West Newsmagazine 11-29-23

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14 I NEWS I November 29, 2023 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Wildwood to ease some restrictions on rough stretch of Hwy. 100 Hwy. 100 between Route T (St. Albans Road) and the Franklin County line (Source: City Of Wildwood) spend your holidays with us discoverstcharles.com By CATHY LENNY In an unusual approach to promote safety, the city of Wildwood plans to ease traffic code enforcement on a stretch of Hwy. 100 until road improvements are made. The temporary suspension of enforcement and prosecution applies only to certain traffic code provisions, such as drivers diverting from their lane to avoid road hazards, on the section of road between Route T (St. Albans Road) and the Franklin County line. Recently, the city’s public works department conducted an assessment of that portion of the road and documented poor conditions, such as potholes and loose debris, that pose significant hazards to motorists. Although the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) plans to address the deteriorating condition of the road, construction work is not expected to begin until 2025. “This delay poses a significant risk to the safety of our residents and visitors who traverse this route regularly,” Rick Brown, director of public works, told the city council at its Nov. 13 meeting. The council ultimately passed the resolution authorizing the Wildwood Police to employ discretion in enforcing certain sections of the traffic code. The resolution also encourages the city’s prosecuting attorney to exercise discretion when reviewing violations on that particular portion of the road. “For some time, lengthy sections of pavement containing outer boundary lines have been missing and deteriorated pavement in the roadway has to be avoided,” Mayor Jim Bowlin said. “Wildwood has recently spent – or has commitments to spend – nearly $7 million of our taxpayer dollars for costshare projects on roads in Wildwood that are MoDOT’s sole responsibility. We may need to rethink this approach.” The council also passed a resolution encouraging St. Louis County to implement improvements to Old State Road and to restrict large trucks from using the road between Hwy. 109 and Old Fairway Drive. According to Bowlin, that portion of Old State has sharp horizontal curves, insufficient sight distance, lacks adequate stormwater drainage and shoulders, and does not allow for the safe passage of pedestrians and bicyclists. To improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, the city obtained federal funding in 2021 and plans to construct a shared-use path between Old State Place and Nantucket Island Drive beginning in 2024. However, some residents don’t believe the city has done enough in regard to speeding traffic and the safety of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists on Old State. James Vanek, of Citizens for A Safer Old State, has been pushing for safety along Old State since his son was hit while riding his bicycle in 2021. He calls Old State the most dangerous road in Wildwood. “In our ward, we have a serious safety issue that’s being mostly ignored by the city council and by the county,” he said. (Old State is) steep, it’s heavily traveled, it has sharp corners, has no shoulders, no guard rails and sharp drop-offs. Nobody seems too concerned about that issue.” He questions why the city agreed to spend $1.5 million for J-turns on Hwy. 100 at Pond Road and Route T. All the money goes to the west side of town, he said. Council member Lauren Edens (Ward 2) responded that the J-turn improvement project will be done through a cost-share program with the state. “We’ve repeatedly asked county officials to address our residents’ concerns and shouldered nearly 40% of the cost of a recent safety improvement, along with fully funding a shared-use path,” Bowlin said. “Some of the requested items have minimal cost, and the county should be more responsive to these concerns.”
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Solar panels approved in Wildwood with specific regulations November 29, 2023 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I NEWS I 15 By CATHY LENNY Regulations regarding solar panel systems were finally approved in Wildwood. Solar energy systems will be permitted as an accessory use to single-family and twofamily dwellings in all zoning districts in the city. After numerous requests for conditional use permits to install front-facing solar panels on rooftops were received, a number of public hearings were held on their use. Residents spoke out both in favor and against them. A survey was taken, which found that the majority of residents are not opposed to front-facing solar panels. Under the proposal, front-facing panels will be allowed. However, there are a number of regulations that must be followed. non-functional, it must be removed. Integrated solar energy systems, which are seamlessly integrated into the building, must complement the building materials and architectural design of the principal structure, including the color. Ground-mounted solar energy systems are prohibited. Frances Babb, an ardent supporter of solar energy, believes it is still an “overly restrictive ordinance.” Referring to her own top-of-the-line solar system, she said, “If I had to apply every single aspect of your ordinance to my house and start ripping off panels in order to be compliant with it, I wouldn’t be owning a Lamborghini.” Babb suggests offering variances for residents who want ground-mounted systems and allowing panels on accessory structures. Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center the 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month. “If I had to apply every single aspect of your ordinance to my house and start ripping off panels in order to be compliant with it, I wouldn’t be owning a Lamborghini.” – Frances Babb Prior to installation, modification, removal, or disposal of any solar energy system, a permit application must be submitted to the Department of Planning. The removal of woodlands to accommodate access to the sun for an existing or proposed solar energy system should be minimized and comply with all city ordinances and regulations. Removal of any “Grand Tree,” will only be authorized by a permit issued by the department and the restoration of its loss must occur on the property. When located on a sloped roof, building-mounted solar energy collectors must be positioned in a symmetrical fashion, centered on the plane of the roof, installed parallel to the roof slope, and not projected vertically above the peak of the sloped roof. All wiring associated with a solar energy system must be routed underground or contained within a raceway that complements the building materials and architectural design of the principal structure. Solar energy collectors must show reflectivity of less than 30% or placed so that concentrated sunlight or glare will not be directed onto nearby properties or streets. Should the solar energy system become However, her main concern is requiring symmetry of panels on all sides of the home. Betsy Vanderheyden agreed. Symmetry for solar panels that face the front of the house is reasonable but making symmetry mandatory on all sides of the house is going to make it challenging for residents to get the full benefit of the panels, she said. “In some cases, the homeowner will be unable to generate the kind of power that’s needed to make the project feasible; the home would be underpowered,” she said. “That would cause a resident to not be able to get the economic benefits of solar.” Joe Vujnich, director of planning, stated that “symmetry is a key component of the new regulations.” However, he said the department intends to make reasonable judgments as to what should be largely a square or rectangular pattern. He added that the panels have to be flush mounted, no greater than 6 inches off the roof surface, have critter guards to hide the gaps, have capping support racks, and closely match the color of the shingles. The City Council gave final approval for the new regulations at the Nov. 13 meeting. Any CUP already granted will still be in effect. Always, the perfect gift! 1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood, MO 63038 passiglia@passiglia.com * 636-458-9202 Online or in Store Winter Hours Mon-Sat: 9am to 4pm * Sun: 10am to 3pm The nursery is closed during time of inclement weather
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