Agenda for October 2, 2025 7pm City Council Meeting

The Engineering Division plays a crucial role in managing and inspecting the City's right-of-way and overseeing capital improvement projects for sidewalks, roads, and bridges. This division also supports the Building and Planning & Zoning Divisions by reviewing plans and conducting inspections for public improvements related to private developments. We are located on the lower level of City Hall at 139 S Kirkwood Rd, 63122.

Visit the Engineering Division if you need information related to:

• Driveway Permits
• Excavation Permits
• Parking Lot Permits (requiring site plan review by the Planning & Zoning Division)
• Grading Permits
• Vacation Procedures for Public Streets & Easements

Or call us at 314-822-5822

Click Here for Standard Specs of Street Construction

Click Here to view City Maps

To report hazardous sidewalks, roadway maintenance issues, or have traffic concerns using KirkwoodKonnect.

For concerns related to MoDOT maintained routes such as Kirkwood Road and Manchester Road, contact MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT.

Issues with St. Louis County maintained routes, including Adams Avenue and Big Bend Road, can be reported to the St. Louis County Department of Transportation at 314-615-8535.

For utility locates, Missouri One-Call manages these requests, and residents can perform a ticket search to find more information about the utility markings on their property. Call 8-1-1 or visit Missouri811 to place a locate request.

Use our new portal to apply for a permit

Driveway Permit Excavation Permit Parking Lot Permit (requires site plan review by the Planning & Zoning Division.) Grading Permit Vacation Procedures for Public Streets & Easements

Inspections for all BMPs, Driveway, Excavation, Forestry, Grading, and Parking Lot permits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance by scheduling through our Kirkwood Submittal Portal. 

When requesting inspections, please be aware that you are REQUESTING a specific date and time. This REQUEST is not guaranteed, and you will need to check your portal to see the final SCHEDULED date and time, which depends on inspector availability. Additionally, NO inspections are conducted on Thursdays, as inspectors use this day to work on other projects throughout the City of Kirkwood.

The Street Code Issues Team (SCIT) is a collaborative group composed of key City personnel, including the City Engineer, Community Services Officer, and Traffic Division Supervisor. This team operates under the guidance of the Police Chief and the Public Services Director, ensuring comprehensive oversight. According to City Ordinance, the City Engineer serves as the City Traffic Engineer, responsible for determining the appropriate placement and installation of traffic control devices throughout Kirkwood.

SCIT convenes regularly, typically on a monthly basis during standard working hours. After each meeting, reports and recommendations are made available to the public on this platform.

To facilitate an accurate assessment of requests by the Street Code Issues Team, please ensure you complete the relevant form for your specific inquiry. Your participation helps us maintain and improve our city's traffic management and public safety.

• To request Speed Limit Sign, Speed Study, No Parking Sign, or Crosswalk Evaluation, fill out this form.

• To request Public Pedestrian Sidewalks, fill out this form.

• Click Here to view SCIT Reports

The City of Kirkwood is continually faced with the challenge of determining how to provide for the long-term rehabilitation and maintenance of our streets.  In 2015, the City completed a study of the street network's pavement condition in an effort to raise the condition of our streets to an acceptable level of service. The final report was published in July 2015. The City now implements pavement preservation techniques to extend the service life of its pavements before they are in need of substantial rehabilitation.

In 2022, the City conducted a comprehensive condition survey of its streets using AI technology. To assess all City-owned streets in Kirkwood, all streets were driven with video while AI software analyzed the footage to identify potholes, cracks, and pavement patches.

In 2024, all Kirkwood City-owned streets were driven again to get updated pavement conditions. Streets in Kirkwood were driven with video and were assessed by advanced AI software to identify potholes, cracking, and street patches. To view the condition rating (Pavement Condition Index, PCI) of your street, click here. 

Street Projects are selected by the Engineering Department. The Engineering Department selects streets to resurface in the previous fall to be completed in the following year typically in summer while school is out. The following criteria is used to select streets:

1. Street Condition

2. Proximity to School or Park

3. Amount of Traffic on Street

Since the start of the program, we have resurfaced more than 180 streets and invested almost $18 million to improve streets with asphalt resurfacing and concrete street and slab replacements.  

Completed Street Projects 2021 to 2024 (Click on map graphic to enlarge):

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Completed Street Projects 2015 to 2020 (Click on map graphic to enlarge):

A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, or PHB, is a traffic signal used at mid-block crosswalks or intersections to provide a safer crossing for pedestrians. Also referred to as HAWK signal, a PHB differs from a pre-timed traffic signal or flashing beacon because it remains inactive or "dark" until activated by a pedestrian. This can help increase driver attention to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and can reduce rear-end collisions. PHB’s may be implemented when an engineering study demonstrates there is a high pedestrian demand to cross a roadway without enough adequate traffic gaps to safely cross. View, print or share this PHB Flyer with your friends and neighbors.

Locations in Kirkwood:

• Kirkwood Road, near Hollywood Lane
• Geyer Road, at Keysor Elementary School
• Craig and Craigwoods
   

Benefits of PHBs

• 69 percent reduction in pedestrian crashes and 29 percent reduction in total crashes
• Reduces dangerous driver violations at pedestrian crossings
• Reduces the amount of rear-end vehicle crashes when compared to traditional traffic signals
• Reduces the amount of driver delay experienced at traditional traffic signals by as much as 50 percent, while still providing a clear indication to stop for pedestrians.
• Provides an option for a signalized pedestrian crossing when a traffic signal is not warranted

PHB Operation

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB's)

The City of Kirkwood has 2 locations of RRFB's that are typically warranted on cross walks with higher pedestrian volumes, but with a lower amount of vehicle traffic. 

Locations in Kirkwood:

• Clinton & Filmore near Fillmore Park
• S Geyer at Windsor Lane
• North Geyer at Jefferson
• South Geyer at Nirk

Click here for more information about PHBs.

This is the FINAL Citywide Stormwater Master Plan, developed by HR Green, identifies and prioritizes municipal stormwater issues for future consideration. The plan provides the city and design professionals with analytical tools to address stormwater challenges better, manage runoff, and support improved stormwater design throughout the community.

Please note: City Council must approve any code or ordinance change recommendations.

Final Kirkwood Citywide Stormwater Master Plan - Intro

Appendix A - Storm System Ownership Maps

Appendix B - MSD-Studied Stormwater Projects in Kirkwood

Appendix C - Preliminary Flood Hazard Maps

Appendix D - Flow Path and Watershed Maps

Appendix E - Stream Buffer Maps

Appendix F - Public Outreach Materials

Appendix G - Questionnaire Responses

Appendix H - Summary of Questionnaire Responses

Appendix  I - Problem Investigative Material

Appendix J - Capital Improvement Project Workbooks

Appendix K - Road Drainage Projects Map

Appendix L - Stormwater Code Review Memo

Stormwater Concerns 

For many years the City of Kirkwood has been a popular community for residential and commercial development in the St. Louis area. Land development permanently alters the way in which stormwater flows across a site due to grading, compaction, and the installation of impervious cover. In an attempt to reduce these impacts, the City of Kirkwood requires stormwater management measures be utilized on major development projects in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 5, Article VI Infill Development Storm Water Management. These regulations are in addition to the requirements of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD). 

These measures aim to reduce the amount of runoff created by development through Green Infrastructure, also known as  stormwater BMPs. The City acknowledges these regulations will not solve all stormwater related issues within the City; however, this is a reasonable effort to reduce impacts of development on stormwater.

Applicable projects meeting or exceeding the thresholds for impervious area in the ordinance will be required to provide stormwater BMPs to treat the increased runoff.  The City has developed a guidance manual to assist property owners with selecting, sizing, and locating the necessary BMPs, as well as standard details for installation.  For more information about the regulations, please contact Assistant City Engineer Jennifer Brown at 314-822-5846 or search the sections below.

• Applicable Projects
• MSD Review
• Stormwater Management Requirements
• Inspections
• Fees and Escrows
• Stormwater Guidance Manual and Checklists
• Sump Pump

Applicable Projects

Regulated Infill Development subject to review for stormwater management in accordance with Chapter 5, Article VI Infill Development Storm Water Management include, but is not limited to:

• New Construction and Redevelopment
• Building Additions
• Accessory Structures
• Swimming Pools
• Driveway Expansions or Addition

MSD Review

All commercial and multi-family projects or any project disturbing 1 acre or more are required to submit development plans to the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD). The City may also require MSD review of residential projects with any of the following conditions. 

MSD Conditions for Review 

Stormwater Management Requirements 

Regulated Infill Development with the following conditions is required to provide stormwater management techniques in compliance with Chapter 5, Article VI Infill Development Storm Water Management:

1. Developments creating 1,000 square feet or more of net additional impervious area.
2. Developments causing the total impervious area on a lot to be greater than 25% of the total lot area.

Projects that require stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) mandated by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are not subject to the aforementioned requirements. However, projects that require stormwater BMPs by the City of Kirkwood must record a notarized BMP Maintenance Agreement along with the approved site plan at the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds office.

After receiving approved and stamped plans from the City, you must schedule an appointment with the City to have the City of Kirkwood's section of the Maintenance Agreement notarized. This can be arranged by emailing Schultjm@kirkwoodmo.org or by calling Jill Potts at 314.822.5822. Please note that walk-in appointments are no longer accepted.

Inspections

Once the City has a copy of the Recorded BMP Maintenance Agreement on file, the City will inspect the BMP's during construction and provide maintenance inspections at the following intervals:

• 1 year post construction
• Every 3 years
• At change of occupancy

Maintenance of the BMPs is the responsibility of the property owner.

Fees and Escrows

No additional permit fees are required. A $1,000 construction deposit is required for projects that don't require the $5,000 site restoration deposit. The 2023 manual is being applied to all permit reviews received (dated) after November 21, 2023. The 2022 Guidance Manual has been archived below.

Stormwater Guidance Manual and Checklists

The City has developed the following manuals and checklists to aid property owners in the design, installation and maintenance of required stormwater BMPs. The 2023 Guidance Manual is being applied to all permit reviews received (dated) after November 21, 2023. The 2022 Guidance Manual has been archived below.

• Stormwater Management Guidance Manual Complete Manual
  • Cover Page
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • Dry Wells
  • Vegetated Filter Strips
  • Modified French Drain
  • Permeable Pavers
  • Rain Garden
  • Existing Tree Credit
  • Appendix A - Infiltration Testing
  • Appendix B - Recommended Plantings
  • Appendix C - Flow Area Calculation
  • Appendix D - Underdrains
  • Appendix E - Pre-treatment
  • Appendix F - Ordinance
  • Appendix G - Stormwater Review Process
  • Appendix H - Stormwater Pollution Prevention for Small Residential Construction Sites
• BMP Maintenance Agreement
• Maintenance and Inspection Checklists
• Site Plan Development Checklist
• Site Plan Review and Permitting Process Flowchart 

Sump Pumps

All projects which include the installation of sump pumps or existing sump pumps with discharges causing a nuisance per Chapter 16 Section 2 of the Kirkwood Code of Ordinances must discharge to one of the following BMPs per the Infill Development Storm Water Guidance Document:

1. Drywell sized to treat a minimum of 175 square feet of contributing  drainage area and located a minimum of 10’ from any property line, or
2. Vegetated filter strip sized to treat a minimum of 175 square feet of contributing drainage area and sump pump discharge located a minimum of 20’ from any property line

These are minimum requirements and property owners are encouraged to engage professionals to adequately size their systems. If a nuisance develops or continues to exist, the homeowner will be required to correct the issue.

Updated: September 15, 2025

EnVision Kirkwood 2035 Comprehensive Plan, Action Step 3.B.1. recommends evaluating and updating current criteria and creating a procedure for the implementation of appropriate traffic calming techniques within the City. Kirkwood’s residents stated their expectations for streets to be pedestrian–oriented and safe. Traffic Calming is one tool the City may employ to meet these expectations.

General Questions:  Call Jill Potts at 314.822.5822 

To schedule inspections for Engineering (Driveway, Excavations, Right-of-Way, Grading & Parking Lot) or Forestry (Tree Protection for Demolition, New Construction & Final) please use the Kirkwood Submittal Portal. 

Rick Holesinger, PE - City Engineer, (314) 822-5819 | holesire@kirkwoodmo.org

Jennifer Brown, PE - Assistant City Engineer, (314) 822-5846 | brownjd@kirkwoodmo.org

Jamal Dillahunt - Project Engineer, (314) 822-5821 | dillahjl@kirkwoodmo.org

Brandon Sly - Urban Forester, (314) 984-5954 | slybm@kirkwoodmo.org

Jill Potts - Administrative Assistant to the Director of Public Services & Engineering, (314) 822-5822 | Schultjm@kirkwoodmo.org