DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Major Thoroughfare Plan Amendment - East & West Connector
SUMMARY:
Consideration of a request to amend the Major Thoroughfare Plan, a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by re-aligning and re-designating a proposed segment of the East & West Connector from an Enhanced Secondary Arterial (120' to 142' of right-of-way) to a Secondary Arterial Type A (86' of right-of-way) generally located in southern Bexar County, between Roosevelt Avenue and the San Antonio River.
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 in an optimal and efficient manner through right-of-way dedication for future roads. The MTP was adopted by City Council through Ordinance 49818 on September 21, 1978. The MTP has been amended several times through the years to calibrate and realign the thoroughfares along with development of the greater San Antonio metropolitan area. The MTP is generally built as development occurs. In 2003, the East & West Connector between Roosevelt Avenue to the San Antonio River was designated as an Enhanced Secondary Arterial on the MTP by City Council through Ordinance 98282.
ISSUE:
The request is to realign and redesignate a proposed segment of the East & West Connector from an Enhanced Secondary Arterial (120' to 142' of right-of-way) to a Secondary Arterial Type A (86' of right-of-way) generally located in southern Bexar County, between Roosevelt Avenue and the San Antonio River. The alignment as adopted is within one mile of the Mission Espada and just south of the constructed San Antonio River Mission Reach. A realignment amendment is needed in order to preserve the historic significance of the mission and to preserve the open space surrounding it. The currently adopted alignment also bisects a significant portion of the 100-year floodplain.
The East & West Connector is not the only adopted thoroughfare that runs east-west in southern Bexar County. The Kelly Parkway, designated as a Super Arterial Type A, is less than 3 miles south of the East & West Connector. With the realignment of the East & West Connector, east-west connectivity will be supported by the adopted Kelly Parkway alignment. The adopted Kelly Parkway will be able to increase connectivity in southern Bexar County without intersecting significant amounts of the 100-year floodplain and conflicting with historically significant areas. This makes the Kelly Parkway alignment more feasible and a preferred option than the East & West Connector.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee could choose not to recommend approval of the MTP amendment to realign and redesignate the East & West Connector 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 the minimum 120 feet of right-of-way to meet the requirements of the MTP.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this amendment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a recommendation to the Planning Commission to amend the Major Thoroughfare Plan, a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by re-aligning and re-designating a proposed segment of the East & West Connector from an Enhanced Secondary Arterial (120' to 142' of right-of-way) to a Secondary Arterial Type A (86' of right-of-way) generally located in southern Bexar County, between Roosevelt Avenue and the San Antonio River.