Planning and Zoning votes against a sidewalk for Ridgeway Cottages

The Planning and Zoning Commission knows where the sidewalk ends.

The commission voted 7-0 to recommend the city council approve a permanent five-foot sidewalk easement instead of a sidewalk for the planned Ridgeway Cottages at 315 Ridgeway Ave Thursday night. The easement would reserve that space for any future sidewalk the city may wish to build.

This comes as a victory for developer Amir Ziv, who has already gone through Planning and Zoning once to have the property re-zoned, as previously reported by the Missourian. Ziv has said he hopes to make better-quality, affordable housing in the First Ward, and the commission's decision means Ziv will not have to pay for a sidewalk.

Commissioner David Brodsky said many places in that area do not need sidewalks.

Several members of the commission  said they do not want to set the wrong precedent by providing exceptions to help developers make housing more affordable.

"I'm voting for it, but not for affordable housing," Chairman Jeff Barrow said before voting.

Earlier, in their weekly work session, the commission discussed changing their bylaws to discourage developers from submitting late zoning applications. A staff report will be written and discussed at next week's meeting.

Commissioners also discussed:

• The creation of a ratings system for the East Columbia Area Plan, so as to demarcate the order and importance of different projects
• The possible need for more funding for storm water projects
• The format of the East Columbia Area Plan infrastructure chapter

The commission canceled their regular meeting on Feb. 4 because they had no items on the agenda for that day.