PAVING COSTS UPSET BAST STREET RESIDENTS

JACKSON -- Property owners opposed and those in favor of paving the 200 block of South Bast Street agree on one thing the price tag is too high.

Reacting to a petition from property owners concerned about storm water runoff and dust along the block, the City of Jackson produced a engineer's estimate of $49,319 to pave the 200-foot section of the little-used dead-end street. The individual costs range from about $600 for one property owner with only 5 feet of right of way to more than $9,000 each for a few property owners.

Those who spoke in favor of the paving at a public hearing Monday night still were unanimously concerned about the cost. William Brock, who owns two properties along the block, suggested the city consider making the street only 30 feet wide instead of 36 feet wide, as proposed. City officials will investigate whether they could legally do so.

Another suggestion to be considered by city staff is paving the street with asphalt instead of concrete. But City Administrator Steve Wilson suggested that could cause more problems with storm water runoff instead of alleviating them.

Others who spoke in favor echoed Brock's hope that the price could be reduced.

Virginia Walter was one of two residents speaking in opposition to the paving plan and questioned why the cost is so high. Building at a width of 36 feet or 30 feet doesn't matter to her. "I can't afford it either way."

She said she will have to sell her property and move if the plan proceeds.

"I feel the project isn't necessary," said Milton Kasten, who has lived on the block for 47 years.

Calling the estimate "unreasonably high," he questioned whether the project should proceed if some people can't afford to pay. "If I'm for something that would create a hardship for my neighbor, I can't go along with it," he said.

The petition to pave the street could have been defeated if the owners of more than half the property were opposed to paving, but the opposition only represents 49 percent of the property.

No decision on the project was made Monday night.

"I will tell you the board is concerned about the cost of this street," Mayor Paul Sander said.

The city staff will provide the Board of Aldermen with alternatives for its next study session.

In other business Monday, the board heard views on both sides of a request to rezone 33 acres of land along Highway 61 North from residential to commercial to accommodate a planned nine-hole golf course. Developer Ron Clark said the course would be designed for children, beginners and families who want to learn to play golf and don't have the time or money to play full rounds. "It's a whole different way of playing golf," he said.

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission has voted against the commercial rezoning but recommended granting a conditional special use permit.

At a future meeting, the Board of Aldermen will vote solely on whether to grant the zoning change. If the zoning change is not granted, it would be up to Clark to request a special use permit.

CAPE COUNCIL OKs PLAN FOR ROSE GARDEN

Headline CAPE COUNCIL OKs PLAN FOR ROSE GARDEN

The City of Roses is about to get another rose garden, but this one will be supported by the planning efforts of Vision 2000.

During Tuesday night's meeting, the Cape Girardeau City Council passed a motion supporting an effort to create a Vision 2000 rose garden near the back lot of City Hall at 401 Independence.

City Councilman Melvin Gateley suggested the idea for the garden at the southeastern edge of the city hall parking lot.

The garden would help bring some recognition to supporters of Vision 2000 as well as offering a "neat little place" for people to see, he said.

The area already has a bed of jonquils planted by Vision 2000 volunteers. Vision 2000 is a planning advisory commission for the city that was founded in 1987.

Gateley, who has worked with Vision 2000 since its inception, offered the garden as a means for giving recognition to people who have helped promote future planning in the city.

Engraved bricks also could be sold as a fund-raising effort to pay for the flower garden, Gateley suggested.

"There would not be any expense for the city," he said.

People in the community could purchase a brick, which would be used to line a walkway throughout the garden.

Councilman Richard "Butch" Eggimann said the work of Vision 2000 has been marvelous. He has seen other groups use the engraved bricks as fund-raising projects, too.

"It's a neat way to raise the money," he said, "and as a former student of this school, I think the garden will bring beauty to the renovations of this building."

City offices are housed in the former Lorimier School.

Tentative plans are to dedicate the garden in October after a year of culminating activities and celebrations by Vision 2000 members and the community, Gateley said.

In other action, the council:

* Denied a request of Michael and Dawn Kirby for a special-use permit and rezoning of property at 2613 Perryville Road. The property was originally zoned as single-family residential, but the Kirbys hoped to build additional apartments on the lot making it a multiple-family residential district.

The Planning and Zoning Commission had denied the request by a 7-1 vote because it would have created spot zoning in the area. The property is surrounded by R-1, single-family residential property, so approving plans for added apartment units wouldn't have fit within the zoning class, said Charles Haubold, commission chairman.

* The council also held public hearings on three upcoming Transportation Trust Fund projects along New Madrid Street from Perry Avenue to Henderson Avenue and the extension of Mount Auburn Road from Bloomfield Road to Silver Springs Road.

No one spoke during the short hearings.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL

Agenda

Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Council chambers, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Consent ordinances (Second and third readings)

* Approved ordinance annexing 10.76-acre tract of land into the city upon the request of Ervin Frank Jr. and Lucille Frank.

* Approved ordinance annexing 34.73-acre tract of land into the city upon the request of Michael P. Drury, Mitchell J. Drury, Michelle M. Drury, LaDonna S. Drury, Christopher R. Drury, Patrick G. Drury, Bryan J. Drury, Jerry M. Drury and Kathlean E. Drury and Drury Southwest Inc.

* Approved ordinance annexing a 190.58-acre tract into the city upon the request of Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission, Christian Faith Fellowship, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, James L. Drury, trustee, and Wanda L. Drury, trustee.

* Approved ordinance vacating the city's interest in a sewer, utility and drainage easement in Cape West 8th Subdivision.

* Approved ordinance amending City Code by placing a stop sign on Armstrong Drive at Siemers Drive.

New ordinances (First reading)

* Approved ordinance annexing 24-acre tract into the city upon the request of Robert A. Drury, owner, RAD Investments.

* Approved ordinance amending City Code by establishing speed limits on William Street from Interstate 55 to County Road 317.

* Approved ordinance amending City Code by placing stop signs on County roads 317, 203 and 206, Notre Dame Drive and Parkwood Lake Drive.

* Approved ordinance amending City Code establishing no parking on William Street from Kingshighway west to the city limits, except for emergency stopping.

* Approved ordinance amending City Code by placing yield signs on Notre Dame Drive at William Street.

* Approved ordinance amending City Code relating to funeral processions.

* Approved ordinance declaring it necessary to improve Southern Expressway from South Kingshighway to Silver Springs Road.

Resolutions (Reading and passage)

* Passed resolution authorizing city manager to execute an agreement with R and K Curtis Inc. for remodel/reconstruction of the Cape Girardeau Transfer Station.

* Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an amended memorandum of lease with Spicer Manufacturing Inc. for a tract of land at 2075 Corporate Circle.

* Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an addendum to an agreement for engineering services with Strickland Engineering for Southern Expressway extension from South Kingshighway to Silver Springs Road.

Liquor licenses

* Granted conditional approval of retail liquor by the drink license for Jason Lee Bilbrey, dba Happy Hour Sports Bar, 118 Themis, Jason Lee Bilbrey, managing officer.

Other

* Appointed Thomas Harold to Tree Board.

* Denied the request of Michael F. and Dawn M. Kirby to rezone 2613 Perryville Road from R-1, single-family residential district, to R-4, multiple-family residential district and for a special-use permit for a community unit plan.