PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Director of Transportation and Construction Services
Scott McClelland, Assistant Director of Transportation and Construction Services
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SUBJECT: Title
Public hearing, discussion, and possible action approving an expenditure, of up to $175,000, to fund the Streets and Utility Design Master Plan, pursuant to Section 501.103 of the Texas Local Government Code.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The proposed Streets and Utility Design Master Plan will develop design standards for right of way improvements to be used in Downtown and other strategic locations to improve consistency and delivery efficiency in the design of both private and public projects in these areas. The strategic value of the plan is that it will create a single, coordinated design standard to align streets, sidewalks, drainage, water, wastewater, lighting, on-street parking, landscaping and underground utilities into one integrated framework. This will help avoid the issue of designing utilities or other improvements in isolation that later conflict with street, sidewalk or landscaping plans. By pre-defining cross-sections, utility corridors and other standards, designers (private and public) will have clear expectations that lower risk, shorten timelines and improve design quality.
If approved, the New Braunfels City Council will consider action January 26, 2026. The plan is expected to take eight months to complete.
The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) discussed this project at its November 3, 2025, strategic planning workshop and received a presentation on this project at its November 20, 2025, regular meeting.
Section 501.103 of the Texas Local Government Code permits the NBEDC to invest in expenditures required or suitable for infrastructure necessary to promote or develop new or expanded business enterprises, including: streets and roads, water and sewer utilities, electric/gas utilities, drainage, and site improvements. The Streets and Utility Design Master Plan will set standards for future development and right of way improvements.
ISSUE:
Continue the ongoing enhancements of infrastructure in the Downtown area through clear design standards.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The NBEDC has appropriate reserves to fund this project.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the project expenditure to fund the Streets and Utility Design Master Plan.