Cape Council rezones land, clears way for development of townhouses

The Cape Girardeau City Council rezoned property Monday along Old Hopper Road, clearing the way for construction of townhouses despite concerns of neighbors.

Council members approved the rezoning more than four months after turning down the same request amid fierce opposition from area residents.

Council members voted to rezone the more than 18-acre site from R-1, single-family residential district, to R-3, high-density, single-family residential district.

City planner Ryan Shrimplin said the rezoning will allow for construction of duplexes or townhouses with up to nine units per acre, compared to four units per acre in the R-1 zone.

The rezoned area is part of a nearly 56-acre tract, located west of Old Hopper Road and south of Hopper Road. Developer Brandon Williams plans to build single-family homes on the existing R-1 zoned land.

As for the townhouses, Williams plans to construct them along a stretch of Old Hopper Road.

Mayor Bob Fox said there are many areas of the city where R-1 and R-3 tracts are adjacent to each other. Shrimplin, city planner, said the development is compatible with the existing neighborhood of single-family homes.

The city�s planning and zoning commission twice recommended approval of the rezoning request.

But the council turned down the request in July without a vote after neighbors said the proposed duplexes would lead to traffic congestion and pose a safety problem.

Williams subsequently posted a sign on the site indicating he planned to build federal Housing and Urban Development-approved rental homes.

Neighbors immediately objected to the idea, voicing complaints on social media and to city officials.

Williams subsequently took down the sign and submitted a new rezoning application, essentially returning to his original development proposal.

At Monday�s meeting, several residents near the proposed development expressed concern about its impact on traffic on Old Hopper Road. They also voiced concern about whether Williams will build a quality development.

Resident Cheryl Essner told the council, �This is a big change for our area.�

Megan Andrews, an attorney for Williams, said the development will be similar to the Villas of West Park, located off Bloomfield Road.

�It will be a very nice area,� she said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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