DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Major Thoroughfare Plan Amendment: Walzem Road and Binz-Engleman Road
SUMMARY:
Consideration of a request to amend the Major Thoroughfare Plan, a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by realigning a proposed segment of Walzem Road and removing a proposed segment of Binz-Engleman Road, with Walzem Road to remain designated as a Secondary Arterial Type A (86 feet of right-of-way), generally located in northeast Bexar County, between FM 78 and FM 1516.
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.
Previous Council Action
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 2010, by Ordinance 2010-09-023-0762, the City of San Antonio City Council amended the MTP to realign Binz-Engleman Road to its current configuration.
ISSUE:
The request is to amend the Major Thoroughfare Plan, a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by realigning a proposed segment of Walzem Road and removing a proposed segment of Binz-Engleman Road, with Walzem to remain a designated as Secondary Arterial Type A (86 feet of right-of-way), generally located in northeast Bexar County, between FM 78 and FM 1516.
Walzem Road currently terminates at Ferrysage Drive, a local street, and does not continue south. The adopted alignment within the MTP extends Walzem Road south, tying into the existing signalized intersection of FM 1516, Binz-Engleman Road, and Martinez Converse Road. This proposed alignment would create a five-point intersection at the junction of Walzem Road, FM 1516, Binz-Engleman Road, and Martinez Converse Road.
FM 1516 is owned by the Texas Department of Transportation, and TxDOT has scheduled minor improvements at the intersection in question. TxDOT has noted safety and operational concerns associated with a five-point intersection. These include: driver confusion due to atypical intersection; increased likelihood of a crash with three or more cars; and increased risk of head-on, side-impact, and t-bone crashes. The proposed realignment of Walzem Road would continue connectivity to FM 1516 while providing a safer and more efficient four-way intersection northeast of the proposed five-point intersection.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee could choose not to recommend approval of the MTP amendment to realign Walzem Road and remove a segment of Binz-Engleman 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 the minimum 86 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 realigning a proposed segment of Walzem Road and removing a proposed segment of Binz-Engleman Road, with Walzem Road to remain designated as a Secondary Arterial Type A (86 feet of right-of-way), generally located in northeast Bexar County, between FM 78 and FM 1516.