Cape, Jackson planning commissions create joint panel to look at how to regulate new developments

Controlling subdivision development -- an issue with potentially huge costs -- should be a priority for Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Cape Girardeau County governments, the chairwoman of Jackson's Planning and Zoning Commission said Wednesday night.

As she closed the first joint meeting in two years of zoning commissioners from the county's two largest cities, Jackson chairwoman Mary Miller proposed creating an ad hoc panel, with two commissioners from each city along with staff, to look carefully at how to regulate new developments.

The goal, she said, would be to persuade the Cape Girardeau County Commission to enact rules for subdivisions in unincorporated areas. The idea was approved without objection, and the members of the ad hoc committee will be named later.

Often, developers ask for annexation after completing projects that don't meet city standards, members of both commissions agreed. The cities then must accept or reject the development, noted Charlie Haubold, a longtime member of Cape Girardeau's commission. To make streets, sewers and storm-water controls meet current city standards, "you can talk about big bucks, huge dollars," Haubold said.

Jackson commissioner Bill Fadler agreed. "We have had contractors do that who say to us, 'You require us to do this and we will build in the county.'"

The purpose, Miller said, is to prod the county into creating subdivision development rules, not to establish zoning that would create rules for all land use issues. The county, with no planning or zoning in unincorporated areas, has no restrictions on where any particular type of development locates. Voters countywide rejected planning and zoning by a wide margin early in this decade.

Cape Girardeau wants to revive a proposal for peripheral zoning, which would allow the city to regulate development of all kinds within two miles of its borders. That idea was considered during 2008 and set aside, Cape Girardeau chairman Bill Hinckley said, but it will return in 2010. Cape Girardeau has the power of peripheral zoning, with county commission approval. Jackson does not have that power.

"As sensitive as it is, it is a topic we have to revisit," Hinckley said.

The meeting lasted about 75 minutes and included discussions of planning initiatives for both cities -- a new comprehensive plan for Jackson, the DREAM Initiative strategic plan for downtown Cape Girardeau -- as well as other issues.

Assistant Cape Girardeau city manager Ken Eftink presented a map that would draw a boundary for annexations between the two cities along the Williams Creek watershed. In the north, it would be a line northeast from the current northern limits to Route W. In the west, it would be a line from Klaus Park to Gordonville.

Eftink asked Jackson to consider a rental inspection program. Cape Girardeau is looking at implementing inspections, Eftink said. A similar program in Jackson would create less confusion for landlords and potentially prevent problems that Cape Girardeau is trying to solve, he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

Cape Girardeau, MO

Jackson, MO