Commission tables permit for proposed townhouse development

Plans to build five two-story townhouses stalled again after Cape Girardeau's planning and zoning commission tabled a special-use permit for Boulder Crest Estates.

Wayfield LLC, intends to build five two-story townhouse structures -- 43 units in all -- at the intersection of Boulder Crest Drive and Hunter's Lane, near Kingshighway and Cape Girar-deau County Park South. The land is currently zoned for local commercial use.

Commissioners voted June 13 to recommend that city council deny the permit altogether, citing area residents' opposition and the fact that developers had not appeared at that meeting to answer questions.

The city council sent the request back to planning and zoning commissioners to reconsider.

Residents Robert Clingingsmith, David Bruce and Bo Shantz repeated concerns from the commission's June 13 meeting that the number of units was too high for the amount of available land. Shantz said he preferred seeing a residential development on the site, but wanted specifics, including floor plans and buffer zones.

Bruce, who lives on Hunter's Lane agreed.

"I want to have something on a piece of paper that shows what's going on that property," he told commissioners.

Wayfield developers can return to the commission's Aug. 8 meeting.

Other action

The commission approved Harry and Stephanie Birkhead's request for a special-use permit to create a recording studio at their William Street home. Harry Birkhead uses the stage name Chris Belle.

The board conditionally voted to approve plats in Storey's subdivision in Ward 5; LaFont's First; a resubdivision on Blattner Drive and Blattner Second West; and a Smith subdivision and variance, all in Ward 6.