PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance to amend Section 126-346 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to establish a no parking zone on the north side of Fair Lane adjacent to River Acres Park.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Under Section 126-33 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels, the Chief of Police is empowered to make regulations necessary to make and enforce temporary regulations to cover emergencies or special conditions. These regulations may remain in effect for no longer than 90 days. On May 8, 2020, the Chief of Police authorized a no parking zone on the north side of Fair Lane from Common Street to the eastern limit of River Acres Park as part of precautions related to the spread of COVID-19. No parking signs with tow-away provisions were installed and have remained beyond the 90-day limit of a temporary regulation. As concerns over COVID-19 in city parks has waned, city staff has investigated the need to maintain or remove the parking restriction next to River Acres Park. To make the no parking zone permanent and enforceable, an ordinance is required.
Fair Lane is a residential street located off Common Street and runs parallel to the Guadalupe River. It is classified as a minor collector on the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan and is a popular cut-through route for traffic avoiding congestion at the intersection of Common Street and SL 337. Several segments of Fair Lane are included in Parking by Permit Area D which was established due to the popularity of River Acres Park and access to the Guadalupe River by both out of town visitors and New Braunfels residents that live in other areas of the city. Fair Lane has a pavement width of 38 feet, which is able to accommodate 11 foot through lanes in each direction as well as 8 foot wide on-street parking on both sides. Prior to the May 8, 2020 traffic control authorization, on-street parallel parking was available on both sides of Fair Lane adjacent to River Acres Park. The south side has capacity for approximately 22 vehicles and the north side has approximately 18.
City staff inquired with the traffic section of the Police Department about the need to retain the parking restriction on the north side of Fair Lane. The Police Department supports maintaining the parking restriction due to the high volumes of both traffic and pedestrians on and near Fair Lane. This reduces the number of pedestrians crossing Fair Lane to access the park as the only parking will be on the park-side of the street. There were zero reported crashes in the three years preceding the temporary no parking regulation and zero reported crashes since the regulation was authorized.
ISSUE:
Staff is investigating the need to maintain a temporary no parking zone on Fair Lane.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2024 approved streets and drainage budget.Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously recommended approval (4-0) at their October 19, 2023, meeting.
Staff
Staff recommends a permanent no parking zone on the north side of Fair Lane adjacent to River Acres Park.