Board takes cautious look at draft plan

Six members of Cape Girar-deau's planning and zoning commission met Wednesday night to study the draft comprehensive plan.

Their biggest concern is that residents who read the document, drafted by the St. Louis-based consulting firm Arcturis, may see projects and ideas that may never happen, for one reason or another.

Charlie Haubold, the commission's chairman, suggested including some form of disclaimer if the plan is adopted.

Board member Ray Buhs agreed.

"People might go out and spend some big money and really be in trouble in the next few years," he said.

Ralph Maxton said he was "stricken" by text suggesting the planning and zoning commission, not the city council, "will really be the implementing force of this thing."

Haubold said he's already asked to have city attorney Eric Cunningham review at least 15 pages of the plan specifically related to the commission's responsibilities.

City planner Martha Brown reassured the board.

"No document is perfect," she said. "I found it has a lot of good ideas, fresh ideas, and that's exactly what we wanted."

She said the board can pick priorities and projects from the plan.

Board members also questioned how the Vision 2020 commission is supposed to be involved in the city's long-term plans. They agreed to look at Vision 2020's strategic plan as well as Arcturis plans for other cities, such as Ballwin, Mo., and Quincy, Ill.

Members of the board have to decide whether to adopt the plan, which would cost the city $85,593, by late October. A public hearing on the plan is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 10.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127