PRESENTER: Presenter
Carly Farmer, Assistant City Engineer
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance to amend Section 126-136 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to revise the bounds of the school zones for Lone Star Early Childhood Center.
Header
DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The New Braunfels Police Department requested staff to review the location of the signs for the school zones associated with Lone Star Early Childhood Center. Officers were concerned that some of the existing signs denoting the 20 mph school zones were either missing or incorrectly located. Officers and staff conducted a site visit to document the existing traffic control locations. Staff compared the field observations with the descriptions of the school speed zones in the Code of Ordinances. Staff determined that both the school zone ordinance and the locations of the posted signs should be adjusted in order to maintain appropriate school zone boundaries in accordance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) and effectively communicate the boundaries of the school zone to vehicle operators.
There are currently school zones on portions of San Antonio Street, Hidalgo Avenue, Lone Star Avenue, and Zamora Avenue. The school zone on San Antonio Street is posted with roadside flashing beacons on each end. The remainder of the school zones are posted with static signs. Staff is proposing to extend the school zone on San Antonio Street, Lone Star Avenue, and Hidalgo Avenue to be consistent with existing school zone sign locations. A new school zone on School Avenue is proposed in accordance with the guidance in the TMUTCD and to be consistent with the bounds of the school zones on Lone Star Avenue and Hidalgo Avenue, which run parallel on either side of School Avenue.
ISSUE:
Adjustments are needed for the boundaries and traffic control for the school zones around Lone Star Early Childhood Center.
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 2025 approved streets and drainage budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends revising the school zone boundaries around Lone Star Early Childhood Center.