PRESENTER: Presenter
Amy Niles, River and Watershed Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance to amend Article VII, Section 126-368 (f) and (g) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels refine the existing water recreation shuttle zone in Cypress Bend Park to allow for public parking while still retaining a reserved water recreation shuttle zone.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This ordinance revision would create a modification to the existing water recreation shuttle zone and access area. The proposed parking layout would create 31 parking spaces for the public to that do not currently exist. 6 parking spaces will be removed from the small existing public parking lot in Cypress Bend Park. The result is an increase of 25 parking spaces for Cypress Bend Park. Currently this area of Cypress Bend Park is restricted to personal vehicles from May 1st- September 30th apart from a 10-minute loading and unloading zone. The 10-minute loading and unloading zone would be kept for ease of access for guests, as well as the reserved parking space in the small parking lot that is designated for 10-minute loading and unloading.
ISSUE:
City staff has been looking for ways to create more opportunities for residents to enjoy Cypress Bend Park considering the recent growth in popularity. Paid parking around the Comal River has expanded over the last few years, which has inadvertently pushed non-resident visitors to Cypress Bend parks due to the free access, which has created a scarcity of available parking. To make parking safer and more user-friendly in Cypress Bend Park, modifications are proposed to the small existing parking lot. These modifications result in the loss of 6 parking spaces and this ordinance revision is an effort to gain back those lost spaces and expand available public parking in Cypress Bend Park.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Restriping in Cypress Bend Park to implement these changes is estimated to cost $3,425 and will be paid for with funds budgeted in the River Activities Fund for FY 2024. Therefore, sufficient funding is available.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
The River Advisory Committee review the proposed ordinance changes on January 18, 2024 and unanimously recommended the proposed ordinance for approval.
City staff recommends the ordinance revision for approval.