Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Garry Ford, City Engineer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - gford@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance to revise the school speed zones at Carl Schurz Elementary School, New Braunfels High School Ninth Grade Center, and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council Districts: 5 and 6
City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the school speed zones at Carl Schurz Elementary School, New Braunfels High School Ninth Grade Center, and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School on November 13, 2017.
Staff is conducting a review of the school speed zones for the existing schools in the city. As a result of this review, changes are proposed for Carl Schurz Elementary, New Braunfels High Ninth Grade Center, and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, as well as distance clarifications for Clear Springs Elementary and Oak Creek Elementary.
A school zone is a section of roadway adjacent to a school or a school crosswalk where signs designating a school are present. A school speed zone is a special reduced speed zone for schools allowed by ordinance and defined by school speed signs. Ideally, school speed zones should be kept short to enhance driver compliance. School speed zones are intended for pedestrian safety and not to facilitate vehicle movements. The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) provides guidance that the point of a school speed zone should be at least 200 feet in advance of a school crossing if the school speed limit is less than 30 mph.
Carl Schurz Elementary and New Braunfels High Ninth Grade Center are located adjacent to one another, with Butcher Street between the two campuses. The changes proposed for the school speed zone locations at both schools are to adjust the distance covered by the school speed zone to the school crossing locations to be consistent with the TMUTCD guidance of at least 200 feet in advance of the school crossing locations. The school speed zone locations on South Guenther Avenue, Clemens Avenue, Magazine Avenue, West Coll Street near Magazine Avenue, and West Nacogdoches Street will be extended and West Coll Street near South Guenther Avenue will be shortened so that the school speed zone begins 200 feet before the closest school crossing.
The school speed zone for Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School will be updated to match the existing signs at the school. West Zink Street from Landa Street to its dead end will be added to the ordinance and the existing school speed zone on Castell Avenue will end at West Bridge Street instead of extending through the parking lot of the school.
Clarifications on the distance to match the posted signs at Clear Springs Elementary and Oak Creek Elementary are also proposed at this time.
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 $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY17-18 approved streets and drainage budget.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously approved the recommendation to City Council to revise the school speed zone locations at Carl Schurz Elementary, New Braunfels High School Ninth Grade Center, and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, as well as distance clarifications for Clear Springs Elementary and Oak Creek Elementary on October 12, 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends amending the school speed zone locations at Carl Schurz Elementary, New Braunfels High School Ninth Grade Center, and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, as well as distance clarifications for Clear Springs Elementary School and Oak Creek Elementary School.