Council raises R-4 multifamily density cap from 18 to 20 units per acre

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved first reading of Bill 2,596, amending Chapter 30 of the city code to raise the maximum density in the R-4 medium-density multifamily residential district from 18 units per acre to 20 units per acre.

City staff explained the change followed recent input from the development community seeking modest increases to make multifamily projects more financially feasible as construction costs rise. "Right now, it's 18 units per acre, and they were inquiring about maybe increasing that a little bit more," a staff presenter said, summarizing outreach and research comparing R-4 with the R-5 district, which permits 30 units per acre. Staff described the increase as a narrow narrowing of the gap between R-4 and R-5 rather than a large jump.

Councilmembers who spoke in favor described the change as a small, pragmatic adjustment that could help projects "pencil" without fundamentally altering the character of R-4 neighborhoods. One councilmember praised staff for working with developers and said the change shows responsiveness to the development community. Staff also noted another development in the permitting pipeline was contingent on the passage of the amendment.

Bill 2,596 was advanced on first reading and approved by the council; the transcript records the action as a voice vote. The ordinance changes the density cap citywide for properties zoned R-4; additional site-specific approvals would still be required for any particular project.