VOTE LIMITS CHURCH PROJECT

A congregation got half of what it wanted from city zoning officials -- a nod to build a new church and day-care center but not an amphitheater and sports complex.

Gary Brothers, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church of Cape Girardeau, said he was "satisfied for now" with the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission's unanimous vote Wednesday on his church's plans.

But neighbors of the proposed 53.7-acre project between Old Hopper Road and Interstate 55 said they hope the city council clarifies or tosses out the recommendation at its Aug. 6 meeting. They argued that a growing church with a 1,200-space parking lot means increased traffic, more noise and decreased property values.

"This is a foot in the door," said Steve LeGrand of 3618 Old Hopper Road. "Once they get the church built, they will hammer it and hammer it and hammer it until they get what they want, we get sick of it, move out and lose money."

Special use permit

The neighborhood's current zoning is single-family residential. The commission's vote means members recommend the city council grant a special use permit for the church and day-care center on the 3700 block of Old Hopper Road.

They also want Old Hopper Road access to the property closed once Vantage Drive, which runs along the east side of I-55, is extended to the church.

Chairman Charles Haubold said the commission made its decision hoping residents and the congregation eventually work out their differences.

"Some of the problems may not be there, and some may be eliminated," he said. "There are a lot of ifs that we don't know."

The total project was to include a baseball diamond, soccer field, tennis courts, amphitheater, volleyball court and 3-acre lake. Brothers said he doesn't have a cost estimate from the architect for the project, but work on the new church building could begin as soon as spring. Plans were to complete the project over 10 years.

Standing-room only

About 100 people attended the standing-room-only commission meeting, two-thirds of them church members. They beamed, applauded and hugged after the vote. At least one offered to buy a project neighbor's home.

During presentations, Brothers made an impassioned plea to the commission to recognize the church, currently at 750 N. Mt. Auburn Road, as "a good neighbor." He used documentation from engineering firm Smith & Co. of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to argue that maximum weekly church traffic would be half of what a residential development in the same area would generate -- 3,000 cars compared to 7,500 cars.

Current church membership is 1,800.

Brothers said there wouldn't be flooding problems because the necessary building permits would prohibit them, and a greenspace between the church and neighbors should alleviate many concerns.

Not all neighbors were convinced. Tim Quigley of 3714 Hopper Road said he wants the council to clear up ambiguity in the commission's vote.

"They really didn't address the size of the parking area," he said.

Brothers said he believes the project will be accepted as people learn more about it.