For years, residents near Eanes Elementary School have voiced safety concerns to West Lake Hills officials regarding parent drop-off and pickup traffic. At a May 8 meeting, City Council and city staff discussed possible solutions to implement over the summer.
The gist
During the meeting, city staff discussed areas affected by parent traffic during peak pickup and drop-off times, including Westhaven Drive and McConnell Drive, which are residential streets across from the school.
"Parents park up and down on both sides of the streets so emergency vehicles or even an SUV would have trouble passing," Mayor Linda Anthony said.
What's been done
Anthony said while the city has taken immediate action by instructing patrol officers to make routine rounds of the areas, she recommended a more permanent solution such as no parking signs.
The city also began reaching out to nearby business owners to use more parking lots during peak hours, Lt. Robert Mills said.
Additionally, Mills said the city has attempted to work with the school to communicate with parents about appropriate pickup and drop-off practices.
"I don't really know how much you can change parental behavior. ... It's only going to get worse for the next year and a half, as City Hall will no longer be a parking option," Anthony said, referring to construction on the new West Lake Hills municipal complex across the street from the school.
Ultimately, council made no motion on the agenda item, but Jennifer Bills, the director of building and development services, said they will get with school officials to find a solution over the summer.
Quote of note
"There's too many cars and too much traffic, and frankly it's not safe to the kids. I'm all for a solution," said Dana Harmon, a soon-to-be council member and parent of an Eanes ISD student.
Also of note
Officials also discussed the lack of consistent crossing guards at EISD, especially for escorting the students across Bee Caves Road.
