GOVERNMENT: COUNTY REBUTS PLANNING OPPONENET'S TAX CLAIMS

Voter approval of county planning won't raise taxes for Cape Girardeau County residents, Auditor H. Weldon Macke said Friday.

Macke and members of the county's temporary planning commission accused opponents of the Nov. 7 planning measure of making misleading statements about an increase.

They said county property taxes won't increase regardless of whether voters approve the planning measure. The Cape Girardeau County Commission said it intends to implement zoning in the unincorporated areas of the county if voters approve the ballot measure. A simple majority is needed for passage.

Macke said half of the revenue from the county's sales tax goes to reduce property taxes. The county has not levied a property tax for the general revenue fund since 1982.

"Planning opponents are simply trying to scare you into voting against this issue by making a politically cliched statement," the planning commission said in a written statement issued late Friday afternoon.

But Doug Flannery, a Whitewater, Mo., area resident and vocal critic of planning and zoning, defended opponents' call to keep taxes low.

"I don't think it is misleading," he said. "Our taxes have gotten high over the years for various reasons. I believe the money can better be spent elsewhere."

The county had planning for 20 years ending in 1992, when voters rejected zoning and threw out planning as well. Flannery said the county spent $237,000 on planning operations over a three-year period ending in 1992. The spending went to operate a planning office and develop proposed zoning regulations, he said.

The latest zoning proposal was developed by the 10-member temporary planning commission, whose members were appointed by the county commission.

County officials have suggested any new planning and zoning office might initially operate on a $60,000 budget. Flannery believes the cost will be much higher.

Roger Arnzen, director of county mapping and appraisal, announced Friday that the temporary planning commission has revised some of the proposed regulations.

The changes:

* The minimum lot size for a home has been reduced from three acres to a half acre, with approval of a proper sewage disposal system by the county health department.

* If 75 percent or more of a business structure is destroyed by fire, no permit will be required to rebuild the structure if it is to be used for the same kind of business.

* Home occupation businesses will be allowed in all zones.

* No permits would be needed for convenience stores, mini-storage units and car lots to operate in commercial districts.

Flannery, however, puts little stock in the changes.

If voters approve planning, the county commission will appoint a permanent planning commission to recommend a master plan, subdivision and mobile-home park regulations and zoning restrictions. The final decision rests with the three-member county commission.

Flannery said there is no assurance the changes made by the temporary planning commission will be implemented.

He said the temporary planning commission's actions were a move to win votes. Said Flannery, "I believe they will do anything to get a yes vote."