P&Z DISCUSSES SIDEWALKS

In October, orthodontist David Crowe went before the Cape Girardeau City Council to ask that it require sidewalks in the Forest Hills subdivision of North Sprigg Street. He said children in the subdivision would be walking to a planned public school and would need the sidewalks for safety.

After his speech, the developer, Harold Holigan, agreed to put sidewalks in Forest Hills and the City Council decided to ask the city staff to study whether or when the city should require sidewalks in new subdivisions.

Since then the city staff drafted a proposed ordinance that would require developers to build sidewalks on all new subdivision lots of less than three acres. Sidewalks do not have to follow along streets, and developers can apply to the city for variances.

In March, the city staff mailed copies of the proposed ordinance to 298 area businesses in the construction industry. Included was an invitation to a public hearing about the proposal. It was held Wednesday night before the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Two developers showed up, as did Crowe. Developer Keith Deimund expressed support for sidewalks in subdivisions, but with reservations.

Deimund said it didn't make sense for sidewalks to be required on quiet residential streets when the busier collector streets they lead to have none. He said that partially completed subdivisions which already have houses without sidewalks shouldn't be required to install sidewalks in the newer sections.

Developer Stephen Strom said he supported the proposal, and he expected that the city would grant him a variance if he asked for it under those circumstances.

Crowe said his interest in sidewalks began when he was in third grade at Franklin School. "A friend of mine was walking home from Mark Kasten's house from a Cub Scout meeting when he stepped off the sidewalk at West End, where it ended, and was hit by and car and killed."

"Sidewalks are one way this community can distinguish itself from other communities and lead the way," Crowe said. "People with small children will look for neighborhoods like this."

The commission took no action. Chairman R. J. McKinney said the commission should study the matter further. Member Dennis Vollink said Union Electric and TCI are interested in changing where utility lines are located, and he would like to coordinate a sidewalk ordinance with any changes in utility easements.