Jackson council adopts package of annexations and zoning changes, consolidates residential districts

Jackson City Council adopted a slate of zoning and land-use amendments Dec. 2 that included two requested annexations, a rezoning for a subdivision, changes to parking and sign rules, consolidation of single-family residential districts, and elimination of an obsolete planned unit residential development section.

Staff presented the annexation for a 1.3-acre tract known as 'Cadre' at Highway 45 North and Ashport Road with proposed B-5 Highway Business District zoning and a 5.45-acre 'McCormick' parcel at the northwest corner of Airways Boulevard and Fiberglass Road proposed for SC-1 planned unit commercial development; planning commission recommended approval of both annexations and council approved each by voice vote 6–0.

On broader zoning changes, staff described a multi-month revision, recommended by the housing commission and planning commission, that reduces the number of residential districts and clarifies labels for single-family, duplex and multifamily districts to streamline permitting and respond to housing demand. "We had three single family districts... now we are combined into R1," said Unidentified Speaker 8. Council members asked whether existing properties would be grandfathered; staff said existing legally approved signs and uses would be nonconforming and that nonconformity would persist through a seven-year amortization period for signs.

Other technical amendments included removing the SC-1 parking standard (eliminating the 5-per-1,000 rule) and moving sign regulations from the building code into the zoning ordinance to reflect departmental reorganization. Staff said the changes were largely housekeeping and intended to simplify the ordinance; each zoning item passed on recorded votes (most recorded as 6–0). The council indicated the planning commission will return to present additional housing recommendations in January.