PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation & Construction Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider the first reading of an ordinance amending Appendix D of the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances to adopt new fees for Traffic Impact Analysis Services.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) is a specialized engineering study that evaluates the impact of a new development on the transportation network. It is intended to identify impacts, ensure safety and efficiency, guide decision-making, and establish mitigation measures. A TIA is required for any new development, redevelopment, or change in use that is expected to generate new traffic.
The TIA review process involves the city review of a developer’s TIA to ensure a proposed development will not negatively impact the existing transportation network.
In 2023, TIA reviews were primarily conducted by third-party reviewers, who were managed by city staff. TIA review fees were updated in 2023 to cover the city’s cost of the specialized engineering review and pass those costs on to the developer. Fees are assessed based on the actual cost determined by the report scope or additional review comments. The fees recover the city's third-party review costs; however, implementing the fee has created issues, including increased review timelines, uncertainty regarding review fees, and failure to account for city staff review.
To address the issues and the preference for city staff to review TIAs while recovering a portion of the third-party review costs, if required by staff resources and workload, the proposed fee adjustments are as follows:
The proposed fees are based on an estimated level of effort, taking into account the scope and area of the TIA study, as well as the general costs of third-party reviews.
The cost of third-party reviews is subject to the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act. TIA review is specialized engineering, and the selection of a third-party reviewer is based on qualifications, not the lowest price. The cost of a third-party reviewer is based on the scope of work and a negotiated, fair, and reasonable price. The provider’s contract rates may vary, and professional engineer services rates have increased significantly in recent years.
A review of TIA reviews of comparable cities was conducted; however, the TIA requirements, review process, and fees varied widely across the cities.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any additional revenue generated by these fee adjustments will be incorporated into the FY 2027 Budget to help offset increased costs and cover unfunded resource needs.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance amending the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Appendix D - Fee Schedule by adopting new fees for Traffic Impact Analysis Services.