Robert Jacobs
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
I write in response to the actions taken by the City Council to offer a city park to be used as a cemetery. Although I am not opposed to action, I do not feel the city has taken into consideration its own zoning code when making this decision. The council has the ability to take action to give the property to the developers of the cemetery but in the end, when the property goes to be developed, it would be contrary to the City of Jefferson’s zoning code and future land use map outlined in the city’s most recent update of their Comprehensive Plan “Activate Jefferson City.”
The Zoning Code does not allow for a cemetery less than 20 acres and what it does allow requires a special exception permit. To obtain such a permit, a public hearing would be required, and the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council must take into consideration the zoning code and the Future Land Use Map in making that decision. It goes against the code, the zoning and the comprehensive plan. They are taking actions today that would put them in a bind in the future.