P&Z PANEL TO TAKE UP HALFWAY HOUSE ISSUE

The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission will hear a request from the Gibson Center for a rezoning and special use permit to allow operation of a halfway house program for the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole.

A public hearing and discussion and action are scheduled on the request to rezone the center at 1112 Linden from R-4 multiple family residential to C-1 local commercial district and issue the special use permit.

In October, the Cape Girardeau City Council passed an ordinance requiring that all halfway houses be within commercial, manufacturing or industrial zones and requiring the special use permits.

Originally, the council had considered legislation that would have barred halfway houses from almost all locations in the city.

Some opposition has been voiced to the halfway house proposal, which calls for housing inmates within 90 days of their release dates at the Gibson Center for alcohol and drug abuse treatment.

R.J. McKinney, chairman of the zoning commission, said he expects to hear opposition to the Gibson Center's requests at tonight's meeting.

"There's going to be some opposition from the surrounding property owners," he said.

The Gibson Center is adjacent to an apartment complex for handicapped adults and senior citizens, the Head Start center and Parkview State School for the Handicapped, as well as several homes.

"I've heard from a couple of property owners in the area that are speaking for their tenants. And some of the older residents in the surrounding area and the mobile home park and one of the other apartments there have voiced their objection," McKinney said.

There are currently no halfway houses in Southeast Missouri. Proponents of the plan say it would help inmates make a successful transition from prison to life on the outside and employment.

McKinney refused to speculate on the commission's vote. The commission will make its recommendation to the City Council, which will have the final decision.

"How ever our vote goes, both sides can go to the council and present their side to the council on Dec. 1," McKinney said. "(The council) can overrule us. They haven't overruled us very many times since I've been on the council."

CAPE GIRARDEAU PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.

City Hall

Hearings

-- Request of G. Keith Deimund to rezone two lots in the Lynwood Hills Subdivision from R-1 to R-4 and three lots in the Lynwood Hills Subdivision and three tracts fronting Cape LaCroix Road from R-1 to C-1.

-- Request of Gibson Recovery Center, Inc., to rezone 1112 Linden St. from R-4 to C-1 and for a special use permit for a 16- to 20-bed correctional facility for the state of Missouri in a wing of the present facility.

-- Request of Cape Girardeau School District for a special use permit for construction of a new vocational school on an 80-acre tract along S. Silver Springs Road in an R-1 district.

-- Request of Cape Girardeau School District for a special use permit for construction of a new elementary school at 1829 N. Sprigg St. in an R-1 district.

-- Request of Cape Girardeau School District for a special use permit for construction of an addition to Jefferson Elmentary School at 520 S. Minnesota Ave. in an R-2 district.

-- Request of Bo and Diane Shantz for a special use permit for construction of an insurance office an a tract at the northeast conrer of Perryville Road and Lexington Avenue in a single-family residential district.

-- Request of the city of Cape Girardeau for a special use permit for an indoor and outdoor firing range for the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 200 Third St. in an M-2 district.

Discussion and voting on applications

-- Request of G. Keith Deimund to rezone two lots in the Lynwood Hills Subdivision from R-1 to R-4 and three lots in the Lynwood Hills Subdivision and three tracts fronting Cape LaCroix Road from R-1 to C-1.

-- Request of Gibson Recovery Center, Inc., to rezone 1112 Linden St. from R-4 to C-1 and for a special use permit for a 16- to 20-bed correctional facility for the state of Missouri in a wing of the present facility.

-- Request of Cape Girardeau School District for a special use permit for construction of a new vocational school on an 80-acre tract along S. Silver Springs Road in an R-1 district.

-- Request of Cape Girardeau School District for a special use permit for construction of a new elementary school at 1829 N. Sprigg St. in an R-1 district.

-- Request of Cape Girardeau School District for a special use permit for construction of an addition to Jefferson Elmentary School at 520 S. Minnesota Ave. in an R-2 district.

-- Request of Bo and Diane Shantz for a special use permit for construction of an insurance office an a tract at the northeast conrer of Perryville Road and Lexington Avenue in a single-family residential district.

-- Request of the city of Cape Girardeau for a special use permit for an indoor and outdoor firing range for the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 200 Third St. in an M-2 district.

Subdivision Plats

-- Record plat of Sweetbriar Townhouses Plat 2.

-- Preliminary plat of Golden Eagle Subdivision.

-- Record plat of Cape Rock Woods.

Other items and staff communications

-- Resolution adopting the annexation policy for the city of Cape Girardeau.

Note: The public hearing before City Council on rezoning and special use permit applications approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission will be held Monday, Dec. 1.