PRESENTER: Presenter
Carly Farmer, Engineer
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend Section 126-346 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to establish a no parking zone on both sides of Comal Creek Trail between Springs Nursery.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
City Council unanimously approved the first reading on December 11, 2023.
The Transportation Division received a request from the Town Creek POA Safety Committee to restrict on-street parking along both sides of Comal Creek Trail between Springs Nursery. The reason for the request is the pavement width is difficult to navigate when vehicles are parked on-street. The request was reviewed in accordance with the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances and the International Fire Code which identify pavement width requirements for through traffic and emergency vehicle response.
Comal Creek Trail and Springs Nursery are local streets in the Town Creek Subdivision. The speed limit is 30 mph and posted on Academy Avenue. Springs Nursery and Comal Creek Trail between Springs Nursery are one-way streets. This one-way loop has a pavement width of 18 feet, measured from curb to curb. The street area layout is shown in Figure 1. Town Creek subdivision is zoned as Planned Development District, and the development standards were first approved in 2007 and updated in 2021.
Site investigations were conducted in this area in July 2023. Staff did not observe any parked vehicles on Comal Creek Trail between northbound and southbound Springs Nursery. Staff received photos from the Town Creek POA Safety Committee showing parked vehicles in the requested area and a video showing a large truck having difficulties maneuvering the intersection of Springs Nursery and Comal Creek Trail. Staff took measurements of the pavement width where vehicles were parked and determined that the pavement width is adequate to support one-way through traffic and emergency vehicles response while vehicles are parked on-street.
Staff reached out to the City of New Braunfels Solid Waste and Recycling Division and the Fire Department regarding the impact of the pavement width and parked vehicles on access and city services. The Solid Waste manager reported that there hasn’t been any issue with collection. Staff coordinated with the Fire Department to have a fire response ladder truck on site in order to simulate navigating a fire apparatus down the one-way loop when vehicles are parked on-street. The Fire Department staff noted that some of the older model fire apparatus with tighter turning radius will not be able to make the turns on to and off of Springs Nursery while vehicles are parked on Comal Creek Trail near Springs Nursery.
Traffic crash data was found through TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System. From August 2020 through August 2023 there were zero reported crashes in the requested no parking area. In August 2023, a crash was reported to staff by the Town Creek POA Safety Committee. A vehicle traveling southbound on the western segment of Springs Nursery crashed into a parked vehicle near the intersection with Comal Creek Trail. The crash was not reported to the New Braunfels Police Department.
ISSUE:
A POA requested a no parking zone on Comal Creek Trail because of safety concerns due to on-street parking.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2024 Approved Streets and Drainage Budget.Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously recommended approval at their November 16, 2023 meeting.
Staff
Based on the site investigation and feedback from Fire Department personnel, it is recommended to restrict parking on both sides of Comal Creek Trail from the eastern intersection with Springs Nursery westerly for a distance of 100 feet. Restricting on-street parking in the area would allow Fire Department personnel to navigate their equipment through the tight intersections unobstructed when responding to an emergency situation.