DEPARTMENT: Development Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Roderick Sanchez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
SUBJECT:
STREET NAME CHANGE CASE NO. S13-002 (District 2): An Ordinance authorizing the street name change of "Walzem Road" to "Branching Court" between the new alignment of Walzem Road (also known as FM 1976) and Gibbs-Sprawl Road, in City Council Distirct 2.
SUMMARY:
Case Number: S13-002
Applicant: City of San Antonio, Development Services Department
Current Street Name: Walzem Road
Requested Street Name: Branching Court
Reason for request: The City of San Antonio has duplicate streets named "Walzem Road" within its municipal boundary due to the realignment of Walzem Road (FM 1976)
General Location: Between the new alignment of Walzem Road (FM 1976) and Gibbs-Sprawl Road
Recommendation: Staff and Planning Commission recommend approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Planning Commission Hearing Date: April 9, 2014
Location: Walzem Road between the new alignment of Walzem Road (FM 1976) and Gibbs-Sprawl Road
Street Segment Size:
1,146 feet
Notices:
Notices were mailed April 23, 2014
-to 8 property owners abutting the segment of the street proposed for a name change.
-No registered neighborhood association within the segment of the street proposed for a name change.
Analysis:
The segment of the street proposed for a name change is located between the new alignment of Walzem Road (also known as FM 1976) and Gibbs-Sprawl Road. The segment of the street consists of approximately one thousand one hundred forty-six (1,146) linear feet. A total of eight (8) properties abut this segment, which consists of a restaurant, a gas station with a convenience store, and vacant properties.
The Texas Department of Transportation ("TXDOT") changed the alignment of the Walzem Road right-of-way circa 1982-1986 with the expansion of Walzem Road. The old alignment of Walzem Road maintained its existing street name, which resulted in the City having duplicate streets named "Walzem Road" within its municipal boundary. The duplicate street names create conflict when assigning addresses to existing and future development within the area, and presents safety concerns in the event emergency services are unable to locate the correct property in a timely manner. The proposed street name change will simplify the traffic patterns, enhance public safety, improve emergency response times, and minimize public confusion.
A. Inter-jurisdictional Review
In accordance with Section 6-675 of the City Code, the following agencies reviewed the proposed street name change request:
-Alamo Regional Mobility Authority.
-Bexar County;
-Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Network;
-City Public Service ("CPS") Energy;
-Judson Independent School District;
-Northeast Independent School District;
-San Antonio Water System ("SAWS");
-TXDOT;
-United States Postal Service ("USPS"); and
-VIA Metropolitan Transit.
The City of San Antonio did not receive any objections or concerns to the proposed street name change from these agencies. The USPS approved the proposed street name on January 6, 2014, in accordance with Sections 6-675 of the City Code and 35-506(h)(1) of the Unified Development Code ("UDC") (ATTACHMENT 2). In addition, TXDOT presented no objections to the City processing this Street Name Change request or on the proposed "Branching Court" name.
B. Interdepartmental Review
All City Departments reviewed the proposed request in accordance with Section 6-675 of the City Code. There were no objections or concerns to the proposed change or new street name from other City Departments.
ISSUE:
The issue is that duplicate street names exist within the City's municipal boundary and will create conflicts when assigning new addresses, and present safety concerns in the event emergency services are unable to locate the correct property in a timely manner.
ALTERNATIVES:
Denial of the street name change request will result in the existing street to retain its "Walzem Road" name and therefore, duplicate street names will remain causing safety issues.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost associated with this street name change request is $1,890.54. Of this amount, $1036.00 is for staff's review of the application that will be paid by Development Services Department, and Transportation and Capital Improvements Department will manufacture and install the signs at $854.54.
RECOMMENDATION:
In accordance with Section 6-672(d) of the City Code, change of a street's existing name should be done only for a significant reason. A significant reason includes, but is not limited to, to elimination of a name spelling and phonetics, and to enhance ease of location.
As previously stated, the old alignment of Walzem Road maintained its name when Walzem Road was expanded and realigned to intersect at a 90-degree angle with Gibbs-Sprawl Road. This caused the City to have two streets that are named alike. The duplicate names cause conflict when assigning new addresses, and presents confusion and safety concerns when locating a property. It should be noted that the majority of the properties located along the subject street segment are currently vacant. Should the name of the old alignment of Walzem Road remain the same, confusion and safety concerns will increase as these properties are developed. This is due to the potential of two properties at different locations with the same address.
Thus, the proposed name change meets the name change criteria of Section 6-672(d) of the City Code.