Jefferson City residents voice concerns over plans for new day care, nursing home
The Jefferson City Council approved a bill Monday that will allow plans to move forward for a new daycare and skilled nursing facility.
The council voted in favor 6 to 4 on a rezoning request and preliminary plans for the site at 1732 and 1736 Vieth Drive.
The owners of Jefferson City Manor Care, which is located right next door, now own the property. They plan to demolish two homes on the site to make way for a 12-bed extension of the facility as well as a day care for up to 99 children.
The owners hope to use the two facilities in conjunction and plan to have the children interact with seniors.
However, several people who live in the area spoke in opposition to the plans, including Fourth Ward Councilman Carlos Graham.
One of the main concerns voiced Monday was an expected increase of traffic on Vieth Drive. City staff estimated about an additional 100 cars a day will drive on Vieth Road with the development.
Residents said the road already has issues with speeding and poor sight distance around a curve.
With the extra traffic, residents also voiced concern about the safety of neighborhood children crossing the facility’s drive on their way to the nearby Cedar Hill Elementary School.
“You guys need to look real hard at the safety aspect for the young ones that don’t look both ways,” said Glen Costales, a former councilman who lives on Vieth Drive. “They’re in a hurry to get from A to B.”
“I’m putting a speed bump in our driveway, just because that was recommended last time and I don’t have a problem doing that at all,” said Cindy Juckette, one of the owners of the property.” “But those issues are there before I even start my project, so I’m not sure what anybody else has tried to do about it.”
Another concern was the potential of increased stormwater issues with the development, since some residents in the area already have issues with flooding.
However, city staff said they plan to build a stormwater detention basin on the property to collect runoff in the area.
The developers must come back to City Council with their final plans for the project.
