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 first reading of an ordinance amending Section 126-185 of the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances to prohibit through truck traffic, establishing one-way traffic, and amending Section 126-346 of the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances to restrict parking on one side on Ferguson 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. Ferguson Street is an 18-foot wide residential street that extends between West San Antonio Street and West Mill Street. The concerns are with large trucks on northbound Ferguson Street not being able to turn 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.
Through truck restrictions
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. “Truck” is defined in the Texas Transportation Code and means a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily to transport property.
Traffic counts were conducted for over one week in early December 2017. 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 solid waste vehicles, standard vehicles with trailers, delivery trucks such as UPS or FedEx trucks, and large commercial trucks that the requestors are concerned about. Relative to other local streets, overall traffic on Ferguson Street is considered very low.
Large commercial trucks should not be driving in residential areas and are discouraged on all local residential streets. Authorizing and recommending a through truck restriction should be based on observed issues, traffic data and other supporting information. City staff did not observe specific issues when conducting site visits and the traffic data did not clearly show a large percentage of trucks considering the truck data includes various types of multi-axle vehicles. Residents provided additional information with photographs and during public input at the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board and City Council meetings regarding commercial truck activity and issues. Based on the additional information and discussion, staff recommends a through truck restriction if Ferguson Street is maintained for two-way traffic. If Ferguson Street is changes to one-way traffic, staff recommends reevaluating the roadway to determine if through truck traffic is still an issue and implement a restriction only at that time.
One-way traffic
Establishing one-way traffic on Ferguson Street from West Mill Street to West San Antonio Street was proposed due to the difficulty that some vehicles have with turning from Ferguson Street onto West Mill Street and the narrow roadway.
If one-way traffic is approved, signs will be posted in accordance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). Additionally, a curb will need to be constructed at the right-of-way line at the northeast corner of the intersection of Ferguson Street and West San Antonio Street to deter drivers from driving the wrong way from West San Antonio Street. The installation will require coordination with the adjacent property and business owners. Staff recommends establishing one-way traffic once this curb is constructed at West San Antonio Street.
Parking Restrictions
Due to the width of Ferguson Street, the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board has recommended parking restrictions to allow for better traffic flow. Because this is a residential street, staff recommends restricting parking only on one side of the street to allow for additional parking. The northeast side of Ferguson Street is proposed to have a parking restriction. This side was selected because it has more driveways and therefore, less parking spaces than the southwest side of the road. Based on a roadway width of 18 feet, approximately 7 feet will be provided for parking and 11 feet will be provided for one-way traffic.
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.
The curb to be constructed at the intersection of Ferguson Street and West San Antonio Street will cost approximately $3,100. Funding for this project will need to be identified in the FY18-19 budget.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The original request for through truck restrictions 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 on a motion that carried unanimously. These requests were presented to City Council on April 9, 2018, and staff was directed to take the request for one-way traffic and parking restrictions back to the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board.
This request for through truck restrictions, one-way traffic, and parking restrictions was presented at the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board meeting on June 14, 2018. The Board recommended approval of restricting through trucks, establishing one-way traffic from West Mill Street to West San Antonio Street, and restricting parking on the northeast side of Ferguson Street on a motion that carried unanimously.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends establishing one-way traffic on Ferguson Street in the direction of West Mill Street to West San Antonio Street once the curb at West San Antonio Street is constructed and restricting parking on the northeast side of Ferguson Street. Staff does not recommend restricting through truck traffic on Ferguson Street with one-way operations at this time. Staff recommends a through truck restriction if Ferguson Street is maintained for two-way traffic.