Commissioner Purcell against Cape's peripheral zoning request; Koeper 'not leaning toward' it

While Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones has said any decision on Cape Girardeau's request for peripheral zoning will not come soon, the other two commissioners have concerns about the proposal.

Commissioner Jay Purcell, who represents Cape Girardeau, said the request for peripheral zoning within two miles of the city limits is a case of the city "having their cake and eating it, too."

Purcell said the city wants to have reach into the activities of surrounding areas but does not want to incur the expense of offering them the full benefits of living in the city, such as fire and police protection, water and sewer.

"They're saying 'We want to control what goes on in those two miles, but yet we don't want to give you all the benefits,'" Purcell said.

He said if areas want to become part of a city they can file for annexation or become incorporated.

Another concern for Purcell is the lack of representation for those living in the zone. While those residents will be affected by the city's regulations, they will not have a voice on the council.

Commissioner Paul Koeper, who represents all of the county that is not within the Cape Girardeau city limits, said while he has not committed to a decision on the issue, he does has several concerns.

"The benefits are not necessarily for my constituents. They are for Cape Girardeau," he said.

Koeper is also concerned there may be certain limitations within AG-1 zoning requirements that would affect feeding operations in the area.

He said he has received strong feedback from the people he represents and none of them has been in favor of the idea.

"I need to stay true and represent the people in my area. Right now I'm not leaning toward this," he said.

Because Jones will be leaving office in January, it is likely his successor will be involved in the decision making.

Pat Wissman, the Democrat candidate for presiding commissioner, said he is not in favor of peripheral zoning as presented to the county. He said any zoning should be voted on by the county and that he would like to see "common-sense" planning and zoning.

Republican candidate Clint Tracy said he is not ready to make a decision but that it is something that deserves examination.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

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401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau MO