PRESENTER: Presenter
Carly Farmer, Assistant City Engineer
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider a recommendation to amend Section 126-346 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to restrict parking on Willowbrook.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
At the March 25, 2024, City Council meeting, staff presented a traffic calming plan for Willowbrook between FM 1101 and Split Rock Road due to high speeds and volumes associated with cut-through traffic. The preliminary plan included speed humps, a raised crosswalk, and a mini roundabout. City Council approved the plan with the condition that staff would be able to alter the plan as needed through final design in partnership with the community. Installation of four speed humps on Willowbrook has been completed, and repeat traffic data collection indicates that the speed humps have been effective in slowing traffic.
Staff completed preliminary design on the raised crosswalk and mini roundabout, but the intersection configuration, drainage, and high cost made these infeasible. These improvements were targeted for the intersections of Willowbrook/Shepherd Path and Willowbrook/Colonial Ave, which are adjacent to Timmerman Park. The traffic calming plan was then adjusted to include bulb-outs and enhanced crosswalks for these two intersections due to proximity to the park, area schools, and connectivity to the shared use path in the park.
During final design for the two intersections, staff met with the August Fields HOA to present options and get community leadership buy-in. The HOA was most supportive of restricting parking on one side of Willowbrook in order to accommodate two lanes for two-way traffic and a parking lane with a buffer adjacent to Timmerman Park. Because the street experiences both high traffic volumes and frequent parking activity, it was desirable to designate space for parking while allowing through traffic to pass through without conflict.
A no parking zone is recommended on the south side of Willowbrook that extends from west of the intersection with Shepherd Path to east of the intersection with Colonial Avenue. A pavement marking plan has been prepared that allocates two ten-foot lanes for two-way traffic and an eight-foot parking lane with a two-foot buffer on the north side of Willowbrook. Removing parking on one side of the roadway maintains two-way traffic flow needed to efficiently funnel traffic between FM 1101 and Alves Lane. Providing a parking lane and buffer will reduce conflict points between through traffic, parked vehicles, and pedestrians and cyclists while preserving some of the on-street parking inventory for residents, park visitors, and student pick-up from the nearby schools.
The public hearing will be at a future City Council meeting, and notices will be sent in advance of the meeting to all properties adjacent to the proposed parking changes.
ISSUE:
City staff is implementing the next phase of the traffic calming plan for Willowbrook.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
City staff is preparing the cost estimate with the Public Works Department. The city has specific funding for the installation of traffic calming. Approved traffic calming plans are ranked for funding according to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy prioritization process. The highest-scoring projects will be funded through the FY 2026 budget. Remaining projects will be considered for funding in subsequent budget years.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends restricting parking on a portion of Willowbrook in order to implement a traffic calming plan.