P&Z FAVORS PERMITS OVER CHURCH REZONING

The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday recommended that the City Council deny a request by Cape Bible Chapel to rezone property on Kage Road.

But the commission unanimously recommended the church grant a special use permit.

Harold Tilley, a spokesman for Cape Bible Chapel, said the church wanted the property rezoned from R-1 to R-4 so that the congregation wouldn't have to continue to request special use permits every time it plans an expansion. The commission voted 5-1 against the request.

The chapel, situated at 2911 Kage Road, is in an R-1, or single family residential district. R-4 is a multiple family residential district. Tilley said that the chapel anticipates an addition to the sanctuary in a few years.

Commissioners said the special use permit would better serve the chapel's purposes in the residential area.

In other action, the commission recommended approval of a request by Jim and Eva Hinze for a special use permit to construct a storage facility for their salvage business at 1601 South Sprigg Street.

The commission also approved subdivision plats for Phase 1 of the West End Industrial Park, Westborough Subdivision and Northfield 11th Subdivision.