Cellphone tower, zoning change up for final approval

The Cape Girardeau City Council will give final consideration to two issues today that have drawn plenty of response from the community.

On the council's consent agenda for a vote during the 7 p.m. regular session are approval of a special-use permit to allow AT&T to build a 140-foot cellphone tower at 418 William St., and an ordinance to change zoning for a tract of land planned to be developed into a business park on the northwest side of Cape Girardeau.

Several people who live in downtown Cape Girardeau or have an interest in historic preservation have encouraged the city council not to allow the permit for the cellphone tower because they have concerns there could be damage to the view of the city's historic districts along with potentially reduced property values. Opponents have expressed views through a special meeting with city staff and AT&T representatives, along with attending recent council meetings to speak before the council and the public.

Proponents of building the tower say its placement on William Street is the only location that will significantly improve cellphone service coverage for the downtown area. Opponents have questioned whether alternative technology could be used to provide better coverage, while AT&T representatives say other types would not provide the return on investment acceptable for the company.

The council supported granting the permit through a 5-1 vote at the Aug. 5 meeting because they said the need for improved cellphone service downtown that will aid businesses and access to emergency services is greatly needed. Councilwoman Loretta Schneider voted against the permit request, and Councilman John Voss was absent from the meeting.

Between 30 and 40 people who live near the area proposed to be rezoned for the development of a business park also turned out for the last meeting to voice concerns about the potential for heavy industry to be built near a residential neighborhood.

Today will be the final vote to change the zoning of land to the west of Interstate 55 near Exit 102 that the city bought from the Southeast Missouri University Foundation last year to develop into a business park. The change will be from C-1, or general commercial, to M-1, or light manufacturing/industrial. People who live in the Whispering Oaks and Meadows of Whispering Oaks subdivisions near County Road 618 remain worried about future uses of the business park properties.

City officials have said the development of the business park will depend on what kind of business are interested in the park, and Mayor Harry Rediger also said at the last city council meeting that the business park would "never be a smokestack type of development."

So far, the city has no development agreements in place for the southern part of the property, which is closest to the residential area, while there have been inquiries about small sites for retail development in the northern section of the property. There also are plans in the development stage for infrastructure to be installed on the north side, which is near La Salle Avenue.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

418 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

County Road 618, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

LaSalle Avenue and Interstate 55, Cape Girardeau, Mo.