Cape Council turns down plan for duplexes; unnamed downtown project promises jobs

The Cape Girardeau City Council voted unanimously Monday to deny a request from a resident asking that a property at 402 Chesley Drive be rezoned to allow the construction of multiple duplexes.

Michael Annis first approached the city in July when he attended a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, stating he'd like to build on the site because it has been vacated since 2008.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny Annis' request after hearing opposition from 15 residents in the area wishing to keep the neighborhood a single-family residential area.

The council heard the same opposition at Monday's meeting at city hall.

Robyn McCulley told the council she moved to the neighborhood with her family 10 months ago based on its proximity to area hospitals and retail shops.

"We chose Cape specifically for this neighborhood," she said.

McCulley added that while Annis claimed the duplexes would be specifically for the senior population, the neighborhood was worried it would become rental property and allow a younger generation to move into the area.

"We are across the street from the property," said Ken Ostendorf. "It's a single-family zone, we'd like to keep it that way."

Mayor Harry Rediger said he sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission for 21 years and has made decisions on many similar zoning issues. While the property does need to be developed, Rediger said Annis' proposal is not the solution.

"The neighborhood has not had a lot of turnover and they have respected their neighbors," he said. "I have to side with the homeowners."

In other business:

After hearing no comments from Cape Girardeau residents at a public hearing held at the beginning of the meeting, the council approved authorizing Rediger to seek funding through a Community Development Block Grant program. With no financial obligations for the city, Rediger will submit an application to the CDBG for a $750,000 action fund loan to assist a company in investing in a downtown Cape Girardeau property.

Mitch Robinson, executive director of Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, told the council the business can't be disclosed yet, but the company would create numerous jobs downtown.

"It'll be a large number of jobs for a downtown project," Robinson said. "Hopefully within 45 days we'll be able to talk about this project in detail."

The development is not connected to the idea of a casino being considered downtown, according to a city agenda report.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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