P&Z opposes foster-care permit in Melrose

Neighbors opposed a couple's plan to care for up to 10 foster children in a Cape Girardeau home. The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission also rejected the idea, suggesting it sounded more like a business than a neighborhood residence.

The commission Wednesday night unanimously recommended the city council deny the request of Mavis Panford and Lawrence Bleboo for a special-use permit to provide foster care for up to 10 children at 2390 Cheetah Lane, in the Melrose Place subdivision south of Lexington Avenue.

City planner Kent Bratton said the couple could keep as many as six foster children at that home without a special-use permit.

Bleboo, who lives at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., owns the four-bedroom, single-story house. City officials said Panford planned to provide the foster care.

Don Lang, who lives at 1941 Westwood Drive and whose property adjoins the rear of Bleboo's property, presented a petition opposing the request signed by 71 neighbors.

"I think people are concerned about 10 children living in the home," he told commissioners. "It seems to me that would make it a business."

Rick Bonham of 2374 Cheetah Lane said the subdivision, still under construction, is designed to be strictly residential. He said a home with 10 foster children would be like a day care.

Bleboo and Panford said they want to care for foster children ranging in age from 8 to 18.

Developer Gary Arnold, who has built the Melrose Place subdivision, said in a letter restrictive covenants governing that development provide solely for single-family occupancy.

"I have spent in excess of $1.5 million to develop this subdivision and provide a very nice, upscale area," Arnold wrote. "It is my belief that foster care could be done elsewhere and not devalue the surrounding property values."

Commissioner Harry Rediger said foster care is admirable, but the proposal is wrong for the neighborhood.

"It violates the single-family covenant," commissioner Raymond Buh said.

The commission's recommendation to deny the request will be forwarded to the city council. The council will consider the issue on March 21 and could set a public hearing on the issue for April 18.

The commission acted on the permit request within a half hour.

In other action, the commission recommended the city council:

* Rezone 2948 Bloomfield Road from single-family residential to general commercial.

* Approve the record plats of Blattner Drive Fourth West Minor Subdivision, Coyote Creek Estates Subdivision and Cape Meadows Second Subdivision.

* Approve the preliminary plat of Orchard Park.

Also, the commission elected R.J. McKinney as the vice chairman for the advisory board.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123