DEVELOPMENT ALONG LEXINGTON DEBATED

Development along Lexington Avenue continues to be a contentious issue in Cape Girardeau.

About 30 people attended Wednesday's planning and zoning commission meeting, most of them to oppose a plan for a multi-zoned subdivision on the east side of Lexington, west of Belleridge subdivision.

But after nearly three hours, the commission was able to craft a compromise plan that was acceptable to most of the opponents.

The development, Lexington Place, was proposed by developer G. Keith Deimund and included single-family, two-family and multiple-family zoning.

But area property owners objected to any zoning other than single family.

"All of us in that area have invested a considerable amount of money and pride in our homes," said Jonathon Foley of 2132 Woodhollow Court. "I don't want apartments or duplexes."

Gerald Nicholson of 3010 Melrose called the proposed development an "aberration" in development along that stretch of Lexington.

But commissioners, Deimund and nine out of 10 people who spoke against the subdivision plan agreed to a compromise that eliminated the multiple-family zoning in the northern three acres of the tract and eliminated all but 25 duplex lots.

All of the property that fronts Lexington would remain a single-family residential district, and the duplexes would abut a subdivision that already includes some two-family zoning. Initially, about half of the nearly 90 lots were proposed for duplexes.

The commission unanimously approved a motion recommending that the city council accept the compromise plan.

But it's unclear whether the council will favor the proposal. One problem is that the three acres initially proposed for apartments has no access other than from Lexington.

The council has taken the position that it wants to restrict residential access on Lexington -- an arterial street with an expected high traffic volume once it's finished.

"We don't object to removing the apartments from the plan as long as the city gives us access to the lots," said Deimund.

The developer said he preferred keeping the tract split roughly in half between duplex and single-family homes because there's such a great demand in Cape Girardeau for duplex housing.

"I get one or two calls every week from people wanting duplexes," Deimund said. "I think there's a need for it."

But property owners said they fear any rental property would drive down property values in the exclusive neighborhood.

Commission chairman Charles Haubold said those fears probably aren't warranted.

"A lot of these duplexes will go for $145,000 to $185,000, and $700 to $950 rent a side per month," Haubold said. "It's heavy duty."

Access onto Lexington and development along the route has been an ongoing issue since the city began building the arterial street through the city's north side.

In other business at Wednesday's meeting, the commission recommended the city council:

-- Approve the request of Lon and Joyce Maxey for a special-use permit for a business office with a single employee at 33 Rivercrest Drive, in a single-family residential district.

-- Deny the request of Wade and Joyce Owens for a special use permit for a mail order parts business at 624 Koch Avenue in a single-family residential district.

-- Approve the request of Jeannie Stout and others for a special use permit for a sign at a bed and breakfast at 444 Marie Street.

-- Approve the request of International Church of the Foursquare Gospel for a special use permit for a temporary church school at 1222 and 1224 Bloomfield.