HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning & Zoning Commission Minutes 01-14-26CITY of CAPE GIRARDEAU
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 14, 2026
City Hall -Council Chambers
. 44 North Lorimier Street
Commission Members Present: Trae Bertrand, Scott Blank, Robbie Guard, Blake Hagedorn,
Derek Jackson, Gerry Jones, Chris Martin, Nick Martin
Commission Members Absent: Emily McElreath
Staff Present: Trevor Pulley, Ryan Shrimplin
Call to Order
Chairman Blank called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Approval ·of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Jackson and seconded by Mr. Chris Martin to approve the minutes of
the December 10, 2025 meeting as. submitted. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
REZONINGS, SPECIAL USE PERMITS, AND EXCEPTIONS
1. A public hearing was· held on the request of Rit!er Southeast Holdings LLC for an exception
from Development Code Section 25-223(b)(1), parking lot landscaping requirements, for
property located at 110 South Broadview Street. Mr. Chris Buerck, Bowen Engineering &
Surveying, presented the request. He explained that the property is to be developed for a
new restaurant. The developer wishes to minimize the number of landscaping islands within
the parking lot. The request is for approval of a reduced parking lot interior landscaping
percentage (11.9% vs. 15% required) in exchange for providing more plant types than what
is required by the code.
Chairman Blank opened the public hearing. Seeing no appearances to speak, he closed the
public hearing. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which contained the following
findings of fact:
Criterion #1: As part of the exception request, a "substantial equivalent" is proposed.
"Substantial equivalent" means an alternate design,· method or feature that accomplishes
the same purpose as the applicable Development Code requirement.
Finding: The purpose of the requirement is to break up the expanse of pavement
in parking lots and to provide a balance between the built and natural
environments. Landscaping areas make sites more attractive, and they can be
designed to incorporate stormwater management features. The Development
Code requires parking lot interior landscaping areas to be completely covered with
at least one of the groundcovertypes·in Section25-225(1) and contain at least one
of the plant types in Section 25-225(2) through (6). In exchange for approval of a
City of Cape Girardeau
Planning & Zoning Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2026
Page 2 of 3
reduced parking lot interior landscaping percentage, the applicant is proposing to
provide more plants and plant types than what is required by the Code. This
constitutes a substantial equivalent because the applicant is upgrading the
landscaping in terms of plantings while still providing enough landscaping area to
break up the pavement area.
Criterion #2: Approval of the exception request is consistent with the general spirit and
intent of the Development Code.
Finding: The substantial equivalent proposed by the applicant ensures fairness
among property owners and tenants, which makes approval of the exception
request consistent with the general spirit and intent of the Development Code.
Based on the above findings, staff recommended approval of the .exception request, subject
to the following condition:
1. The final design of the landscaping shall be subject to approval by the City staff.
A motion was made by Mr. Bertrand and seconded by Mr. Jackson to approve the exception
request, subject to the condition listed in the staff report. The motion passed by a roll call vote
of 8 in favor, 0 in opposition, and O abstaining (Aye: Bertrand, Blank, Guard, Hagedorn,
Jackson, Jones, C. Martin, N. Martin).
SUBDIVISION PLATS
2. The record plat of Blank's Second Subdivision was reviewed by the Commission. Chairman
Blank and Mr. Guard recused themselves from the discussion and vote due to a financial
conflict of interest. Ms. Catherine Walker, Hubbard Enterprises, presented the plat. She
stated that the plat creates two lots, one of which will be ;developed for a retail business. A
staff report was submitted to the Commission, which repommended approval of the plat,
subject to staffs comments being successfully addressed. A motion was made by Mr.
Bertrand and seconded by Mr. Jones to recommend approval of the record plat, subject to
staff's comments being successfully addressed. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 6 in
favor, O in opposition, and 2 abstaining (Aye: Bertrand, Hagedorn, Jackson, Jones, C. Martin,
N. Martin; Abstain: Blank, Guard).
OTHER ITEMS AND COMMUNICATION
3. Chapter 25 Amendment Regarding Billboards
Mr. Shrimplin requested that the Commission table the Chapter 25 Amendment Regarding
Billboards due to additional changes that need to be incorporated into the draft. A motion was
made by Mr. Bertrand and seconded by Mr. Jackson to: table the Chapter 25 Amendment
Regarding Billboards. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
Election of Officers
The Commission held its annual election of officers. A motion was made by Mr. Guard and
seconded by Mr. Jackson to elect Mr. Nick Martin as Chairman, Mr. Bertrand as Vice Chairman,
and Mr. Chris Martin as Secretary. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
Commission Communication
None of the Commission members had any communication items .
Staff Communication
Mr. Shrimplin gave the following updates :
City of Cape Girardeau
Planning & Zoning Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 14 , 2026
Page 3 of 3
1. Update on items from previous Commiss ion meetings going on to City Council
The City Council approved the following on December 15 , 2025:
• 825 South Ellis Street Rezoning - 2
nd & 3rd Readings
• Stone and Story Subdivision Record Plat - 1
st Reading
The City Council approved the following on January 5, 2026:
• Stone and Story Subdivision Record Plat - 2
nd & 3rd Readings
Adjournment
There being no further business , the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at
5:42 p.m. upon a motion made by Mr. Bertrand and seconded by Mr. Guard.
Respectfully submitted , u~/0
Chris Martin , Secretary