Neighbors' opposition kills Cape housing plan

~ Jackson developer Chad Hartle wanted to erect 47 rental homes for low-income senior citizens.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission rejected a proposed low-income housing project for Cape Girardeau on Friday, citing strong neighborhood opposition.

"It really broke the deal," commission spokesman David Bryan said of the neighborhood opposition.

The commission turned down the funding request of Jackson developer Chad Hartle, who wanted to bulldoze a 14-acre woods in the heart of Cape Girardeau and erect 47 rental homes for low-income senior citizens.

Commission staff didn't recommend the project for funding. The board, meeting in Jefferson City, followed that advice, Bryan said.

Surrounding neighbors objected to the plan, saying it would reduce property values. Many also opposed the development because it would have connected the dead-end streets they live on. The project would have connected Clark, Stoddard, Ricardo and Lawanda streets.

That would have created more traffic and could have brought more crime to their neighborhoods, residents said.

Ken Grayum of 1852 Lawanda Drive was thrilled with the commission's action. "I am happy to hear that," said Grayum, who helped circulate a petition that gathered signatures from 162 neighbors opposed to the proposed development.

Grayum said more signatures could have been collected if residents had learned of the project earlier. "We only had two days to get this thing in," he said of the petition submitted to the housing commission and the city council.

Nelda Steffen, who lives at 1505 N. Clark Ave., also voiced happiness at the outcome. "The big boys listened," she said of the housing commissioners.

But she still worries about future development. Hartle has said he wants to develop the land one way or another. It is zoned for single-family housing. The proposed housing project would have met that requirement, city officials have said.

"It is obvious we are going to have to be on our toes," said Steffen.

Hartle has said it isn't feasible to provide housing for low-income senior citizens without a loan and tax credits from the state commission.

He applied for more than half a million dollars in tax credits and a $763,000 loan to help finance the project.

Hartle was out of town Friday and couldn't be reached for comment.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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