Jackson Board of Zoning Appeals Approves Gift Shop and Gun Smithery; Rejects Lounge

The Jackson Board of Zoning Appeals met on the 28th of January. 

The first to come before the board was a Mr. Woodrow Perry. He wanted to petition the board for a gift shop and a gun smithery workshop. He would also have a classroom on site to teach gun safety courses.

The property is located on 275 “D” Street and it is located near Bemis Intermediate School. No firearms are to be discharged on the property and no firearms or ammo are to be sold. The board passed this motion. 

The second item of business was the opening of a lounge on 419 North Hayes Avenue. Mr. Reed was present to speak on behalf of his application. 

Members of that area including pastors, Police Chief Gill Kendrick, and Councilman Buchannan were on hand to speak against the idea. In that neighborhood, there are 4 churches, a day care, a housing complex, and a supermarket. They all felt that it would not help to quell the crime in the area.

That area has had high crime with a total of 235 calls being made for police services in that area. The reason for these calls ranged from disturbing the peace to drugs and murder.  

The board voted against the proposal and the application was denied. There was no other business and the meeting was adjourned.