COUNCIL GIVES FIRST NOD TO MICROBREWERIES

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday took a step toward allowing microbreweries to do business in the city.

By a unanimous vote, the council granted preliminary approval to changes in the city's zoning ordinance that would allow such businesses to operate. A final vote is expected Feb. 15.

Microbreweries, or brew pubs, are bars, usually with restaurants attached, that brew beer on site. In the past decade, brew pubs have become popular across the country.

Two Cape Girardeau businessmen, Mark Sprigg and Phil Brinson, are planning to open such an establishment in the Buckner-Ragsdale building on Broadway between Main and Water streets.

However, Cape Girardeau's zoning ordinance considers brewing as manufacturing.

"There are no provisions in the current ordinance to allow for it," Kent Bratton, the city planner, said of the proposed brewery.

Under the existing ordinance, breweries are limited to heavy industrial areas.

The changes would allow microbreweries in areas zoned as general commercial, central business districts or light industrial. Beer produced at a microbrewery could be sold both on and off the premises.

In other action, the council rejected 1-6 a request from the Gibson Recovery Center to rezone its property at 1112 Linden St. from R-4, multiple family residential, to C-1, local commercial.

Dick Decker, the center's director, requested the change so the zoning would better reflect the center's current and historical use.

However, several council members expressed concern that the zoning change could limit the city's ability to prevent the center, an in-patient substance-abuse treatment facility, from adding new services that might be opposed by its neighbors.

The council also gave first-round approval to extend Kent Street from the current dead end to Lexington Avenue. The project has been approved numerous times over the past nine years but has faced a variety of delays.

Cape Girardeau City Council

Monday, Feb. 1

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

-- Approved an ordinance annexing land to the city upon the request of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission.

-- Approved an ordinance annexing land to the city upon the request of David E. Howard, James and Christina Green and Mark and Kellie Phillips.

-- Approved an ordinance reaffirming the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve, providing for the improvement, directing the city manager to enter into a contract to do the work, and providing for the manner of payment of the work, of Delwin Street from Leroy Drive to Janet Drive, for a distance of approximately 345 feet.

New ordinances

(First readings)

-- Approved an ordinance, with one abstention, declaring it necessary to improve Timberland Drive from Kage Road to the dead end; Capaha Trail from the end of existing pavement to the dead end; Garden Lane from Capaha Trail to the dead end; Hill Street from Johnson Street to the dead end; Beaudean Lane from College Street to south of Elm Street; Beaudean Lane from Linden Street to Hickory Street; Engram Street from Highland Drive to the dead end; Terry Lane from Kingsway Drive to Joanne Street; and Johnson Street from Rand Street to Riverview Drive.

-- Approved, 6-1, an ordinance declaring it necessary to improve that part of Kent Street, from the termination of the existing pavement in Woodland Hills subdivision to Lexington Avenue, approximately 450 feet.

-- Tabled an ordinance granting a special use permit to Vernon E. Rhodes Family Partners, L.P., for purposes of constructing, maintaining and operating a community unit plan at the southwest corner of Kingshighway and Boulder Crest Drive.

-- Defeated, 1-6, an ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of part of a tract of 1112 Linden Street from R-4 to C-1.

-- Approved an ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the City Code relating to zoning.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a drainage easement from Perry E. and Bessie R. Cook for the improvement of Missouri Street from Mississippi Street to Scott Street.

-- Approved an ordinance levying a special assessment for the 97-1, 4-inch asphalt pavement program for the improvement of Vincent Avenue from Country Club Drive to Timon Way; Flint Hille Road from Big Bend Road northwesterly to a dead end; Country Club Drive from the club gate southward to a dead end; Redwood Drive from vista Lane to Lear Drive; Bevin Drive from West Rodney westward to a dead end; Cedar Lane from Charles Street northward to a dead end; and Rand Street from Water Street to Roberts Street, and authorizing the issuance of special tax bills there for.

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Natgun Corp. for the Cape Rock water treatment plant expansion and alluvial well project. (Contingent upon approval of award by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.)

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Southeast Missouri State University for an historic resource survey of the West End/Sunset Historic District.

Appointments

-- Appointed Mark Seesing to the Airport Advisory Board.

-- Reappointed James Banken and Deborah Beard to the Golf Course Advisory Board.

Liquor license

-- Granted conditional approval of a retail liquor by the drink license for Rocky Brown and/or Debbie Dees (D&B Inc.), dba Rocks Road House, 2100 Big Bend Rd.

Other

-- Tabled a motion approving the amended preliminary plat of Vernon Rhodes subdivision.

-- Approved a motion accepting improvements to the College/Henderson North CSO Sewer, SRF Loan C295229-01, 1994 sewer bond phase one, and authorizing final payment to Robinson Construction Co.