PRESENTER: Presenter
Carly Farmer, Engineer
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider a recommendation to City Council to amend Section 126-346 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to establish a no parking zone on the east side of Spur Street south of S Peach Avenue.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Staff received a request to restrict on-street parking along the east side of Spur Street next to the intersection with S Peach Avenue due to safety concerns. Vehicles park along Spur Street next to the intersection with S Peach Avenue in order to access the Butcher Boys Taco House restaurant. The requester expressed concerns with sight distance for vehicles on S Peach Avenue traveling across Spur Street due to the parked vehicles. There are currently no parking restrictions on Spur Street and no history of any parking restriction ordinances.
Spur Street has a posted speed of 30 mph and is classified as a Minor Arterial on the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan. It provides a connection point between IH 35 and Downtown New Braunfels via San Antonio Street. The pavement width is 60 feet which supports two through lanes in each direction as well as on-street parking on both sides of the street.
Staff drafted intersection sight distance triangles for S Peach Avenue at Spur Street following the guidelines in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets. Multiple site visits were conducted in the summer of 2023 during the operating hours of Butcher Boys Taco House. Staff observed vehicles parking along the east side of Spur Street in front of the restaurant and along the adjacent lots, including up to the intersection with S Peach Avenue. In addition, staff witnessed people crossing Spur Street from the Legacy Church parking lot to visit the restaurant. The vehicles parked on the east side of Spur Street near the intersection with S Peach Avenue do obstruct the sight distance of traffic on S Peach Avenue; however, vehicles are able to pull forward into the on-street parking area to better visualize oncoming traffic on Spur Street.
The 2000 block of Spur Street is currently zoned C-3 (commercial). The property where Butcher Boys Taco House is located (2031 Spur Street) does not meet off-street parking requirements for C-3 zoning, but because the property has retained the same land use and zoning for many years, compliance with parking requirements was not required to open and operate Butcher Boys Taco House.
Staff recently brought a similar request to the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board and City Council to restrict parking in front of 2043 Spur Street due to concerns about vehicles accessing Butcher Boys Taco House disrupting mail and City solid waste services. City Council directed staff to install pavement markings for a single parking spot in front of the residence at 2043 Spur Street if the property owner agreed to relocate their mailbox to be adjacent to their driveway. To date, the property owner has not moved the mailbox.
ISSUE:
A resident has contacted the city regarding vehicles parking on Spur Street and blocking sight distance for vehicles on S Peach Avenue.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2024 approved streets and drainage budget.Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff does not recommend a no parking zone on the east side of Spur Street next to the intersection with S Peach Avenue.