CITY COUNCIL REJECTS PAWN SHOP REQUEST

The Cape Girardeau City Council won't let a pawn shop operate in an old, residential neighborhood whose residents voiced alarm over the idea.

The council Monday night unanimously rejected a request by Money-Time Check Cashers Inc. for a special-use permit to turn a building at 155 S. Park into a pawn shop and establish parking on property across a city alley at 148 S. West End Boulevard. The pawn shop itself would be on the northwest corner of Park and William.

About 20 residents of the neighborhood had signed a petition opposing the idea and the Planning and Zoning Commission earlier had recommended the council deny the special-use request.

Council members expressed concern that the proposed business would have only nine parking spaces when 15 spaces would be required under city regulations.

Chester Blaylock, 108 S. West End Boulevard, said he and other neighbors don't want a pawn shop in their neighborhood. Marion Coburn of 140 S. Park said there isn't sufficient parking.

Traffic concerns were also mentioned. Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr. said the nearby William and West End intersection is one of the busiest in the city.

Dan Wilson is general manager of Money-Time, which operates a pawn shop at Broadway and Middle. Wilson told the council that the pawn shop sells handguns and rifles, as well as other merchandise. He said the pawn shop has sold 89 guns so far this year. People have tried to pawn stolen merchandise at his business, he said.