Chester council gives first reading to traffic-calming ordinance

The City Council of Chester gave first reading Wednesday to an ordinance to create Article 5-13 of the city code, establishing criteria and guidelines for installing traffic-calming measures on city-owned roadways.

The ordinance, read into the record by the city clerk, says the rules are “specifically designed to reduce the speed, but not necessarily the volume of motor vehicle traffic in residential areas,” and that the measures are not intended “to move traffic to adjoining roadways.” The reading was passed unanimously by the council members present.

Deputy Mayor West told the council there was “a presentation made last week by the public works director,” and that council and staff had implemented some changes after that meeting. “Everyone is now in agreement with it,” West said during the discussion introducing the bill for first reading. The reading was advanced by motion and second and recorded as a first reading only.

The ordinance language also directs enforcement and education activities by the Chester Police Department. The first-reading vote was recorded as yes from Gibson Williams, Davis and Deputy Mayor West. The clerk noted the action was the first reading; final adoption would require subsequent readings or action in a later meeting.

The council did not adopt the ordinance in full at the meeting; the first reading moves the measure forward for further consideration and possible final vote at a later date. The clerk and council did not provide a final enactment date during the session.