CITY TO CONSIDER ANNEXATION OF ROUTE K LAND

Cape Girardeau could gain some new land but little tax revenue with a proposed annexation of two schools and undeveloped property west of the city limits along Route K.Four property owners along Route K have petitioned the city to be annexed into city limits. They are the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission, Christian Faith Fellowship, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and James L. Drury and Wanda L. Drury.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has set a public hearing on the proposal for 7:30 tonight. During the hearing, the council will also consider annexation requests from Ervin Frank Jr. and Lucille Frank for a 10.76-acre tract at the end of Frank's Lane and a 34.73-acre tract at Hopper Road and County Road 313.

The largest area requesting annexation includes 190.58 acres that follows the city's plan for annexation and development, said Kent Bratton, city planner. "It's in one of our growth areas," he said. The city prefers "friendly" annexations, which originate as requests from property owners seeking city services, to involuntary annexations that can create legal battles. Voluntary annexations takes about 90 days to complete the paperwork and pass an ordinance.

Property owned by the Drurys makes up the largest portion of the tract 89.3 acres to be annexed. Christian Faith Fellowship is the smallest tract along Route K at 10.366 acres. Eagle Ridge Christian School, which originated from the Christian Faith Fellowship church, and Notre Dame Regional High School were built just a few miles outside city limits. Both receive city water and sewer service. When the schools were being built they requested city services, so the annexation petition is just tying up loose ends, Bratton said. The cost of providing the pipes and construction of the lines was paid by both the schools and the city. Once the construction was complete, the schools planned to ask for annexation.

While the schools both have growing enrollments, they won't provide a large tax-revenue for the city. There are no occupants on the other property owned by developer James L. Drury and Wanda L. Drury.

City Manager Michael Miller said the annexation is a short-term loss and a long-term gain for the city.

While it might be costly now to provide water and sewer services and fire and police protection, over time it might be beneficial. If businesses were to develop along the property later, they would generate a tax revenue for the city. Once the city annexes land it makes the area surrounding that property eligible for annexation as well, Miller said.

The city is annexing land owned by the transportation department but will not be responsible for maintaining Route K. The annexation is necessary so that the city limits will continue to be contiguous along the roadway.