HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-2260 - Ordinance - 08/28/1997ORDINANCE NO. 2 2 6 0
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10, SECTION 2, OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION AND ADOPTION OF A SCHED~
FOR THE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES INVENTORY AND BY ADDING A NEW
SUBSECTION _"M" PERTAINING TO EMERGENCY 911 GATES AND THE
INSTALLATIONSt-OF SAME ON BENT TREE DRIVE AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH
SEBESTA ROASt)_; PROVIDING A SEVERABIL1TY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING A
PENALTY.
WHEREAS, cut-through traffic in the Emerald Forest Subdivision began several years ago when
the East Bypass Frontage Roads were converted to one-way operation;
WHEREAS, most traffic traveling between Emerald Forest Parkway and Sebesta Road uses the
residential streets of DriRwood, C-reenleaf and Bent Tree Drive as a cut-through route which
results in traffic volumes on Driftwood Drive in excess of what is considered desirable for a
residential street;
WHEREAS, the City Council at its regular meeting on September 26, 1996, approved partially
closing Bent Tree Drive at Sebesta Road with the condition that this measure to reduce cut-
through traffic be tested on a trial basis prior to it being permanently installed;
WHEREAS, the City of College Station tested a full and partial closing of the intersection of Bent
Tree Drive and Sebesta Road on a trial basis and found both measures effective at removing cut-
through traffic from the residential streets and routing it to wider streets for which it is intended;
WHEREAS, representatives of the Emerald Forest Homeowner's Association as well as
numerous other residents of this subdivision have worked closely with the City on this matter and
have provided assistance by petitioning and notifying affected residents regarding the test closures
on Bent Tree Drive at Sebesta Road;
WHEREAS, the City of College Statio~ has carefully studied the effects of closing Bent Tre~
Drive at Sebesta Road and made the following findings: (1) there are acceptable alternative routes
for the cut-through traffic that would be diverted; (2) the closing would not result in shifting
traffic to other residential streets; and (3) the closing would have a minimal effect on emergency
response time;
WHEREAS, the Emerald Forest Homeowner's Association has compared the effects of a full
closing verses v. partial closing and has requested that the City fully close Bent Tree Drive at
Sebesta Road with the installation of an Emergency 911 gate at this intersection; and
WHEREAS, the City Council met at its regular meeting on August 28, 1997, and found that it
would be in the best interest and safety of the citizens to amend Chapter 10, Section 2, of the
Code of Ordinances by adding a new subsection providing for the installation of emergency 911
gates on certain city streets and installing the same on Bent Tree Drive at its intersection with
Sebesta Road such that traffic on Bent Tree Drive is not allowed to access Sebesta Road;
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ORDINANCE NO. 2 2 6 0
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLLEGE
STATION:
That Chapter 10,~ection 2, of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by adding a new
Subsection "lVl" t~r_ead as follows:
"M. EMERGENCY 911 GATES
The City hereby designates certain city streets to be closed to traffic with the
installation of an Emergency 911 Gate. The designated streets on which these
gates are installed are described in Traffic Control Device Inventory - Schedule X,
(dated Augnst 28, 1997) on file in the office of the City Secretary. This schedule
is hereby adopted and incorporated in this Code as if set out at length herein and
designates the following streets to be closed to traffic with an Emergency 911
Gate:
Bent Tree Drive at its intersection with Sebesta Road
The foregoing schedule may be amended from time to time by ordinance of the
City council. A current schedule shall be maintained by the City Secretary at all
times."
II.
That if any provisions of any section of this ordinance shall be held to be void or unconstitutional,
such holding shall in no way effect the validity of the remaining provisions or sections of this
ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect.
IH.
That any person, finn, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not
less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). Each
day such violation shall continue or bo permitted to continue, shall be deemed a separate offense.
Said Ordinance, being a penal ordinance, becomes effective ten (10) days aider its publication in
the newspaper, as provided by Section 35 of the Charter of the City of College Station.
PASSED, ADOPTED and APPROVED this 28th day of Ausust, 1997.
APPROVED:
ATTBST:
CONNIE HOOKS, City Secretary
LYNN McILHANEY, Mayo~
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