Cape council to consider several traffic ordinances

Traffic will drive much of the agenda today for the Cape Girardeau City Council as it hears first readings of ordinances affecting everything from speed limits to stoplights.

Among the measures is a previously discussed change to speed limits along Kingshighway, where a Missouri Department of Transportation study looked at "hot spots" identified by local business owners.

The ordinance would establish 55 mph zones from Interstate 55 exit 99 to Boulder Crest Drive and from Gerhardt Street to I-55 exit 93; 45 mph zones from Boulder Crest Drive to Cape Rock Drive and from Good Hope Street to Gerhardt Street; and 35 mph zones from Cape Rock Drive to Good Hope Street.

Also on the agenda is the first reading of an ordinance authorizing city manager Scott Meyer to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to perform a traffic study and design and install traffic improvements at the intersection of Independence Street and Gordonville Road.

Under the agreement, Surface Transportation Fund monies would pick up 80 percent of the tab for the project, with the city providing a 20 percent match.

New traffic signals on William Street and Broadway prompted a third traffic-related ordinance, this one modifying the traffic portion of the city code to include the stoplights at the intersection of William Street and Sheridan Drive and at the intersection of Broadway and Henderson Avenue.

Also on first reading Monday are ordinances to:

* Rezone properties at 301 and 305 Mill St.; 890 S. Kings-highway; 902 S. Kingshighway; and Silver Springs Road and Shamrock Circle.

* Authorize the issuance of special tax bills for the demolition of dangerous buildings at 219 N. Middle St., 1751 Luce St., 1022 Perry Ave. and 513 William St.

* Modify the city's residential rental licensing policy. Among the changes would be a 50-cent-per-day late fee for license renewals more than 30 days overdue; a ban on renting housing units without functioning utilities; and more stringent requirements for heating appliances and plumbing systems.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo. .