NEXT P&Z PLAN WILL COME FROM RURAL FOLKS

When Cape Girardeau County resident said they didn't want county planning and zoning in 1992, they meant it. Last week's 2-to-1 vote against a new planning package sent another clear message.

Certainly, planning and zoning could benefit county residents. The area is growing. Already we see abandoned trailers being parked next to immaculately kept homes, a used-car lot adjoining beautiful new townhouses and a recycling plant slated for construction near an elderly man's house.

And, while all those situations would have been grandfathered in had countywide planning and zoning passed, the measure would have given people a say about similar situations in the future.

The county commission is to be applauded for its handling of the issue. As promised, it appointed a temporary planning committee that developed a plan the commissioners believed would be fair to all. Public hearings were held, and commissioners made themselves available to talk to local groups about the measure.

But they were thwarted at every turn by organized opposition from individuals who had moved outside of city limits so they wouldn't have to face planning and zoning limitations. The commission paid $29,000 a regional planning commission to develop a plan for Cape Girardeau County, and opponents sued because the county spent money without voter approval. The public hearings became forums for anti-planning activists to put forth their arguments.

Ironically, the anti-planning force's leader, Doug Flannery, lost his bid to become District 1 commissioner. Incumbent Larry Bock won with 58 percent of the vote.

Clearly, there is a lesson here.

District 1 includes all of rural Cape Girardeau County. The residents obviously are satisfied with Mr. Bock and don't hold his support of planning and zoning against him.

However, they believed they sent a message in 1992: We moved out here to avoid city codes and city zoning. Don't try to force them upon us. We don't care what happens as a result.

Maybe a few more zoning-related disasters must happen for Cape Girardeau County's rural residents to believe they need a plan. But they must be the ones to ask for it.