Zoning panel approves revised plan for Habitat subdivision; issue goes to city council

A revised plan to develop a Habitat for Humanity residential subdivision in Cape Girardeau won unanimous approval Wednesday night from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The city council is expected to give final approval to the preliminary plat when it meets Monday.

Planning and Zoning commissioners approved the preliminary plat for the 14-acre wooded site north of the Lombardo Drive and Clark Avenue intersection, despite ongoing opposition from neighbors.

Neighbors crowded the city council chambers in October to object to the project to provide single-family homes for low-income residents. They said it would lead to stormwater and traffic problems and lower property values.

Several opponents of the project attended Wednesday’s commission meeting.

“We know what your arguments are,” commission chairman Trae Bertrand said. “We do not have a choice.”

Missouri law is clear the commission and the council cannot deny a plat for a project that meets all the zoning requirements, he said.

But Dee Permannn, who lives at 1846 Ricardo Drive, expressed concern the proposed subdivision would add to storm-drainage problems in her neighborhood. She said her street and four others drain into the woods.

Bertrand said, “I am aware that it is like a river through there.”

The board of directors of the local Habitat organization unanimously voted in early November to revise development plans to address neighborhood concerns.

The modified, preliminary plat would create a wider, green buffer zone along the east boundary of the wooded site, realign Clark Avenue to create several turns that will slow traffic and expand stormwater detention beyond normal city requirements, according to Habitat officials.

Chris Koehler of Koehler Engineering, speaking on behalf of Habitat, said stormwater “discharge” would be addressed so the new subdivision would not add to drainage problems.

A homeowner association will be formed in the new subdivision, which will be responsible for maintaining drainage structures, he added.

Al Stoverink, executive director of the local Habitat chapter, attended the meeting but did not address the commission.

The planning commission earlier this year approved the original preliminary plat, which included setback variances.

The city council could have rejected those variances.

As part of the revisions, Habitat scrapped its request for setback variances.

Koehler told commissioners the subdivision plan now meets all the requirements for the site, which is zoned R-1, or single-family residential.

As part of the revisions, Habitat will scrap its original request for setback variances that could have prompted the city council to reject the plan.

Under the plan, the residential subdivision would have 35 lots instead of 40.

The preliminary plat includes a sidewalk/trail that would run along the rear of the subdivision lots.

Rick Crump of 1843 Lawanda Drive said he and a few other residents have met with Stoverink to address neighborhood concerns.

Crump said the revised plat reflects Habitat officials “actually listened to our complaints.”

He added, “I appreciate what they have done.”

Jackson developer Chad Hartle, who has developed low-income housing for the elderly, owns the property. He previously sought to develop the site, but neighborhood opposition derailed his plan.

Hartle has proposed to donate the land to Habitat for Humanity in exchange for state tax credits.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Clark Avenue and Lombardo Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.