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MEMORANDUM
TO: Tom Brymer, City Manager
FROM: Ken Fogle, Transportation Planner
CC: Glenn Brown, Assistant City Manager
Joey Dunn, Development Services Director
Jane Kee, City Planner
DATE: August 31, 2004
RE: Appomattox Drive - Comprehensive Plan Amendment Request
We are currently processing a comprehensive plan amendment request by the Lone Star Subdivision
to remove Appomattox Drive from the City's thoroughfare plan. There has been significant amount of
activity that has taken place on this project and, most recently, the Windwood Neighborhood
Association has corresponded to staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Council. With
this, I thought it would be wise to fill you in on the status of the project.
The Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council heard this item at their August 5th and
August 9th meetings, respectively. They both concurred that staff should meet with representatives
from the Windwood neighborhood and the developers of Horse Haven Estates and Lone Star
Subdivision developments to find an amenable alterative to this issue.
In preparation for this meeting, staff prepared layouts and cost estimates for several alternatives. The
alternatives that were considered came from the East Bypass Small Area Action Plan and from those
developed by the Windwood Neighborhood Association. Staff did not prepare layouts and cost
estimates for several of these alternatives because they involved converting the Switch Station Road
to a one -way street. Staff has stated on several occasions that alternatives involving this conversion
would not be considered as it degrades College Station Utilities access into the switch station and that
enforcement of the one -way operation would be difficult and could become a safety issue.
During our meeting with the neighborhood and the developers on August 25th, staff presented each of
these alternatives and discussed them generally with the group. In addition, staff presented another
alternative that had been previously discussed with the developer of the Lone Star Subdivision. This
alternative would provide a thoroughfare connection between Horse Haven Lane and Switch Station
Road. Since this roadway would be built to a minor collector standard, would provide the desired
thoroughfare connection, and lies within 1000 feet of the proposed Appomattox Drive extension, staff
recommended that it would meet the intent of the thoroughfare plan and would not require a
thoroughfare plan amendment.
Each of the attendees at the meeting agreed that this was the best alternative, with the exception of the
Windwood Neighborhood Association. Their representatives are adamant that Switch Station Road
be constructed as a one -way street to minimize cut - through traffic through their neighborhood. Staff
presented an alternative that would allow Switch Station Road to operate as a two -way street, but
preclude traffic from entering the Windwood neighborhood. At the meeting, they appeared to be
amenable to this alternative.
The Windwood Neighborhood Association representatives also requested that staff not allow the
platting of the Lone Star Subdivision until the neighborhood can review this alternative and make an
opinion on it. Staff advised them that once the developer submits a plat, it must be reviewed within
30 days or be automatically approved. In addition, if the plat meets the City's Subdivision
Regulations, the Planning and Zoning Commission is obligated to approve it.
At the conclusion of the meeting, staff agreed to summarize the alternative that is being pursued by
the Lone Star Subdivision and identify alternatives of how the Windwood neighborhood can interface
with Switch Station Road and the developing area.
I hope this helps you understand the course of events that have taken place. If you have any questions
or comments about this project, please contact me.