Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3533 amending the City of Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Chapter 82, Traffic and Vehicles, Section 82-34 “Speed Limits” by establishing a speed limit on a segment of Royal Lane, Section 82-122 “School Zones”, amending a school zone on a segment of Valley View and removing school zones at three other locations; Section 82-245 “Specific Weight Limits” adopting vehicle weight limits on Mercer Parkway; and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Recent Development on the Westside has determined that a specific weight limit of vehicles be set for Mercer Parkway beginning at its intersection with Valley View Lane east to its intersection with Commerce Street. The Police Department is in concurrence with State standard speed limit of 30 miles per hour and establish vehicle weight limits. The Police Department further requests that Royal Lane between Luna Road and the east city limit line be changed from 35 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour.
Public Works and the Police Department have performed an audit of school zones throughout areas of Farmers Branch. Staff recommends altering the school zone on Valley View Lane by relocating the school beacon west of Templeton Trail due to the lack of pedestrian usage east of Templeton Trail. By relocating the beacon, this will shorten the school zone by approximately 300 feet. This location services the Chapel Hill Preparatory School located at Templeton Trail and Ridgeoak Way. Additionally, there are three school zone locations that Staff recommends deleting. Along Longmeade Drive between Janwood Drive and Sundown Trail. This school zone was provided for children attending McLaughlin Elementary which has now closed. The other two school zone locations that are currently not being utilized are on Tom Field Road between Danny Lane and Farmers Branch Lane, and portion of Farmers Branch Lane between Selma Road and Tom Field Road.
DISCUSSION:
City Administration and the Police Department, are in concurrence to set the vehicle weight limit not to exceed one-ton on Mercer Parkway between Valley View Lane and Commerce Street and a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit; and to change Royal Lane from Luna to the east city limit line from 35 to 40 miles per hour. Further after assessment of the above mentioned school zones, Staff finds it in the public’s interest and safety to relocate the school flash beacon and amend the school zones at those locations as mentioned above:
Amend school zone distance along Valley View Lane as follows:
Valley View Lane from a point 360 feet east of the intersection of Valley View Lane and Brookhollow Drive, east to a point 140 feet west of the intersection of Valley View Lane and Templeton Trail
Remove three school zone locations no longer being utilized along:
Longmeade Drive, between Janwood Lane and Sundown Trail
Tom Field Road, between Danny Lane and Farmers Branch Lane, and
Farmers Branch Lane, from a point which is located 100 feet west of Selma Lane to 150 feet west of Tom Field.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Financial Impact
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends adopting Ordinance No. 3533 amending the City of Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Chapter 82, Traffic and Vehicles, Article II, Division 2, Section 82-34 “Speed Limits” by establishing a speed limit on certain streets and Division 7, Section 82-122 “School Zones”, amending and removing school zone locations; Article III, Division 3, Section 82-245 “Specific Weight Limits” on Mercer Parkway.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 3533 amending Chapter 82, Traffic and Vehicles, Article II, Division 2, Section 82-34 “Speed Limits” by establishing a speed limit on certain streets and Division 7, Section 82-122 “School Zones”, amending and removing school zone locations; Article III, Division 3, Section 82-245 “Specific Weight Limits” on Mercer Parkway.
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 3533 amending Chapter 82, Traffic and Vehicles, Article II, Division 2, Section 82-34 “Speed Limits” by establishing a speed limit on certain streets and Division 7, Section 82-122 “School Zones”, amending and removing school zone locations; Article III, Division 3, Section 82-245 “Specific Weight Limits” on Mercer Parkway, with modifications.
3. Table this action.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Location Map - Speed Limits
2. Location Map - School Zone
2. Ordinance No. 3533