12/15/03
Jordan Way to re-open for High
School access tomorrow
Jordan Way will be open for High School drop-off traffic tomorrow.
The Town Council met at 7:30 a.m. today and voted 6-0 to adopt an emergency
ordinance that would effectively open Jordan Way school mornings for access
to the High School.
Jorday Way provides access to the Police Department and Town Center Fire
Station, but is normally closed to through traffic to the school complex.
Last spring Jordan Way was opened to through traffic mornings to help alleviate
drop-off traffic at the High School entrance off of Ocean House Road. Beginning
Dec. 1, however, the access was closed because Public Safety officials
anticipated that snow piled at the end of the road would hamper
visibility.
The council passed the ordinance as an emergency measure pending the School
Deparment's application to the Planning Board for site improvements as part
of a $7.9 million renovations recently approved by voters.
(Click here for news story)
The ordinance amendment allows Jordan Way to be opened to school traffic
in accordance with a traffic plan signed by the Town Manager.
Following the special meeting, Town Manager Michael McGovern approved a plan
making Jordan Way immediately available for High School access between
approximately 6:30-7:30 a.m. on days when the High School is in session.
No drop offs or parking on Jordan Way for any access to Cape Elizabeth Middle
School or Pond Cove Elementary School will be allowed.
Following is the text of the emergency ordinance enactment:
Town of Cape Elizabeth- Emergency Ordinance Enactment
Whereas traffic has steadily increased traveling to and from the high school;
and
Whereas parents, students, the school board and school administrators have
expressed concern about dangerous traffic conditions at the entrance to the
high school on Rt. 77; and
Whereas a trial program of using Jordan Way for access to the high school
was started earlier this year; and
Whereas Section 13-7-4 of the Cape Elizabeth Town Ordinances prohibits use
of Jordan Way for access to the high school; and
Whereas, the School Department will soon seek approval from the Planning
Board for renovations and additions to the high school and the Pond Cove
School; and
Whereas the Planning Board is required to evaluate the traffic situation
for any development and may require traffic and road improvements where necessary
for the health and safety of the public;
Therefore, the Cape Elizabeth Town Council has determined that until the
Planning Board acts on the school department's development application an
emergency exists which necessitates the adoption of an emergency ordinance
temporarily permitting access to the high school along Jordan Way
Therefore, we, the Cape Elizabeth Town Council, do hereby adopt to be effective
immediately the following revised Sec. 13-7-4 of the Revised Official Code
of the Town of Cape Elizabeth:
Sec. 13-7-4. Vehicle Travel Restriction. Within the School Complex, registered
motor vehicles are restricted to the roadways. Vehicles are prohibited from
utilizing Jordan Way for access to and egress from the School Complex except
for emergency vehicles or except in accordance with a traffic plan approved
in writing by the town manager for the purpose of relieving traffic entering
the school complex. Snowmobiles on the school complex shall be restricted
to those areas immediately adjacent to the Spurwink Marsh. Unregistered motor
vehicles are prohibited on the School Complex. [Amended eff. 9/11/91.]
In accordance with the emergency ordinance adopted by the Cape Elizabeth
Town Council on December 15, 2003, the following traffic plan is hereby approved:
Effective immediately on days that Cape Elizabeth High School is in session,
Jordan Way shall be available for vehicles entering the school complex for
access to Cape Elizabeth High School from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 7:30
a.m. There shall be no drop offs or parking on Jordan Way for any access
to Cape Elizabeth Middle School or Pond Cove Elementary School. The Cape
Elizabeth Police Department is responsible for keeping the gate in the proper
position during the access availability period and at all other times.
This traffic plan shall remain in effect until revoked by the town manager
at his discretion.
Dated this 15th Day of December 2003 at Cape Elizabeth, Maine
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