Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Establishing a Reduced Speed School Zone on Virginia Parkway for Hughes Elementary School, on Independence Parkway for Hughes Elementary School, and on Wilmeth Road for Baker Elementary School
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2E. Continuously Provide a High Level of Customer Service to our Citizens)
MEETING DATE: August 6, 2018
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/ Engineering
CONTACT: Robyn Root, P.E., P.T.O.E., Traffic Engineer
Matt Tilke, P.E., Transportation Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of this Ordinance
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Ordinance will accomplish the following:
o Establish a reduced speed school zone on Virginia Parkway at Bluestem Drive for Hughes Elementary.
o Establish a reduced speed school zone on Independence Parkway at Bluestem Drive for Hughes Elementary.
o Establish a reduced speed school zone on Wilmeth Road at Sunnyside Drive for Baker Elementary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Effective for the 2018-2019 school year, Prosper ISD (PISD) has eliminated school bus transportation for students residing in some portions of the school attendance boundaries of Hughes Elementary School. The removal of school bus service will result in students needing to cross either Virginia Parkway or Independence Parkway along their respective designated routes to school.
• Specifically, the removal of school bus service by PISD impacts students residing in the neighborhoods of Valor Pointe of Westridge and the Reserve of Westridge located on the south side of Virginia Parkway, as well as students residing in the neighborhood of Fossil Creek of Westridge located on the east side of Independence Parkway.
• PISD plans to provide a crossing guard on Virginia Parkway at Bluestem Drive and on Independence Parkway at Bluestem Drive for the student pedestrians who will be crossing at these intersections.
• PISD has requested, and Staff recommends, establishment of reduced speed school zones along Virginia Parkway at Bluestem Drive and along Independence Parkway at Bluestem Drive.
• The location of the proposed reduced speed school zones for Hughes Elementary are shown in the attached exhibits.
• PISD Staff has indicated that the District has been providing a crossing guard for Baker Elementary School students at the intersection of Wilmeth Road at Sunnyside Drive. This location currently does not have a reduced speed school zone. In the interest of student safety, Staff proposes the establishment of a reduced speed school zone to be installed along Wilmeth Road at Sunnyside Drive.
• The location of the proposed reduced speed school zone for Baker Elementary is shown in the attached exhibit.
• The school zone time periods for each of the reduced speed school zones included in this Item will be consistent with the Prosper ISD school schedule.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• Funds to install the reduced speed school zone signage and other traffic control devices related to these school zone installations are available in the operating budget of the Engineering Department.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A