VOTERS MUST BE INFORMED ON COUNTY ZONING

Cape Girardeau countians are being given the opportunity to express their opinions and learn more about a plan to once again implement countywide planning and ultimately zoning.

Since the matter will be put to a vote at the Nov. 7 general election, every voter in Cape Girardeau County should take advantage of a series of public meetings between Sept. 19 and Oct. 3.

Supporters say planning and zoning is needed to protect property owners from unwanted and unregulated development. Critics don't like the idea of the government telling them what they can and can't do with their own property.

Regardless of which side -- if either -- you are on, you owe it to yourself to attend one of the five public meetings that will be held around the county. People who live in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and other incorporated towns in the county should attend as well as rural residents since the question will be put before voters in both incorporated and rural areas of the county.

As specified in state statutes governing first-class counties, voters will be asked only to approve county planning. If voters approve planning, the County Commission plans to establish zoning districts and enact zoning regulations. The commission also would implement a county master plan, and subdivision and mobile-home-park-development regulations. A permanent planning commission and a planning director would be created.

Planning and zoning has been difficult to come by in Cape Girardeau County. Planning was approved by voters in 1972 and remained in force until 1992, when voters tossed it out along with county subdivision and mobile-home-park regulations adopted by a 1975 county commission and a county master plan.

The County Commission initially had wanted the question put to a vote in April but decided against it to allow time for voters to educate themselves. Take advantage of that opportunity by attending one of these hearings, all of which begin at 7 p.m.:

* Sept. 19, Millersville School.

* Sept. 21, County Administrative Building meeting room in Jackson.

* Sept. 26, Cape Girardeau, at a place to be determined.

* Sept. 28, Delta High School cafeteria.

* Oct. 3, Oak Ridge High School gymnasium.