Jackson council picks hearing officer for 80 E. Kelly setback appeal

The Jackson Town Council voted March 2 to appoint local attorney Alexandra Nash as hearing officer for appeal case P26-015 involving 80 E. Kelly Ave., a procedural step that sets up the town’s quasi-judicial review process. The council’s role ends after naming a presiding officer; the appeal itself will be heard by the Board of Adjustment under town hearing rules. (See: Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda Packet.)

According to the staff report, the appeal stems from a Dec. 29, 2025 Planning Director decision approving an administrative adjustment that reduced a required rear setback from 5 feet to 2 feet for a structure on the town’s Historic Register. The applicant filed the appeal on Jan. 28, triggering a 45-day deadline for council to appoint a presiding officer under LDR 8.8.4.G. (See: Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda Packet.)

Staff recommended an outside hearing officer — rather than the Board of Adjustment chair — citing the technical nature of hearing procedures and the benefit of keeping the BOA chair focused on the substance of the case as a voting member. The council also set Nash’s compensation at $200 per hour; staff estimated the town’s hearing-officer cost at about $5,000. (See: Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda Packet.)