Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Garry Ford, City Engineer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - gford@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance revising the school speed zone at Lone Star Early Childhood Center.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council District: 1
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 Lone Star Early Childhood Center, as well as removing two existing locations that are not a part of a school speed zone.
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.
Lone Star Early Childhood Center is bordered by an existing school speed zone on all four sides. There are marked crosswalks on N. Lone Star Avenue, S. Lone Star Avenue, W. San Antonio Street, and S. Hidalgo Avenue. The changes proposed for the school speed zone locations 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, which is consistent with the existing school speed zone signs. The school speed zone locations on N. Lone Star Avenue, W. San Antonio Street near the intersection with S. Lone Star Avenue, and N. Hidalgo Avenue will be extended and W. San Antonio Street near the intersection with Concepcion Avenue and S. Lone Star Avenue near Zamora Avenue will be shortened to be consistent with the existing signs and the guidance in the TMUTCD.
Additionally, removing the school speed zone for Old Austin Road and Broadway that is currently listed in the ordinance (but no signs are posted) is 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:
N/A. No new signs will need to be posted as a result of the proposed changes.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously approved the recommendation to City Council to revise the school speed zone locations at Lone Star Early Childhood Center, as well as removing school speed zones listed in the ordinance for Old Austin Road and Broadway on November 16, 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance to update the school speed zone locations at Lone Star Early Childhood Center, as well as removing Old Austin Road and Broadway from the school speed zone ordinance that are not a part of a school speed zone.