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Council amends sidewalk code; Bill 11064 passes first reading after change to waiver language
Summary
The Kirkwood City Council approved the first reading of Bill 11064 after amending language to let the director of public services waive certain sidewalk requirements. The change preserves requirements tied to large redevelopments but removes the limited list of conditions the director must consider when granting a waiver.
The Kirkwood City Council approved the first reading of Bill 11064 on an amended motion that permits the director of public services to waive certain sidewalk requirements.
The ordinance amends the municipal code, chapter 25 (zoning and subdivision), section 25-69(a)(2)(ii)(a), which governs when sidewalks must be installed for development not part of a subdivision. The amendment preserves the existing requirement that a redevelopment or expansion equal to 100% of an existing building still triggers a sidewalk requirement, but it revises the waiver clause to read, in part, “The director of public services may waive the sidewalk requirement of this section.” Council member Schaeffer proposed the change and framed it as aligning city staff discretion with the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.
Why it matters: the change reduces the set of specified conditions the director must consider before granting a waiver, giving the director broader discretion when deciding whether a sidewalk is required for private development. Supporters said the amendment follows Planning and Zoning’s guidance and allows staff flexibility; critics and public commenters warned the change could weaken protections against overdevelopment and reduce pedestrian connectivity.
Public comment: Kara Wirtz, a former council member and resident, urged the council to keep the existing sidewalk requirement intact. “I urge you to vote down Bill 11064 and maintain even the smallest protections against overdevelopment while promoting a connective and walkable community,” Wirtz said during public comment, citing concerns about runoff, loss of green space and walkability.
Council debate and context: Council members referenced a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation that had opposed removing the sidewalk obligation. The preserved language keeps the trigger for sidewalks when a principal building is demolished and replaced or expanded by 100% of its floor area. Council members also discussed the unresolved question of who pays for sidewalks and the costs and impacts to property owners, including removal of trees in the right-of-way.
Action and next steps: The council voted to approve Bill 11064 on first reading as amended. Council members said the item will return for a subsequent reading where final passage may be considered.
Quotes in context: Council member Schaeffer said during the amendment explanation, “The director of public services may waive the sidewalk requirement of this section,” describing the expanded discretion. Kara Wirtz urged retention of sidewalk protections, saying the requirement helps “promote a connective and walkable community.”
The ordinance amends municipal code language related to sidewalks; the council did not set an implementation timeline during the meeting, and additional hearings or votes were implied at later meetings.
