Bee Cave regulates use of city’s rights of way

Bee Cave officials established an application and approval process for use of its rights of way during the Nov. 12 regular City Council meeting.

City documents state Bee Cave did not have an outline in place for the basic process within its code of ordinances “for submittal and approval of a license agreement for use of its right-of-way.”

Local municipalities have regulatory authority over their roadways and associated rights of way according to state law, and city information also states the new ordinance would address a safety concern for drivers as well as financial concerns regarding potential damage to public infrastructure.

The new ordinance states no encroachments can be placed within a right of way without consent from the city and creates a framework for how to submit a license agreement to applicable Bee Cave staff members.

Any agreements for use of a right of way lasting up to 30 days may be approved by the city manager, and agreements longer than 30 days must come before City Council for a vote, according to the ordinance.

One example of the need for the ordinance described by city staff involves a home owners association requesting the decoration of signage along a city right of way.