Members of Cape Girardeau's Planning and Zoning Commission want guidance on what exactly constitutes a conflict of interest.

R.J. McKinney, chairman of the commission, said Wednesday night that he wants city attorney Eric Cunningham to spell out what members of all city boards can and can't do.

McKinney said he was asking for clarification after what he called "the uproar" that followed Dennis Vollink's presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission last month on behalf of Drury Southwest, Inc., to request a special use permit for a sixth floor on an office building under construction at 3065 William St.

Vollink, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, is employed by DSW. He did not vote on DSW's request or on any other item on the March 11 agenda.

But state statute spells out that city officials, whether elected or appointed, cannot participate in any discussion on items in which they have a financial interest, Cunningham said at a City Council study session Monday night.

Cunningham could not be reached for further comment after Wednesday night's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The Planning and Zoning Commission last month recommended granting the special use permit on a 4-2 vote. The City Council denied the permit Monday night on a 3-3 vote.

Vollink was in the audience for the DSW presentation, but did not join in the presentation.

Tom Mogelnicki, vice chairman of the zoning commission, asked how commissioners should handle zoning requests for their own property.

He expects to be requesting a zoning change on property he owns in the city, but is unsure if he can make the request directly.

McKinney said he was uncertain, but Mogelnicki, or any other commission member, might have to hire an attorney.

Bob Blank, a commission member, also serves on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, where his daughter is a teacher.

When anything concerning his daughter is discussed, Blank said, he leaves the room, which is standard board policy.

"Maybe that's something we need to consider," said commission member Charles Hauboldt.

McKinney will request a letter from Cunningham outlining proper procedure and may also ask Cunningham to make a presentation to the commission.