Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance to Modify the Reduced Speed School Zones, Designated Crosswalks, Parking Restrictions, and Bus Loading Zones for Finch 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 Remove the reduced speed school zone along Chestnut Street and the associated designated crosswalk location at the intersection of Chestnut Street at Tennessee Street for Finch Elementary School, as established in the Code of Ordinances.
o Modify the reduced speed school zones for Finch Elementary School as established in the Code of Ordinances to reflect the actual locations of the existing reduced speed school zones as signed and marked in the field.
o Rescind Section 62-262 and Section 62-263 of the Code of Ordinances which establish parking restrictions on the streets adjacent to Finch Elementary School.
o Rescind Section 62-265, Section 62-266, and Section 62-267 of the Code of Ordinances which establish a bus loading and unloading zone for Finch Elementary School on Elm Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The primary purpose of a reduced speed school zone is to improve safety for student pedestrians at crosswalk locations. The current developments east of Finch Elementary School are commercial and thus students are not required to cross Chestnut Street along their routes to school. Additionally, students residing on the east side of McDonald Street are provided with bus service to school. Therefore it is recommended to remove the designated crosswalks at the intersection of Elm Street and Chestnut Street as well as the associated reduced speed school zone along Chestnut Street.
• Due to commercial development and associated driveway construction along both Elm Street and Tennessee Street which has occurred over the years, modifications were made to the locations of the reduced speed school zone signs for Finch Elementary School. This Item will revise Section 62-260 of the Code of Ordinances to reflect the actual limits of the existing reduced speed school zone, as signed in the field.
• The locations of the proposed reduced speed school zones and designated school crosswalks for Finch Elementary School are shown in the attached exhibit.
• The existing parking regulations at Finch Elementary School were established prior to 2008 by an ordinance specific to this area. Section 62-381.1 of the Code of Ordinances authorizes the Director of Engineering to install or remove signage restricting parking without need for additional ordinances. Rescinding this Ordinance will not affect the “No Parking” zones around and adjacent to the school.
• Years ago, McKinney ISD constructed a driveway for school bus loading and unloading on the Finch Elementary School site, and discontinued use of the on-street bus stop loading zones as are established in Section 62-265, Section 62-266, and Section 62-267 of the Code of Ordinances. It is Staff’s recommendation that these designated school bus loading zones be removed from the Code of Ordinances.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• Funds to modify the school zone flasher units and other traffic control devices related to these school zone modifications are available in the operating budget of the Engineering Department.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A