PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Jr., Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer
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SUBJECT: Title
Public hearing and first reading of an ordinance amending Section 126-136 and Section 126-137 of the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances to create school speed zones on West Klein Road and South Walnut Avenue, respectively.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The new New Braunfels Middle School on Settlers Crossing will open in Fall 2021. Two separate school speed zones are proposed to be created at this time for this new school as well as the existing Klein Road 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.
A 20 mph school speed zone on South Walnut Avenue is proposed to begin at a point 250 feet northwest of the intersection with Settlers Crossing and extend southeast to 250 feet southeast of the intersection with Settlers Crossing. A separate 20 mph school zone on West Klein Road is proposed to begin 325 feet southwest of the intersection with Klein Way and extend northeast to 300 feet northeast of the intersection with Klein Way. The proposed school zones and associated traffic control are based on a school route plan serving the existing elementary and proposed middle school.
ISSUE:
Consideration of the requested speed humps is consistent with the following action from Envision New Braunfels:
Action 7.21: Ensure that there is connected multi-modal access to all public facilities and from all parts of town.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2021 approved streets and drainage budget.
The school zone signs on South Walnut Avenue will be installed by the contractor for the New Braunfels Middle School and will be funded by New Braunfels ISD.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board
This proposed amendment was presented to the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board at their July 8, 2021 meeting.
Staff
Staff recommends establishing two 20 mph school speed zones: (1) on South Walnut Avenue to begin at a point 250 feet northwest of the intersection with Settlers Crossing and extending southeast to 250 feet southeast of the intersection with Settlers Crossing and (2) on West Klein Road to begin 325 feet southwest of the intersection with Klein Way and extending northeast to 300 feet northeast of the intersection with Klein Way