SIDEWALKS MAY BE MANDATORY IN ALL FUTURE SUBDIVISIONS

Cape Girardeau subdivision developers may be required to put sidewalks in their plans if Planning and Zoning commissioners have their way.

At the commission's meeting Wednesday night, city staff was asked to prepare an ordinance making sidewalks mandatory in all new subdivisions. The current law allows the City Council to require sidewalks in subdivisions they choose, but the new law would make sidewalks mandatory in all of them.

The Planning and Zoning Commission's action comes on the heels of a motion passed at Monday night's City Council meeting. When voting to rezone Forest Hills Subdivision from R-1 to R-2, Councilman Melvin Gateley tacked on an amendment that would require sidewalks in new subdivisions built within a mile of schools.

Planning and Zoning's proposed ordinance would take things a step further. Commissioner R.J. McKinney said people all over the city are out walking for their health and need sidewalks to ensure safety.

"The safety factor outweighs the cost," he said. "When you divide the cost of sidewalks on a per-lot basis, it shouldn't significantly increase the cost of a lot."

Commissioners plan to vote on the proposed ordinance at their Nov. 13 meeting. If passed it will be sent to the City Council for final approval.

Some on the commission raised questions about who would maintain the new sidewalks. City Planner Kent Bratton said property owners are responsible for maintaining them.

While the city is using money from a half-cent transportation sales tax for some sidewalk improvements, not every sidewalk in town will be addressed, he said. The city doesn't expect to get involved in ongoing maintenance.

"In the older areas of town, the residents just don't have the ability to bring their sidewalks back up to par," Bratton said.

Also at Wednesday's meeting was a public hearing regarding Cape Rock Woods, a development proposed for 1110 N. Cape Rock.

Scott M. Rhodes addressed the commission about the development, being called a "community unit." It would consist of a private road and eight homes, estimated to cost about $100,000 each. A residents' association would care for the common areas of the unit.

Rhodes requested the area be rezoned from R-1 to R-2, which means a smaller minimum lot size, and a special use permit to build the unique development.

The idea met with opposition from nearby homeowners, including Bill Dunham. Dunham questioned the wisdom of putting eight homes in such a relatively small space. He also asked questions about leasing, maintenance and drainage.

Stating that answering such questions wasn't within their duties, commissioners approved the rezoning but voted to table approval of a plat Rhodes presented.