Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Garry Ford, City Engineer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - gford@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance prohibiting parking along both sides of a portion of Saengerhalle Road.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council District: 2
City Council approved (6-1) the first reading of the ordinance prohibiting parking along both sides of a portion of Saengerhalle Road on June 12, 2017.
Residents on Saengerhalle Road have requested a no parking zone on Saengerhalle Road at and around the Saengerhalle Estates development. Saengerhalle Estates is a new duplex development with driveway access to Saengerhalle Road with large lot residential on the opposite side. Saengerhalle Road is an existing two-lane local rural roadway and functions as a collector road between State Highway 46 and Saur Lane. Furthermore, traffic is anticipated to increase on Saengerhalle Road with residential development and as a result of delays and congestion on State Highway 46. The posted speed limit is 30 mph and a recent speed study measured the 85th percentile speed at 46 mph.
The pavement width varies between 20 and 24 feet as the developer of Saengerhalle Estates was responsible for widening the roadway to 24 feet from approximately 20 feet. There were no other improvements or restrictions required for the development in the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances. A photo of the current conditions is provided in the attachments.
The no parking zone is requested due to the roadway width and vehicles parking in front of mailboxes, driveways and off of the pavement. The parked vehicles restrict sight distance for residents and potentially damage the edge of pavement, vegetated shoulder and drainage area within the right-of-way. Photos of vehicles parked and restricting sight distance and shoulder area are shown in the attachments. The reported issues are typically a concern during evenings and weekends.
The proposed no parking zone is on both sides of the 700 block of Saengerhalle Road from the curve north 1,325 feet. The no parking zone will allow improved driveway sight distance and access. It will also limit parking of the duplex lots to the driveways and beyond the no parking zone; however, the developer’s representative indicated that no parking was planned with the development when the zoning case was presented to Planning Commission in 2014.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
2006 Comprehensive Plan: Transportation Goal 21: Provide a system of convenient and safe transportation facilities through comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transportation system planning and development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $135 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY16-17 approved streets and drainage budget.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously approved the recommendation to prohibit parking along both sides of a portion of Saengerhalle Road on May 11, 2017. Notices to property owners of this proposed change were mailed out prior to this meeting at the direction of the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board. The Board also recommended the no parking zone be signed to cover the street and right-of-way, and that city staff review and consider changes to current ordinances to prevent similar issues in the future.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance prohibiting parking along both sides of a portion of Saengerhalle Road.