AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2020-79, on the second of two readings, reducing the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour along the 500-1200 blocks of Burleson Street between Moore Street and Prospect street; authorizing the installation of signs and traffic control devices reflecting the new speed limit; directing that the traffic register maintained under section 82.067 of the San Marcos City Code be amended to reflect the new speed limit; and including procedural provisions.
Body
Meeting date: October 20, 2020
Department: Public Services Department (Tom Taggart)
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $300
Account Number: 10006147.53230
Funds Available: $38,893
Account Name: Traffic-Signs
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: N/A
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☒ Transportation - Choose an item.
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Transportation Master Plan
Background Information:
Pursuant to Sec. 82.066 of the San Marcos City Code, the installation of regulatory traffic signs requires approval of the City Council if the authority is not specifically delegated to the traffic engineer.
The Public Services Department received a petition from residents on Burleson Street, between Moore Street and Prospect Street, to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph.
The city received 26 responses from 50 lots along Burleson Street in favor of 25 mph. The petition also included 6 responses near Burleson Street in favor of 25 mph.
Based on a speed study conducted during June 24-25, 2020, the average 85th percentile speed on Burleson Street is 33.9 mph. The roadway width is approximately 27 ft with curves and slopes. In between Moore St. and Prospect St, Burleson St. has all-way stop control at Scott St. intersection and Blanco St. There is no sidewalk along the roadway.
Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.356, gives authority to municipalities to alter speed limits to not less than 25 miles per hour, if the governing body determines that the prima facie speed limit is unreasonable or unsafe. Engineering studies conducted by the Transportation Division support the conclusion that the current posted speed of 30 m.p.h. is unreasonable and unsafe and the proposed 25 m.p.h. speed limit reflects the safe and prudent speed limit to maintain roadway safety especially for neighborhood bike and pedestrian traffic.
Additionally, the CIP Department in conjunction with the Public Services and Police Department will install temporary 25 mph speed limit for 90 days on San Antonio Street (Olive Street to Harvey Street) and Belvin St. (Bishop Street to Scott Street) as part of the Hopkins Reconstruction Project traffic control plan. The temporary 25 m.p.h. speed limits will be installed on September 25th, 2020. Following the completion of the engineering studies, permanent speed limit changes for San Antonio and Belvin Street, will be submitted for City Council consideration.
If supported by engineering studies, ordinances setting permanent 25mph speed limits on San Antonio St. and Belvin St. will be submitted to City Council for consideration on first reading on November 17th and final approval on December 6th, 2020.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Alternatives:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Recommendation:
Establish 25 mph speed zone for Burleson Street between Moore Street and Prospect Street.