CITY PLANS TO OPPOSE LAND USE

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The City Council Monday directed the city staff to send a letter to the County Planning Commission opposing a proposed commercial development along Hopper Road west of the city limits.

At the County Planning Commission's Feb. 18 meeting, Mid America Hotels proposed the commercial development for property on the northwest corner of the Hopper Road-Interstate 55 overpass. The matter was referred to the Cape Girardeau City Council because the tract of land proposed for the development abuts to the city's western corporate limits.

City Planner Kent Bratton said at Monday's council meeting that if the development was within the city limits, he would oppose the request because the commercial property "isn't consistent" with residential development in the area.

Twin Lakes subdivision is situated slightly southwest of the proposed commercial tract.

"From a planning standpoint, it's certainly not a good commercial location," Bratton said. "I couldn't recommend the zoning change."

Bratton said the Master Plan for Girardeau County and Future Land-Use Plan specify that the area immediately surrounding the tract proposed for development should be developed for "urban residential uses."

In a memorandum to the City Council, Bratton said: "The nearest commercial uses are indicated around the Highway 61-Interstate 55 intersection and along Route K to the west of Cape Girardeau.

"It is the staff's opinion that approval of this development will constitute an amendment to the County's Future Land Use Plan..."

But planning commission administrator Charles Engelhart said Tuesday he didn't believe the land-use plan would necessarily need to be amended to allow for the proposed commercial development.

He said the County Planning Commission has yet to take any formal action on the proposal, but will consider the matter again at its March 18 meeting.

Bratton said that Missouri law requires that a public hearing be held before the county's land-use plan could be amended. No hearing has been held on Mid America Hotels' proposal.

"Although the state laws do not provide for a formal protest procedure in regard to adoption of, or amendments to the County Master Plan, the city would certainly have the right to appear and testify at any public hearing," Bratton's memo said.

The agenda for the Feb. 18 county planning commission meeting said the development would consist of a small commercial building and large billboard sign. The County Planning Commission has the final word on approval of the commercial development.

But because cities have some protest rights concerning zoning and subdivision plats for property within 1 miles of their corporate limits, the county asked the city if they had an opinion on the proposed development.

Councilman Doug Richards said Monday he didn't think the city should be involved in a matter outside its jurisdiction.

"I hate to exercise potential authority in an area that's outside our jurisdiction," Richards said.

Councilman David Limbaugh said: "I don't think they're asking us to assert authority. They just want our opinion."

A representative of Mid America Hotels couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.