BOARD OF APPEALS WILL CONSIDER VARIANCES

The Cape Girardeau Board of Appeals tonight will consider two requests for variances and will discuss the minimum property maintenance code.

Thomas C. Holshouser, the architect for a renovation of the Municipal Airport terminal building is asking for a variance in the building code's smoke control for covered malls section.

In a letter to the board, Holshouser said: "I feel the intent of the requirement to have smoke control is to provide the opportunity for people in the mall, to exit the building in a smoke-free environment.

"Because of the short travel distance to all exits in this building, a person could hold their breath and walk to safety without any problem."

Also, the smallest mall volume referred to by the code is 600,000 cubic feet, while the lobby of the terminal building is only 38,000 cubic feet. The smallest leasable tenant space referred to in the code is 150,000 square feet, while the tenant space at the terminal is less than 8,000 square feet.

The other variance was requested by Sarah W. Hale for Ser's Beauty College, 817 Broadway. Hale is asking for a variance of the code that requires bathrooms to be naturally or mechanically ventilated.

In her merchant's license application, Hale said she would have to install an exhaust system through a concrete ceiling, and would rather install fans or an "alternate system."

Hale's request was tabled at the board's Aug. 8 meeting, while the board members and city staff further researched exhaust systems in older buildings.

The minimum property maintenance standards were first proposed in 1989. City Planner Kent Bratton has asked the Board of Appeals to use the 1989 proposal as a guide for developing new minimum property maintenance standards.

In a memorandum to board members, Bratton said the standards in the 1989 proposal aren't the same as those used in the city's Community Development Block Grant property renovations. He said the differences in the standards have caused some confusion.

The board meets tonight at City Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.