DEPARTMENT: Transportation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tomika Monterville, MSP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Major Thoroughfare Plan Amendment: East & West Connector and Abbott 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 East & West Connector, a Secondary Arterial Type A requiring 86 feet of right-of way, between existing Graytown Road and existing Abbott Road, and designating an existing segment of Abbott Road as a Secondary Arterial Type A, requiring 86 feet right-of-way, between approximately 3,250 feet north of the existing intersection of Graytown Road & Abbott Road and existing FM 1346.
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. East & West Connector and Abbott Road 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 East & West Connector, a Secondary Arterial Type A requiring 86 feet of right-of way, between existing Graytown Road and existing Abbott Road, and designating an existing segment of Abbott Road as a Secondary Arterial Type A, requiring 86 feet right-of-way, between approximately 3,250 feet north of the existing intersection of Graytown Road & Abbott Road and existing FM 1346.
The alignments as adopted currently do not follow the existing Graytown Road and Abbott Road. As currently shown, the adopted East & West Connector does not tie in with the existing Graytown Road-Abbott Road intersection. Instead, it bisects existing properties in half and creates a upside down “Y” intersection at Abbott Road. The proposed realignment follows the existing roads and maintains the existing Graytown Road-Abbott Road intersection. The proposed realignment of the East and West Connector also extends the alignment east for approximately 1.05 miles to existing FM 1518.
The designation of an existing segment of Abbott Road is meant to provide a better connection between FM 1346 and FM 1518. Currently, the approximate ROW width of Abbott Road is 55 feet. Designating Abbott Road as a Secondary Arterial Type A in the MTP will require any future development along the alignment to dedicate the minimum 86 feet of right-of-way to meet the requirements of the MTP. This increase of ROW width will allow for future infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, bike facilities, transit lanes, etc.
A property owner is initiating an MTP amendment west of the adopted alignment in conjunction with the amendment describe in this memo.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to authorize the MTP amendment to realign East & West Connector and designate Abbott 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 an ordinance amending the Major Thoroughfare Plan (MTP), a component of the City of San Antonio Master Plan, by realigning a proposed segment of East & West Connector, a Secondary Arterial Type A requiring 86 feet of right-of way, between existing Graytown Road and existing Abbott Road, and designating an existing segment of Abbott Road as a Secondary Arterial Type A, requiring 86 feet right-of-way, between approximately 3,250 feet north of the existing intersection of Graytown Road & Abbott Road and existing FM 1346.
The MTP Amendment for Beck Road was reviewed by the Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC) on April 12, 2021 and the Planning Commission on May 12, 2021.