Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Modifying School Zones, Crosswalks, Parking Restrictions, Bus Stops and Bus Loading Zones at Various Schools in McKinney for 2015
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: June 16, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Robyn Root, PE, PTOE, Traffic Engineer
Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Transportation and CIP Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approval of this Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· This Ordinance will accomplish the following:
o Modify the school zones and crosswalks for Caldwell Elementary School and Burks Elementary School to reflect the recommended changes to the length of the reduced speed school zones.
o Rescind the Ordinance establishing the parking restrictions on the streets adjacent to Caldwell Elementary School and Burks Elementary School (hereby allowing any modifications to be made under the authority of the Traffic Engineer).
o Rescind the Ordinance establishing bus stops and bus loading zones for Burks Elementary School on Graves Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· During the development of the Virginia and Louisiana Streets Traffic Calming Project, City Staff visited with the crossing guards for Caldwell Elementary School to determine what things could be done to make the school crossing safer.
· The crossing guards for Caldwell Elementary School requested the reduced speed school zones be shortened to help discourage excessive speeding at the school crossings.
· The crossing guards observed vehicular traffic slowing for the start of the reduced speed school zone but would increase their speed by the time the school crossing was reached. The crossing guards felt the school zones were too long.
· Research has shown that vehicular speeds do increase within a reduced speed school zone the longer the school zone length is. To be the most effective the length should be as short as practical.
· City Staff worked with McKinney ISD Staff to determine the new length of the reduced speed school zones for both Caldwell Elementary School and Burks Elementary School.
· The location of the proposed reduced speed school zones and crosswalks for these schools are shown in the attached exhibits. The school crosswalks shown are locations of the adult crossing guards.
· In 2008, City Council delegated to the Traffic Engineer the authority for parking regulations within McKinney.
· The existing parking regulations at both Caldwell Elementary School and Burks Elementary School were established prior to 2008 by an ordinance specific to this area. In order for modifications of the parking regulations to be made under the authority of the Traffic Engineer near these schools, it is recommended the parking Ordinances be repealed.
· Although there are no parking modifications planned at this time for either school, repealing the parking Ordinances will eliminate the need for additional action by City Council on this matter in the future.
· In 1982, a bus stop and a bus stop loading zone was established on Graves for Burks Elementary School to prohibit parking, stopping, or standing of vehicles in the reserved space so the school may load/unload school bus passengers.
· In recent years, McKinney ISD constructed a driveway for the bus loading and unloading on the Burks Elementary School site making this Ordinance for a bus stop loading zone unnecessary.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· Funds for this item are available in the operating budget of the Public Works Department.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
· N/A