PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider a recommendation to City Council regarding the approval of the establishment of the right-of-way width of W. San Antonio Street, identified as a Minor Arterial in the City of New Braunfels Regional Transportation Plan, from S. Guenther Avenue to Main Plaza.Header
DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements, Planning and Development Services, Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1 & 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Staff reviewed the right-of-way requirements on W. San Antonio Street from S. Guenther Avenue to Main Plaza.
A previous right-of-way determination of W. San Antonio Street from S. Walnut Avenue to S. Guenther Avenue was conducted in 2015. Staff recommended to establish right-of-way as the existing 70 feet due to constraints from fronting buildings. This recommendation was approved by City Council on November 9, 2015.
San Antonio Street is identified as a Minor Arterial in the City of New Braunfels Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) approved by City Council on March 12, 2012. The RTP provides region wide consistency and continuity regarding arterial and collector street alignments and function to guide local thoroughfare planning decisions. The RTP defines a Minor Arterial as a roadway that serves traffic generators and through movements. Minor Arterials include up to six lanes and have a right-of-way width up to 120 feet.
The W. San Antonio Street segment is approximately 0.43 miles between S. Guenther Avenue and Main Plaza. S. Guenther Avenue is designated as a Local Street, and Landa Street/S. Seguin Avenue is designated as a Minor Arterial. S. Castell Avenue intersects W. San Antonio Street and is designated as a Major Collector. There are no additional thoroughfare connections to this segment. W. Mill Street is a parallel Minor Collector and bike route one block to the north.
The existing right-of-way of W. San Antonio Street varies from 70 to 95 feet from S. Guenther Avenue to Clemens Avenue and is 95 feet from Clemens Avenue to Main Plaza. The typical section west of Clemens Avenue is a four-lane undivided roadway with three travel lanes (one eastbound, two westbound) and a center turn lane, a westbound street parking lane, and sidewalks. The existing typical section from Clemens Avenue to Main Plaza is a four-lane undivided roadway with two travel lanes in each direction, street parking on both sides, and sidewalks. Pavement width is 50 to 58 feet from S. Guenther Avenue to Clemens Avenue and 70 feet from Clemens Avenue to Main Plaza.
The street segment contains a railroad crossing at Hill Avenue and a pedestrian crossing and beacon at Clemens Avenue. Neither feature influences the right-of-way width. The street takes on a downtown character with shops on each side beginning at N. Academy Avenue.
Based on the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization regional travel demand model, 2015 average daily traffic (ADT) was 8,900. The projected 2045 ADT is shown to be 16,300. There is no minimum capacity mandated in the RTP for a Minor Arterial; therefore, the standard used for capacity is future ADT on the corridor.
The future typical section and right-of-way of W. San Antonio Street may vary depending on the street design context, city planning goals and policies, and desired public space. This area currently has pedestrian activity at S. Castell Avenue and toward Main Plaza.
Based on projected traffic volumes, existing constraints, and future development and pedestrian activity, the existing right-of-way of 70 to 95 feet west of Clemens Avenue and 95 feet east of Clemens Avenue is appropriate. A four-lane undivided section can carry 10,900 ADT at an acceptable level of service and up to 14,500 ADT depending on traffic patterns and adjacent streets. This capacity adequately serves existing traffic volumes.
As demand grows, 70 feet of pavement offers various configurations for vehicular and pedestrian infrastructure, with potential to add one or more lanes. Downtown lends itself to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and the installation of active transportation infrastructure may assist in alleviating the demands of future ADT.
Additional right-of-way may be required at intersections and will be provided in accordance with the City’s Code of Ordinances.
ISSUE:
The Regional Transportation Plan classifies W. San Antonio Street as a Minor Arterial requiring 120 feet of right-of-way. Buildings fronting the street create constraints on both sides, requiring an assessment of right-of-way requirements on W. San Antonio Street from S. Guenther Avenue to Main Plaza.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/ARecommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of establishing the following right-of-way widths for W. San Antonio Street, identified as a Minor Arterial in the City of New Braunfels Regional Transportation Plan, from S. Guenther Avenue to Main Plaza:
• 70 to 95 feet from S. Guenther Avenue to Clemens Avenue, and
• 95 feet from Clemens Avenue to Main Plaza.