DEPARTMENT: Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Major Thoroughfare Plan Amendment: East & West Connector and Schuwirth Road
SUMMARY:
An ordinance amending the Major Thoroughfare Plan, a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by realigning a proposed segment of the East & West Connector from FM 1516 to Loop 1604 and a proposed segment of Schuwirth Road from FM 1346 to Loop 1604, generally located in eastern Bexar County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Major Thoroughfare Plan (MTP), adopted as a component of the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan, generally identifies the location for major roads within San Antonio and its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The MTP assures an adequate transportation network that works to move people, goods and services optimally and efficiently through right-of-way dedication for future roads.
Previous Council Action
City Council adopted the MTP through Ordinance No. 49818 on September 21, 1978. The MTP has been amended several times to calibrate and realign the thoroughfares along with development of the greater San Antonio metropolitan area. Generally, the MTP is built as development occurs. The East & West Connector from FM 1516 to Loop 1604 and Schuwirth Road from FM 1346 to Loop 1604 are both designated as a Secondary Arterial Type A on the MTP.
ISSUE:
This ordinance amends the Major Thoroughfare Plan, a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by realigning a proposed segment of the East and West Connector from FM 1516 to Loop 1604 and a proposed segment of Schuwirth Road from FM 1346 to Loop 1604, generally located in eastern Bexar County.
The adopted alignment of the East & West Connector and Schuwirth Road does not align with the existing Schuwirth road connecting FM 1346 to Loop 1604. The adopted alignment and proposed realignment of the East & West Connector requires new right-of-way to be dedicated on currently undeveloped land between FM 1516 and Schuwirth Road.
The Public Works Department recommends the MTP be amended to realign the proposed segments of the East & West Connector and Schuwirth on the existing right-of-way. The benefit of utilizing the existing right-of-way is no property owner would be required to dedicate the full 86 feet of right-of-way. However, the proposed realignment would require additional right-of-way dedication from several property owners in the future to satisfy the 86 feet of right-of-way required by the MTP. The proposed realignment will maintain the adopted alignment on the southern portion of Schuwirth Road. It is important to remove the jog between Schuwirth Road and Zigmont Road to create a four-way intersection that ties in these two roads together in the future, as improvements are needed.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to recommend the MTP amendment to realign the East and West Connector and Schuwirth Road in favor of keeping the adopted alignment unchanged. If the alignment remains unchanged as adopted, any future development along the alignment will need to dedicate a minimum of 86 feet of right-of-way to meet the MTP requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this amendment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance amending the Major Thoroughfare Plan (MTP), a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by realigning proposed segment of the East & West Connector from FM 1516 to Loop 1604 and a proposed segment of Schuwirth Road from FM 1346 to Loop 1604, generally located in eastern Bexar County.
The MTP Amendment for the East & West Connector and Schuwirth Road was reviewed by the Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC) on October 27, 2020 and the Planning Commission on November 18, 2020.