Florissant City Council Considering Lower Speed Limit on Howdershell

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council had a fairly busy agenda Monday night, with a special presentation, two public hearings, and some requests and first readings.
The first presentation was about a speed study done on Howdershell/Shackelford Road. It was presented by Ryan Peirce, Traffic Operations Manager from the St. Louis County Department of Transportation.
Pierce said the reason they studied this section was because it has five speed limit changes in six miles. “The shortest zone is only half a mile,” he said. “This can cause confusion,” he added. “We know that people aren’t’ driving what the speed is posted.”
Pierce said that the study used methodology that is industry standard. They look for a starting point for a uniform speed limit that is safe and will be obeyed by the majority of motorists, he said.
“We determined that the most appropriate speed limit is a uniform 40 mph from Knollwood to New Halls Ferry,” Pierce said. This section already includes two 40 mph sections, he said.
The uniform limit makes it easier to time lights, Pierce said. He added that there are school speed zones in the area, in 30 mph zones. They do not mark school zones in 30 mph zones, but they would in 40 mph, he added.
“I’m not against a uniform speed, but 40 mph is ridiculous,” said Councilman Joe Eagan. He pointed out that there are several areas where people cross, near schools and Koch Park. He added that he was hit by a car while jogging in that area. “I would like to see a top speed of 30 mph,” he said.
“I’m very concerned about a 40mph speed limit,” said Councilman Paul Manganelli. He said that other streets in the city with that limit are straighter and wider roads. There are curves, hills, and several side streets on Howdershell/Shackelford, he said.
Councilman Robert Parson said that “in my experience, people will push it. They’ll drive above the speed limit.”
Councilman Andrew Harris said that he thought 40 mph was too high. He suggested that they start at 35 mph and then study again. “Incremental change on the lower end might be a better bet,” he said.
Mayor Timothy Lowery said he would support the 35 mph, but not the 40 mph. Patterson is 35 mph and it is a similar road, he said. He said he also wanted to point that there are several residences along that stretch of street.
The council then held a public hearing regarding a request to subdivide property at 3170 N. Hwy. 67. Club Carwash wants to divide a part of the old Lowe’s property carwash. No one spoke in opposition and the council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the subdivision.
The second public hearing was about alterations of a ground sign at 490 Howdershell (the shopping center between Flordawn and Keeven Ln.) The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P and Z) recommended denial. Adrian Allen, speaking for the business, said the sign had changed after the denial to include the P and Z’s concerns.
Eagan said he didn’t feel that he could commit to changes because he did not have minutes from the P and Z meeting.
City Building Commissioner Phil Lum spoke to the council. One concern the commission said, was the encroachment towards Howdershell Road. Another concern was where the name was located. Lum said they will consider changes.
In other action, the council:
• Passed a bill that allows the rezoning of property at 2895 N. Hwy 67. This is the site of the 54th Street Grill, which will be torn down for the bank branch.
• Passed a bill approving an amendment to the Community Development Block Grant 2019 Annual Action Plan for the city to include funding from the Cares Act to prevent, prepare for and/or respond to Covid-19 and authorizing the mayor to submit the plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The council then passed a bill amending the original grant allocation.
• Approved a request for a beer and wine license for House of Jollof at 503 Paul Avenue.

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