PRESENTER: Presenter
Carly Farmer, Assistant City Engineer
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider a recommendation to the City Council to amend Section 126-346 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to prohibit parking on both sides of Divine Way from the intersection with Fayette Drive southwesterly for approximately 165 feet.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Staff received a request from the Dove Crossing Homeowners’ Association (HOA) to prohibit parking on both sides of Divine Way southwest of the intersection with Fayette Drive due to concerns about sight distance from vehicles parking near the intersection. The requested “no parking” zone begins at Fayette Drive and encompasses the frontage of 2512 and 2450 Fayette Dr as well as the drainage easement behind the two properties.
Divine Way is a two-lane residential collector through the North Ranch Estates and Dove Crossing subdivisions that begins at Walnut Avenue and ends at Eagle Pass Drive. It provides connectivity via Eagle Pass Drive to Dove Crossing Drive, a minor collector thoroughfare that runs between West County Line Road and West Klein Road. Divine Way is stop-controlled at the intersection with Walnut Avenue, and there is an all-way stop at the intersection with N Ranch Estates Boulevard. The posted speed limit on Divine Way is 30 mph, and there are curbs and sidewalks along both sides.
As part of the evaluation of the request, city staff conducted a site visit in February 2026 to observe the parking activity. The pavement width on Divine Way was measured to be 36 feet. Vehicles were observed parked along Divine Way and adjacent to the side of 2512 Fayette Drive during the site visit.
A sight distance analysis for the intersection of Divine Way and Fayette Drive was completed in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards, which determined that parked vehicles on Divine Way would be located within the sight triangle for vehicles on Fayette Drive entering Divine Way. However, the presence of the all-way stop at the adjacent intersection with N Ranch Estates Blvd shortens sight distance needs for Fayette Drive because vehicles on Divine Way are approaching from a stop condition and not free-flow speed.
Maintaining visibility and sight distance in urban areas is a challenge. Strict adherence to engineering sight distance standards at intersections is oftentimes impractical given considerations to on-street parking, vehicular activity, and adjacent land use.
Curb ramp improvements along Divine Way were recently reconstructed as part of the 2023 Bond Citywide Street Improvements Capital Improvements Project, providing directional ramps for crosswalks in line with accessibility requirements and best practices at multiple intersections. City ordinance and state law prohibit parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk. If parking activity is a continual issue, the city may install “no parking” signs to reinforce the parking prohibition requirement for crosswalks.
City staff is currently working with the HOA on a related request for traffic calming on Divine Way in the Dove Crossing subdivision. Many traffic calming elements also address sight distance concerns by slowing oncoming traffic and shifting vehicular traffic away from the curb, improving visibility. Removing on-street parking opens the full roadway width, which typically results in higher speeds. The city is working on obtaining a complete application and petition for traffic calming to begin the investigation. If received, data collection will likely occur when school resumes in the fall.
The public hearing will be held at a future City Council meeting, and notices will be sent in advance to properties adjacent to the proposed parking changes.
ISSUE:
The Dove Crossing HOA requested “no parking” zones along both sides of Divine Way from the intersection with Fayette Drive southwesterly for approximately 165 feet.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2026 Approved Streets and Drainage Budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends postponing the parking prohibition request until the traffic calming request has been investigated.