Jackson board hears petition for residency exemption; discussion ends without recorded vote

The Village of Jackson board on the evening of the recorded meeting heard presentations and public comment on a petition from Jermaine Carson seeking an exemption to the village's offender-residency ordinance, which establishes a 1,500-foot setback from schools, parks, day-care facilities and other child-centered locations.

Village attorney Matt Parmanchier reviewed the ordinance and the board's worksheet procedure for exemptions, telling the board members they would evaluate criteria including the nature and date of the offense, treatment history, remorse, time since incarceration and proposed safety assurances. He said the application packet included the landlord's letter, the application, and investigative materials from the police department.

A police department representative summarized the department's position to the board and recommended denying the petition. The representative said Carson was convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child, that the victim was under 12 at the time, and that the…