submitted by Brad Davis.
• Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 to consider a special-use permit application for the establishment and operation of a community unit plan in an R-3, general residential district for 15.5 acres of property situated in Klaus Park Village Subdivision as submitted by Alan Autmann representing Jim Green Management Corp.
• Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Sept.. 17 to consider a special-use permit application for the establishment and operation of a 56-foot passive repeater tower in an R-3 district at 614 E. Adams St. as submitted by Rob Goyette, representing the Jackson R-2 School District.
• Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 to consider a special-use permit application for the establishment and operation of a 100-foot passive repeater tower in an R-3 district at 1701 S. Hope St. as submitted by Rob Goyette, representing the Jackson R-2 School District.