Large crowd turns out at Cape city council meeting to contest developer

Much of the Cape Girardeau City Council's weekly meeting revolved around an at-times contentious and disorganized debate over the future of a proposed development near the intersection of Hopper and Old Hopper roads Thursday night.

Among the standing-room-only crowd packed into the chamber, many were residents who lived near the land in question and who claimed they stood to incur considerable losses in property value depending on what shape the development ultimately takes. Many expressed skepticism about the developer, Brandon Williams, who one resident said had engaged in "aggressive development" tactics, while city officials tried to keep commentary focused on agenda items and explain the city's role in approving development projects.

During the meeting, city officials approved a preliminary plat for Deer Run Estates, a 55-acre tract slated for the construction of 38 single-family lots at the southwest corner of Hopper Road and Old Hopper Road in an area zoned R-1 (single-family residential).

Most of the commentary, however, focused on a separate part of Williams' broader development plans on additional nearby property. Most of those plans remain unclear, as Williams at one time proposed building a senior living community before meeting resistance in the rezoning process.

Residents said when those plans were blocked Williams then mused about developing the property into housing eligible for low-income families, the elderly or disabled through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Many residents complained to the council such a development would adversely affect their property values. Several claimed they stood to lose in excess of $100,000 in property values if such housing were built near their own homes.

While many spoke out against the developer, one resident who claimed to know Williams said even if the developer built low-income housing, Williams would maintain them diligently.

Williams did not address the council during the meeting.

City officials, citing existing zoning ordinances and property law, told those in attendance it's not the city's role to dictate what a developer can or can't build on his land, given his proposals fall within zoning guidelines.

They said consideration for property values only can be addressed in the zoning process.

Mayor Bob Fox said after the council meeting the city had taken routine measures to keep residents abreast of the situation throughout the development's progress. City manager Scott Meyer also met with a selection of residents and the developer in recent weeks to facilitate a dialogue, but several residents who addressed the council Thursday said posting council agendas online and elsewhere was not good enough.

With the preliminary plat of the first phase of his development approved, Williams is now cleared to begin moving earth to build Deer Run Estates. The zoning drama surrounding the remainder of the project, however, will likely continue as the City's Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to discuss the project at its next meeting, held the second Wednesday of every month.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573)388-3627