Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Garry Ford, City Engineer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - gford@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider possible direction regarding possible amendments to Chapter 126, Traffic and Vehicles, to prohibit through truck traffic, designate Ferguson Street as a one-way street and restrict parking on Ferguson Street between West Mill Street and West San Antonio Street.
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BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council District: 6
The Engineering Division received a request from citizens on West Mill Street to establish a No Through Truck restriction on Ferguson Street due to concerns related to truck traffic on a narrow road. The concerns are with large trucks not being able to turn off Ferguson Street onto West Mill Street without driving over the curb or into the right of way on the opposite side of West Mill Street. Specific concerns about trucks driving to and from New Braunfels Smokehouse were raised. Ferguson Street is an 18-foot wide residential street with a speed limit of 30 mph that extends between West San Antonio Street and West Mill Street.
Through truck restrictions apply to any truck that is traveling on these roadways not bound for a destination along Ferguson Street. Delivery or service trucks driving to a destination along this route are not prohibited from these roads because they are not through traffic.
Traffic counts were conducted for over one week in early December. During that week, there were a total of 1,136 vehicles that travelled on Ferguson Street. Of that total, 34 vehicles (3% of total vehicles) were classified as 2-axle, 6-tire vehicles, which would be indicative of a large truck or trailer that the requestors are concerned about.
Large trucks should not be driving in residential areas; however, city staff did not observe issues when conducting site visits or using traffic counts that would be addressed with the proposed truck restriction. Additionally, city staff contacted New Braunfels Smokehouse management about the route their trucks use and were told that the trucks they control are not allowed to use Ferguson Street, but that other trucking companies are outside of their control. Because of the lack of observed through truck traffic by city staff, staff does not recommend the creation of a through truck traffic restriction on Ferguson Street at this time.
This request was presented at the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board meeting on March 8, 2018. The Board recommended approval of the through truck restriction and that staff evaluate one-way traffic on Ferguson Street from West Mill Street to West San Antonio Street and/or the possibility of restricting parking on Ferguson Street.
Staff does not recommend making Ferguson Street a one-way roadway because of the equal traffic volumes in both directions, block length between North Santa Clara Avenue and North Academy Avenue, and the potential for drivers to use the parking lot of the First Methodist Church as a cut-through in the opposite direction of the one-way traffic on Ferguson Street.
Due to the narrow roadway width (18 feet) on Ferguson Street and based on an initial assessment, restricting parking on both sides of the road for the length of Ferguson Street will allow for two-way traffic. A 9-foot travel lane is the minimum lane width for low-volume, residential streets. Staff plans to further evaluate the potential parking restrictions and get input from property owners on Ferguson Street and emergency responders. Notification letters will be sent to property owners prior to City Council consideration of this request.
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 Public Works budget.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
This item was presented to the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board at their meeting on March 8, 2018. The board recommended approval of restricting through truck traffic on Ferguson Street between West San Antonio Street and West Mill Street and recommended that staff investigate making traffic on Ferguson Street one way from West Mill Street to West San Antonio Street and restricting parking on Ferguson Street on a motion that carried unanimously.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff does not recommend restricting thru truck traffic on Ferguson Street at this time. Staff does not recommend making Ferguson Street a one-way street from West Mill Street to West San Antonio Street. Staff recommends evaluating parking restrictions along both sides of Ferguson Street for the entire length to allow for the entire 18’ of the road to be clear for two-way traffic.