AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2021-85, on the second of two readings, reducing the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour along the streets in the Forest Hills Subdivision; 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 19, 2021
Department: Public Works (Sabas Avila)
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $2000
Account Number: 10006147.53230
Funds Available: $24,573
Account Name: : Traffic-Signs
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: N/A
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
N/A
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☒ Transportation - Safe, Well coordinated transportation system implemented in an environmentally sensitive manner
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Background Information:
Pursuant with Sec. 82.066, all regulatory signs where the authority to install is not specifically delegated to the traffic engineer, requires approval from City Council by ordinance.
On May 26th, the Public Works and Neighborhood Enhancement Department hosted a neighborhood meeting at the Rec Hall. The goal of the meeting was to understand the neighborhood’s concerns regarding traffic issues. Eight residents attended the meeting and provided valuable information and recommendations. On June 17th, city staff distributed survey forms with prepaid returning envelops to the entire neighborhood for additional feedback.
The Public Works Department received 29 valid responses, including the comments received during the neighborhood meeting and mail survey. Among these 29 responses, 26 are in favor of 25 m.p.h. speed limit throughout the neighborhood. And 3 responses oppose lowering the speed limit in the neighborhood.
Pursuant with Texas Transportation Code 545.356 (b-1), the governing body of a municipality may declare a lower speed limit of not less than 25 m.p.h., if the governing body determines that the prima facie speed limit on the highway is unreasonable or unsafe
The Transportation Division of the Public Works Department conducted traffic engineering studies on Quail Creek Dr. and W Bluebonnet Dr. The Transportation Division evaluated the speed limits of these two major roadways within the neighborhood by using USLIMIT2. USLIMITS2 is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) tool to help practitioners set reasonable, safe, and consistent speed limits for specific segments of roads.
The engineering studies support the conclusion that the current posted speed of 30 m.p.h. in the study area 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.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
N/A
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommendation:
Establish 25 mph speed limits for following streets:
200 - 300 block of Walnut St. from N LBJ Dr. to W Bluebonnet Dr.
800 - 1000 block of W Bluebonnet Dr. from Forest Dr. to Mandalay Ln.
800 - 1000 block of E Bluebonnet Dr. from W Bluebonnet Dr. to Mandalay Ln.
300 block of Cardinal Ct. from N LBJ Dr. to Clark Ave.
1000 - 1100 block of Clark Ave. from Walnut St. to Ramsay St.
200 Block of Ramsay St. from N LBJ Dr. to east end of the street.
100 - 300 block of Mandalay Ln. from Clark Ave. to east end of the street.
200 - 300 block of Forest Dr. from N LBJ to Buena Vista.
100 block of Buena Vista from Forest Dr. to south end of the street.
100 - 200 block of Quail Creek Dr. from Mandalay Ln. to south end of the street.
0 - 100 block of Bobwhite Dr. from Quail Creek Dr. to east end of the street.
100 block of Hummingbird Holw from Quail Creek Dr. to south end of the street.
100 block of House Wren Hl. from Quail Creek Dr. to south end of the street.
100 block of W Lauren Ln from Quail Creek Dr. to Alta Vista Dr.
100 block of Convey Ct. from Quail Creek Dr. to west end of the street.