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Council approves 180-day moratorium in Ward 5 on certain new/expanded unhoused-service uses
Summary
The Jackson City Council put a 180-day pause on applications for new or expanded covered unhousing uses in Ward 5 to allow planning staff to study service distribution and prevent one ward from bearing disproportionate burden. Council approved amendments and passed the item (recorded tally 6-0-1).
The Jackson City Council voted on Feb. 10 to impose a temporary 180-day moratorium in Ward 5 on the submission and acceptance of applications for new and expanded covered unhousing uses, including certain boarding-home formats and charitable food distribution operations.
City Attorney Drew Martin explained the ordinance is intended to align local definitions with existing zoning terms and to give the new planning section time to study how unhoused services are distributed so that no single ward carries a disproportionate share of the facilities. Councilman Hartley said the measure was prompted by petitions from Ward 5 neighborhoods asking for a pause while the administration organizes services and develops a plan.
The council discussed amendments that staff proposed to clarify definitions and to ensure the ordinance is narrowly tailored; the amendments were accepted. Council members emphasized the moratorium is not intended to ban services permanently but to allow the city to plan equitably.
The item passed after the amendment vote (recorded as 6-0-1) and the final vote on the ordinance (recorded as 6-0-1). The council requested that planning staff report back with findings and recommended changes to the zoning code and that the administration coordinate citywide services planning.
Implementation steps: planning department will evaluate service locations across wards, and the administration will report on redistribution options and any proposed ordinances to follow.
Attribution: summaries and quotes are taken from council debate and comments by City Attorney Drew Martin and Councilman Hartley during the Feb. 10 meeting.
