Council approves first reading to rezone 191 Van Drive after weeks of public comment

Jackson City Council passed on first reading an ordinance to rezone property at 191 Van Drive from RG‑1 (General Residential) to SC‑1 (Planned Unit Commercial Development), a request described in council packet as comprising 5.03 acres more or less. The first reading carried 5–3 after public comment both for and against the rezoning.

Supporters, including developer representatives and a local real estate broker, told the council commercial zoning would put the parcel in line with its Van Drive frontage and produce city revenue. "Development like this is the healthy way to increase revenue for the city," public commenter Trey Click said during the public comment period. Developers said they are willing to work with neighbors on drainage and buffering and that a site plan is not final and will be subject to later review and required studies.

Opponents from the Country Club Lane neighborhood, several residents and the Jackson Country Club urged delay and more written protections. Resident Libby McNary said she feared traffic, noise and flooding, and said most homeowners on Country Club Lane have experienced flooding in their yards and homes. Several speakers asked for deed restrictions, a buffer wall and formal, signed agreements with the developer before rezoning.

Planning staff told the council that the June Planning Commission failed to reach an affirmative vote; under the commission's bylaws a motion that is not affirmative becomes a denial, and staff transmitted a recommendation of denial to the council. Staff also reminded council members that traffic and stormwater studies are part of the development‑review process after rezoning. "That traffic study will look at the impact of that development and look at the uses that will be associated with that development," planning staff member Sam said.

Council members debated whether tabling the ordinance would change the post‑rezoning development assurances neighbors want. Councilmember Holt argued that passing first reading begins the 30‑day interval before second reading and would not prevent parties from finalizing agreements. "I think that we've tabled it once and for some reason it seems like council gets a little antsy from public pressure," Holt said, urging the council to move the item forward. Councilmember Stovall, among others, said the council should trust planning and engineering reviews to ensure studies and mitigation occur if the rezone is approved.

The council vote on first reading was 5 in favor, 3 opposed. The item will return for a required second reading at least 30 days later; a development plan and technical studies would be submitted and reviewed only after rezoning is approved.