After tabling the matter two weeks ago, the Jackson Board of Aldermen voted Monday night to modify a residential rezoning request and scheduled a public hearing on the subject for early April.

At issue is whether 10.85 acres of undeveloped land east of Ridge Road near Interstate 55, currently zoned as R-2 for single-family homes, can be reclassified to allow multiple-family structures such as duplexes and townhouses.

At a public hearing before the Jackson aldermen Feb. 17, several nearby residents said they were concerned changing the zoning from R-2 to R-4 might reduce property values and increase traffic and crime if apartments were built on the rezoned land.

Following the public hearing, several aldermen indicated they would consider a modification of the original rezoning request that would classify the acreage as R-3 rather than R-4. Property zoned as R-3 would allow duplex and townhouse construction but would exclude apartments, which is allowed in R-4 zones.

At their meeting Monday night, the aldermen approved a motion to revise the R-4 rezoning request and to reconsider it as an R-3 request. The board set a public hearing on the revised rezoning proposal for 6 p.m. April 5.

Other actions

In addition to their votes related to the rezoning proposal in the Ridge Road area, other actions taken by the aldermen Monday night included:

• Approval of a policy and procedure to install street lighting systems in residential neighborhoods when requested by neighborhood property owners.
• Approval of a task order authorization in the amount of $15,950 payable to H.R. Green of Chesterfield, Missouri, in connection with engineering services and a review of the city's stormwater ordinance and financial status.
• Passage of a resolution allowing the city to construct a directional and informational sign near the Jackson Civic Center.
• Approval of an amendment to the city's ordinances related to the driveways permit approval process.

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