IRE SWIRLS OVER ROUNDABOUT

Cape Girardeau Councilman Frank Stoffregen has an idea for the newly constructed roundabout on the city's west side -- rip it out and put in a four-way intersection.

"Why would the city put in something that's a nuisance for its citizens?" Stoffregen said. "That doesn't make sense."

Councilmen said during Tuesday's City Council meeting they have received numerous complaints from residents who are frustrated by what they perceive to be unbearably tight turns in the roundabout, making it difficult for them to navigate. Others drivers complained they scuffed their tires and wheel covers on the raised, brick-looking concrete shoulder on the inside of the roundabout.

City officials vowed to look into possible modifications to the structure, which is at Gordonville and Silver Springs roads near St. Francis Medical Center. With the exception of Stoffregen, none seemed open to the idea of replacing the roundabout with a four-way intersection.

The roundabout has been under construction since May, and barricades were removed two weeks ago allowing access to drivers. The south side of the roundabout remains blocked off until contractors install new traffic signals and pour concrete at Silver Springs Road and William Street.

Speed limit in the roundabout is 15 mph. The structure is designed to swiftly move traffic through the intersection and to decrease the number of potential accidents that are prone to happen at a four-way intersection.

Councilman Richard Eggimann said he has received more complaints about the roundabout than on any other matter since he became a city official.

"I don't see anything wrong with having it, but as it is now, it does maybe need some thought about how wide the access is without having to drive on the bricks," he said. "Wouldn't it have been better if we'd had four octagonal signs saying stop?"

City Manager Michael Miller said drivers may have trouble with the roundabout because it is something new that they are not used to. He added that he had no trouble driving through the structure, but said the city will look into possible modifications.

Drury property rezoned

Councilmen also approved rezoning property at the northeast quadrant of Interstate 55 and Highway 34 and U.S. 61 for commercial use. The property is owned by the Drury family's Midamerica Hotels Corp.

The three other quadrants at the intersection already are zoned commercial. Midamerica generally stated in its application that development on the property will include businesses such as "hotels, restaurants, convenience store, professional and medical offices, banking and retail consisting of large box and specialty stores."

Bob Hahn, vice president for development at Midamerica, said there are no specific plans in place yet for the property and that the rezoning was necessary to proceed with short- and long-term development plans.

He added that any development in the area likely will benefit the nearby Missouri Veterans Home and the proposed $4.7 million Missouri Department of Conservation nature center in Cape Girardeau County Park North.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN

Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Consent ordinances

(second and third readings)

• Approved accepting easements and temporary construction easements from property owners for the Cape Rock Drive water main extension project.
• Approved the plat of Ten Mile High Subdivision.
• Approved the plat of Arnold First Townhouses.
• Authorized a third supplemental lease agreement with the Cape Girardeau Public Facilities Authority.
• Amended the city code by placing electric traffic control signals at Broadway Street and Clark Avenue.

New ordinances

(first reading)

• Changed zoning at Interstate 55 and Highway 34 and U.S. 61.
• Changed zoning of 200 Bellevue.
• Granted a special-use permit to Lionshead Investments and Kinder and Maurer Developments for townhouses in the 2900 to 3000 block of Beavercreek Drive.
• Amended the city code about front yards.
• Accepted a general warranty deed, permanent drainage easements, a permanent storm sewer easement and temporary construction easements from various property owners for the New Madrid Street improvement project.
• Accepted temporary construction easement from Jerry R. and Phyllis J. Schwab for the widening of Rodney Street and replacement of the bridge over Cape La Croix Creek.
• Approved the record plat of Ten Mile High Second Subdivision.
• Amended the city code by repealing stop signs on Clark and Broadway.
• Amended the city code relating to parking on Pacific Street between Normal Avenue and Alta Vista Drive.

Resolutions

• Executed an agreement with Southeast Missouri State University for an historic structure inventory.
• Executed Amendment No. 1 to an agreement for engineering services with Strickland Engineering for the Southern Expressway extension from South Kingshighway to Silver Springs Road.
• Authorized the submission of an application for designation of the Cape Girardeau and Scott City enterprise zone for an additional seven years to expire Dec. 3, 2008.
• Adopted the fiscal 2001-2006 Capital Improvements Program.
• Executed an agreement with Nip Kelley Equipment Co. for improvements to Cape Woods Conservation Area.
• Executed Supplement No. 1 to the Airway Facilities Systems Support Center Lease.