DEPARTMENT: Development Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Roderick J. Sanchez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 6
SUBJECT:
Street name change “Enrique M Barrera Pkwy/Historic Old Hwy 90 (Memorial Designation)” to “Old Hwy 90” S16-003
SUMMARY:
S16-003 (District 6): A resolution recommending denial of the street name request to change the name of “Enrique M Barrera Pkwy/Historic Old Hwy 90 (Memorial Designation)” to “Old Hwy 90” between U.S. Hwy 90 and Commerce Street. (continued from the August 10, 2016 meeting)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Applicants include: Michael Cooremans, owner 4M Auto Supply; Victor M. Aguilera, owner Aguilera Auto Parts; Hasmukh Patel, owner Sumitra, LLC.; Homero Guerrero, owner Warrior Tire: Electric Shop; Gurishkumar Patel, owner Bhagvan Inc. DBA: Rodeway Inn Lackland; Travel Inn; Javier Gutierrez, owner Del Bravo Record Shop; Frank and Cynthia De La Garza owner De La Garza Fence; Aurelio A. Franco, owner Old Danny’s Cocina; Ricardo J. Araua, owner US 90 Auto Center; Theresa & Johnny Hernandez, owners La Gloria Molino; Diana Morina, Owner, Ruben’s Garage, Inc; and Jahid Aragwala-AG, owner Save and Smile.
Owner of Street: City of San Antonio
Staff Coordinator: Donna Camacho, Sr. Planner (210) 207-5016
donna.camacho@sanantonio.gov
ANALYSIS:
Application received: July 19, 2016
Property Address Location: Generally located between U.S. Hwy 90 and Commerce Street.
Street Segment Size: Approximately twenty two thousand one hundred fifty eight (22,158) Linear Feet
Notification:
• Notices mailed July 27, 2016 to two hundred thirty-two (232) property owners abutting the segment of the street proposed for a name change;
• Development Services Department Website posting July 28, 2016;
• Internet Agenda Posting August 5, 2016; and
• To the present, staff has received seventy-three (73) written responses from the adjacent property owners in favor.
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
• City Public Service (“CPS”) Energy;
• Edgewood ISD
• San Antonio Water System (“SAWS”)
• TXDOT;
• United States Postal Service (“USPS”); and
• VIA Metropolitan Transit.
The City of San Antonio did not receive any objection or concerns to the proposed street name change from these agencies. The USPS approved the proposed street name on November 10, 2015 to change the name back to Old Hwy 90, in accordance with Section 6-675 of the City Code and 35-506(h)(1) of the Unified Development Code (“UDC”). (ATTACHMENT 2)
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.
The fees associated with the request total $32,044.00, paid by the applicant. The fees apply to $1,000.00 application fee, $1,044.00 notification fee, $20,000.00 Transportation and Capital Improvements Department (TCI) sign manufacturing and installation of twenty-four (24) - Overhead Street Name Signs and one hundred twenty-four (124) - D3 ground mounted Street Name signs and TXDOT sign estimated replacement fee of $10,000 for two (2) overhead signs on U.S. Hwy 90, which have been installed.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Evaluation Criteria:
In accordance with Section 6-672(d)(8) of the City Code, change of a street’s existing name should be done for a significant reason.
The applicant is requesting the street name change for the following reasons as noted in their application:
• To enhance a neighborhood through the association of a street name with its location, area characteristics, and history in accordance with Chapter 6 Section 672(d)(8) of the City Code.
• Many businesses are having to spend an excess amount of time explaining to customers that the address change is not because the business has moved locations.
• GPS systems and maps (including iPhone Maps) do not reflect the name change causing misdirections, frustration and confusion. Searches have sent customers to Enrique St. nearby, creating more misunderstandings.
• Business owners were initially ignored as more than 100 business owners opposed the original name change to Enrique M Barrera Pkwy.
• Of 226 notices that were mailed out to adjacent property owners (impacted community), a total of Zero (0) in favor of the name change were returned.
• The name change process has been puzzling as it was first presented as a way to ‘recognize Enrique M. Barrera for his service’ but has also been construed as a ‘safety precaution’ then yet again as a reason to revitalize the community and eliminate the word ‘old’. However, none of these reasons were requests made by community members/businesses owners of which the name change impacts most along Old Hwy 90 W.
ISSUES:
The street name of Old Hwy 90 was changed by Ordinance No. 2015-09-03-0747 on September 3, 2015 to Enrique M Barrera Pkwy with the memorial designation of “Historic Old Hwy 90” through a City Council Request. All of the signs on the COSA surface streets have been change to Enrique M Barrera Pkwy and the citizens have begun changing their addresses. TXDOT has manufactured and installed two (2) of the seventeen (17) signs along U.S. Hwy 90 and State Hwy 151.
Additional fees may be required depending on the outcome and consideration by City Council. The street signs for the recent ordinance 2015-09-03-0747 dated September 3, 2015 to change the name to Enrique M Barrera Pkwy with the Historic Old Hwy 90 Memorial Designation are in the process of being installed. TxDot has a Change Order date of January 1, 2017; any contract changes that occur after this date will incur additional fees. If City Council considers this item after this date and council supports the applicants’ request, the additional fees according to TxDot could amount to $100,000.00. The applicant is aware of this situation and has requested to continue the street name change process.
At this time, the TxDot Sign Replacement fee in the amount of $10,000.00 only covers the cost of two (2) signs on Hwy 90. If City Council action is taken prior to January 1, 2017 regardless of the outcome, there would be no additional fees owed.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve the applicants’ request.
RECOMMENDATION:
Given that City Council on September 3, 2015 changed the street name to Enrique M Barrera Pkwy, COSA street signs have only recently been installed. TxDot is in the process of installing new signs and property owners have started to update their addresses. To change the name of the street back to Old Hwy 90 at this time would cause confusion and in some cases a financial hardship for the citizens who have recently changed their addresses. Further, the proposed street name change is very similar to U.S. Hwy 90 and is not consistent with Chapter 6 Section 672(d) of City Code due to the conflicts with multiple street names, which may increase emergency response time. Staff recommends denial.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Aerial Map
2. USPS Approval Letter dated November 10, 2015