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 amending Section 126-186 of the Code of Ordinances to prohibit through truck traffic on Saur Lane and Barbarosa Road.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council Districts: 2 and 5
City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 126-186 of the Code of Ordinances to prohibit through truck traffic on Saur Lane and Barbarosa Road on January 14, 2019.
The Engineering Division received a request from a citizen to establish a No Through Truck restriction on Saur Lane between Barbarosa Road and FM 758 due to concerns related to through commercial truck traffic, specifically gravel trucks and commercial delivery trucks, on a narrow roadway. Saur Lane is a 20 foot wide street with a posted speed limit of 30 mph.
Through truck restrictions apply to any truck that is traveling and not bound for a destination along the specified roadway. Delivery or service trucks driving to a destination along a route with through truck restrictions are not prohibited from these roads because they are not through traffic.
At the request of the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board, staff researched exemptions for agricultural trucks for this request because of the farm land surrounding the requested roadway. Currently, no exemptions exist for agricultural trucks on a road with a through truck restriction in either state or federal code. However, there is a definition of a ‘covered farm vehicle’ in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) that describes the type of agricultural trucks that would be using this route. Staff is recommending referencing this definition to provide an agricultural exemption for through truck traffic on the requested roadway in the city’s code of ordinances.
The New Braunfels Police Department and Public Works Department are in favor of restricting trucks on Saur Lane/Barbarosa Road (Saur Lane is the road name in Guadalupe County and Barbarosa Road is the road name in Comal County) between FM 1101 and FM 758 due to the roadway width and sharp curves. SH 46 is a more acceptable route for these types of vehicles that are traveling between FM 1101 and FM 758.
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 funds are available in the FY 2018-19 approved Public Works budget.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously recommended the creation of a through truck restriction on Saur Lane and Barbarosa Road between FM 1101 and FM 758 with an exemption for through agricultural trucks at their meeting on December 13, 2018.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends creating a truck restriction on Saur Lane and Barbarosa Road between FM 1101 and FM 758 with an exemption for through agricultural trucks.