Wright City aldermen last week voted to lift a 21-month ban and allow new home construction to resume in two subdivisions located off Stuermann Road. Board members made the decision now that regulations have been established to protect recent improvements to the road and other new city streets. Aldermen voted 3-0 to allow construction to resume in the Falcons Crest and Timber Trails subdivisions at last Thursday's board meeting. Alderman Tom Black was absent. At the board's previous meeting on Oct. 27, aldermen adopted an ordinance that assesses a permit fee to allow construction traffic to use a new city street. The ordinance states any builder or developer will be required to pay a $500 deposit for each new single-family residence built within a 60-month period that construction traffic uses a new city street. In addition, when the estimated cost of construction is $5,000 or less for other types of buildings, structures, improvements or streets, the deposit fee will be $75. The deposit fee increases to $150 when the estimated cost of construction is more than $5,000. The new permit regulations apply to all new city streets, not just Stuermann Road. The city recently wrapped up its portion of the road improvements, which included a 3 1/2-inch asphalt overlay. Earlier this year, county crews made minor repairs as part of an agreement reached in May for the city to assume ownership of Stuermann Road from the county. Stuermann Road serves as the lone entrance from Highway H into the two subdivisions, located in the southwest part of the city. Mayor David Heiliger said he was glad to be able to make the announcement, which had been in the works over the past few weeks. "We're trying to get the income going for them," Heiliger told The Record. "Now they can start building homes and get (the subdivisions) full." In February 2010, aldermen voted to stop issuing building permits for the two subdivisions until improvements and ownership of the road was completed. Since that time a construction ban was approved by aldermen, builders attended several meetings asking city officials to reconsider the work stoppage. Heiliger said he understood the frustration and acknowledged the process was much longer than he initially anticipated. When he was sworn in as mayor in April 2010, he told property owners from the two subdivisions that the issue was one of his top priorities. However, it took much longer than expected to determine who should be responsible for the road upgrades. He said it was in the city's best interest to protect its investment in upgrading Stuermann Road. "It's a big relief," Heiliger said. "It took so long. I didn't know there was so much that had to be done. We can finally exhale." He added, "The day pavement went down, residents were texting me saying how great it was. They were more patient than I probably would have been. They trusted us in that something was being done." The new permit fee will help the city recoup its expense for maintenance beyond a road's normal wear and tear for a road that has been used for construction traffic, officials said. Developers who would be using a temporary construction road and not using the city street would not be required to pay the fee. If the funds are not used over a 10-year period, they can be refunded upon a request to the city. According to the ordinance, a building permit is valid once a construction route is submitted and approved by the city or the deposit fee has been paid. The deposit must be paid at least 24 hours prior to the time construction is to begin.