Plans for a new Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau won approval from the city's Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday.

The commission voted for a special use permit for MidAmerica Hotels Corp. for a four-story hotel at 3257 William which would replace the existing Holiday Inn. The recommendation now goes to the city council for final action.

Bob Hahn, an engineer for MidAmerica Hotels, said a special use permit is needed to allow construction of any building over three stories tall in a C-2, general commercial zone.

Hahn said the current two-story Holiday Inn is 40 years-old. "It looks pretty good on the outside, but there are a lot of maintenance problems inside," he told the commission.

Hahn said the new rooms will be larger and include whirlpools.

Harry Rediger, commission chairman, welcomed the proposed development. "It should be a good addition to the west end," he said.

In other business, the commission recommended:

Approval of a special use permit for First Missouri State Bank to operate a banking facility in Chateau Girardeau, 3120 Independence, to serve the retirement center's residents.

Approval of Randol Farms Ninth Subdivision in the 2500 block of Abbey Road and the 2500 block of Palomino Drive.

Approval of St. Jude's First Subdivision in the 300 block of South Silver Springs Road.