A bill to remove certain residential uses from the professional office (O-1) zone failed to pass at the Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting June 4.
Residents of the Broad-ridge Subdivision had requested a change in the zoning ordinance to prevent apartments from being built on property that is zoned O-1 at Broadridge and Independence (Highway D), citing traffic and safety concerns with the middle school nearby.
Various aldermen had expressed a reluctance to remove residential uses from the O-1 zoning during previous study sessions. The bill failed 6-1, with Alderman David Hitt being its sole supporter.
In other action:
• Abandonment of East Jefferson Street: Al Stove-rink and Barbie Gibbs from Immaculate Conception Church and School spoke in favor of their request for the City to abandon East Jef-ferson Street between the church and school.
Currently, anyone parking in the school parking lot must walk across Jefferson Street to get to the church. This includes I-C students. Closing the street will make it safer for pedestrians using the parking lot to access the church building.
No one spoke in opposition to the abandonment.
• RV parking: During study session, the Board seemed to find a solution it liked to the question of RV parking on city streets.
City Attorney Tom Ludwig said in the past, he had tried to modify an already existing ordinance that regulated trailer parking, and nothing seemed to work. Instead, he came up with a new ordinance which allows RV parking on streets unless someone complains that the RV restricts the free flow of traffic or residents feel that ingress and egress to their driveways are impaired by the RV parking on the street. Other parking restrictions will remain as they are.
Residents who think an RV is blocking free flow of traffic on their street or impairs the use of their driveway will be able to call the police. If the violation is obvious and clearly obstructing the free flow of traffic, the officer may write a ticket immediately. If the situation is questionable, the officer may consult with the city attorney before writing a ticket.
• Water system project: The Board approved a change order of $96,843.21 to Jokerst, Inc. of Ste. Genevieve for its work on the Water System Facility Implementation Project.
• South Old Orchard Road: The Board approved a change order of $9,325 to Vern Bauman Contracting Co. of Ste. Genevieve for its work on the South Old Orchard Road Realignment Project.
• Paving: The Board accepted the $255,821.80 bid of Jokerst, Inc., of Ste. Genevieve for its work relative to the 2018 Asphalt Pavement Improvement Plan.
• South Donna Drive: The Board added South Donna Drive to the “Stop Street Designation Schedule” and amended the “Flashing Signals Schedule” by repealing and adding designations at the intersection of East Jackson Boulevard and Donna Drive. Donna Drive will continue past Jackson Tire and intersect Kimbel lane with a stop sign. The stoplight at Donna and East Jackson Boulevard will become official as the city acquires the right-of-way on which it sits.
• Software: The Board was updated on software improvements that City departments are using to handle interaction with customers.
• Old McKendree Chapel: Old McKendree Chapel and Cemetery at 4080 Bainbridge Road has requested that the entire property be designated an historic landmark. The Board will consider the request at the June 18 meeting.
• Stormwater: The Board was updated on the separate storm sewer system permit program. Consultant H.R. Green has “knocked down procedural changes greatly” after meeting with the Department of Natural Resources regarding its audit, said City Engineer Clint Brown. Procedural changes are costly to the city because they are labor intensive. Document changes are easier to make.
• Water tower: The Board was told it would cost $10,000-$12,000 to change the lettering on the east elevated water tower near I-55 and East Jackson Boulevard, to make the font similar to other water towers. This will be done as the tower is repainted.
• East Main/Oak Hill intersection: The Board was given cost estimates for putting traffic signals at East Main Street and Oak Hill Road. If the intersection remains skewed as it is, the cost will be 300,000. If the Board decides to have the streets altered so they meet at right angles (removing the skew), then the cost would be $475,000, not including the cost of property acquisition.
• I-55 Intersection: Mayor Dwain Hahs updated the Board on ongoing discussions with MoDOT regarding additional right-in, right-out intersections requested by the City on East Jackson Boulevard between Old Orchard Road and I-55 after the new I-55 interchange is completed. There has been discussion about allowing u-turns at the Old Orchard Road traffic signal and moving the outer roads.
