The Kirkwood City Council on Aug. 7 unanimously approved substitute bill 11084, an ordinance that adds no‑parking zones and school‑drop‑off restrictions on West Jewell Avenue aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety near Kirkwood High School and Kaiser Elementary.

The ordinance, as read into the record by staff, amends the Kirkwood Code of Ordinances (Chapter 14, Article 8) to add no parking on the north and west sides of the 700 block west to the end of the cul‑de‑sac, to designate no parking between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the south and east sides of West Jewell Avenue from Geyer Road to 754 West Jewell Avenue on days when public schools are in session, and to prohibit stopping, standing and parking for school drop‑off and pick‑up on the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of West Jewell Avenue and the intersection of West Jewell Avenue and Geyer Road.

The measure grew out of sustained neighborhood complaints about vehicles lining the street during morning drop‑off and parents parking in locations that left drivers and pedestrians with limited sight lines. Residents who addressed the council said the changes were overdue. Sharon Johnston, a West Jewell resident who said school staff and the school district participated in a special committee, said, "These changes ... will significantly improve the safety on West Jewel." Jennifer Sigman, who said she has lived on West Jewell for 13 years, described repeated close calls for children and said, "I have seen kids dart out between cars so many times."

Council members and staff said the ordinance reflects a compromise reached with the Kirkwood School District and neighborhood representatives. City staff said the district's representatives — including the schools' CFO and principals — attended special meetings and would communicate the new traffic patterns to families once the ordinance took effect. Council member McLean thanked residents for their persistence, saying, "persistence pays off." Council member Schaeffer emphasized the safety rationale, adding that the measure "is an issue we're trying to address and this is going to address it."

Roll call on the substitute bill recorded unanimous approval: Deputy Mayor Mark Zimmer (yes); Council member Lizzo (yes); Council member McClain/McLean (yes); Council member Reinecker (yes); Council member Schaeffer (yes); Council member Jack Sedick (yes). The ordinance was declared passed at the meeting's roll call.

The council and staff said the school district will help notify parents and students of the new restrictions before the start of the school year. The city noted maps and revised signage would follow to ensure drivers can clearly see the new parking and drop‑off rules.