Jefferson City Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Chris Yarnell had a bounce in his step and a smile on his face Thursday afternoon as he pushed through the double doors at City Hall and into the unseasonably bright November sunshine.
He had just guided the 22-year-old debate over once-contentious East Capitol Avenue rehabilitation through a 75-minute public hearing, probably its final obstacle, without so much as a stub of the toe.
Thirty feral cats, 17 raccoons and a neighborhood mission statement notwithstanding, Yarnell's commission voted unanimously to endorse a formal proposal from the city's Department of Planning and Protective Services, officially known as Case No. P16021, the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan.
"It felt like everyone was ready to move on, to quit talking about this and get the ball rolling," Yarnell, an experienced professional engineer and veteran public official, said.
The Planning and Zoning chairman was clearly happy his commission OK'd the plan the Jefferson City Housing Authority had reviewed Tuesday. The authority will have another look at the plan during a public meeting at 3:30 p.m. this coming Tuesday at its offices at 1040 Myrtle St. Barring the unexpected, the urban renewal plan will then be placed on a near-term City Council agenda with a do-pass recommendation.
About those cats and raccoons: Gary and Linda Buettner, of 606 State St., told the commission they had witnessed two men feeding at least 30 feral cats twice a day, and the cat food then drew raccoons. As many as 17 raccoons had been photographed together at one time, the Buettners told the commission. The animals were living in at least one of the historic and dilapidated homes in the urban renewal district, they said, jeopardizing any chance at restoration.
Planning Department Director Janice McMillan acknowledged receipt of the complaints from the Buettners and others about the wild critters. She said the city's Animal Control Department had already taken action, employing its "trap, neuter and release" program. That, she explained, is how the city deals with wild animals, including cats.
The Buettners were joined by Jenny Smith, of 1211 Elmerine Ave.; Cathy and Dave Bordner, of 718 E. Capitol Ave.; and Jane Beetem, who identified herself as a local rehabber, in addressing the commissioners. None of them indicated they opposed the urban renewal project and the specific plan being considered by the commission. Indeed, no one present spoke against the urban renewal proposal.
When Yarnell called for testimony from those in support of the urban renewal bid, McMillan read a positive letter from Mayor Carrie Tergin. No one present actually spoke in favor of the plan.
The residents did have specific matters of concern from daily observation of the neighborhood - like the Buettners watching the cats and raccoons being fed as they walked their dog three times a day. Cathy Bordner urged the commissioners to include a mission statement authored for an earlier discussion of East Capitol Avenue renewal. Smith and Beetem shared passionate encouraged city officials to proceed cautiously, as well as those who ultimately will engage in the rehabilitation, renewal and revival of the area and its more than 70 historic structures. Many of the buildings are unique, represent architectural treasures and are irreplaceable as tangible connections to Jefferson City's past, they said.
All of the comments were embraced by members of the commission, as well as McMillan and senior planner Eric Barron, who delivered a detailed review of the urban renewal plan for the hearing.
Additionally, Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch and John S. (Jack) Pletz, general counsel, represented the Housing Authority and its affiliated Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority board of commissioners.
McMillan explained state law "provides that prior to recommending an urban renewal plan to the City Council, the Land Clearance Authority must submit the plan to the planning agency for review and recommendations as to its conformity with the general plan for the development of the community as whole. The planning agency shall submit its written recommendations with respect to the proposed plan to the Land Clearance Authority within 30 days of receipt of the plan for review. If upon receipt of the recommendations or if no recommendations are received within 30 days, the Land Clearance Authority may recommend the urban renewal plan to the City Council for approval."
The Planning and Zoning Commission's action Thursday, followed by the approval advanced by the Housing Authority Tuesday, reflect the unified commitment to immediacy by government in launching the urban renewal in the 38-acre tract, Yarnell said.
The motions Yarnell's panel approved Thursday added two parcels that had been inadvertently overlooked in earlier planning and affirmed "the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Plan does conform with the city's general plan."