Jones: Cape Girardeau County Commission won't rush peripheral zoning hearing

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said not to expect the county to address the issue of peripheral zoning in the near future.

At Thursday's commission meeting Jones said there are many issues surrounding the request from Cape Girardeau and that a lot of study would be needed before a decision could be made. State law requires the commission to have at least one public hearing on the matter before making a decision. Jones did not give a time estimate for the hearing either.

Part of Jones' concern with peripheral zoning is the ability to regulate some of the larger farms in the two-mile radius around the city that would be included.

"We can't regulate any agriculture by state statute, and I don't think Cape can, either. This is going to take a lot of study, lots of questions," Jones said.

If approved by the commission, the peripheral zone would become an AG-1 district, a less-restrictive agricultural designation allowing farming, single-family houses and small businesses. Other permitted uses include orchards, police and fire stations, bed and breakfasts, golf courses, nurseries and greenhouses, wineries and public parks. Deviations from the permitted uses would go to the city's planning and zoning commission for review, before going to the Cape Girardeau City Council for final approval.

Jones said the request from Cape Girardeau was for "full-blown planning and zoning" similar to what they have within the city.

Commissioner Jay Purcell, who served on the Cape Girardeau City Council, told Jones that while he is not in favor of peripheral zoning, the area affected would see regulations "nowhere near" what is in Cape Girardeau.

Other business

The commission also:

• Approved a resolution of support regarding LaSalle Estates, a complex of duplexes for senior citizen housing from MACO Development Co.
• Appointed Adrian Poole to the Industrial Development Authority Board.
• Approved a program agreement with MoDOT regarding the Bean Branch bridge on County Road 233.
• Approved pay request No. 8 for the Route AB project.
• Approved pay request No. 1 for bridge design on County Road 422.
• Approved a resolution of support from Mark Hasheider with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department for a radio tower near County Park North.

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