ORDINANCE NO. 250911
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Sponsor: Councilmember Kevin O’Neill
Directing the City Manager to issue a traffic control permit for St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School for the closure of Walnut Street between East 40th Street and East 41st Street during school hours; and directing the City Manager to approve any permits related to traffic calming projects by St. Paul’s along the same road.
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WHEREAS, traffic calming is a combination of measures that aim to balance traffic on streets by altering behavior of motor vehicle drivers and improving conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists by utilizing techniques to lessen the impact of motor vehicle traffic by slowing it down or “calming” it; and
WHEREAS, traffic calming strategies often include changes to the streets including speed bumps and lane narrowing; using planters, bollards and other removable barriers; eliminating or adding parking or installing sidewalk extensions or similar structures with temporary materials; and including visual enhancements like painting lines, colors and patterns as well as adding trees, flowers and other amenities; and
WHEREAS, the City supports these traffic calming projects as they can improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists at intersections; can aid in reducing traffic speed and motor-vehicle collisions; can increase pedestrian and bicycling activity; and adds aesthetic enhancements and improves visibility;
WHEREAS, the subject section of Walnut Street between East 40th Street and East 41st Street currently only allows one-way traffic north to south; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School maintains educational facilities on both sides of Walnut Street in the subject section; and
WHEREAS, allowing closure of Walnut Street between East 40th Street and East 41st Street during school hours will improve safety for the students, faculty, staff and community of St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School and additional traffic calming measures will improve safety for the all residents during afterhours and the weekends; and
WHEREAS, the project will be fully funded and maintained by St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School; and
WHEREAS, the City will further support the projects and maintain public safety through ensuring the locations and paint colors selected do not impede with other street markings intended for traffic control and that the additions of planters and other installations are in conformance with City regulations; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the City Manager is directed to issue a traffic control permit for St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School for the temporary closure of Walnut Street between 40th Street and 41st Street during school hours for the 2025-2026 school year.
Section 2. That the City Manager is directed to approve any needed permits related to the design and locations of traffic calming projects along the road so long as they do not impede with other street markings, traffic controls or public safety.
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Approved as to form:
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Dustin E. Johnson
Associate City Attorney