Oak Ridge North’s City Council meeting on Sept. 26 updated residents on transportation initiatives, rezoning petitions and technology projects happening in the city.

Here are the three major things that were established at last night’s meeting:

1. Woodlands Parkway overpass design

Megan Sierks, a representative of engineering and consulting firm BGE, presented project initiatives for the overpass that the firm has been designing on behalf of Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack.

“We were asked by Commissioner Noack to take a look at this interchange and determine what kind of improvements we could put in place as a short-term improvement, since the intersection has been studied and identified as ideal location for [a single urban point interchange], which was presented to TxDOT and put on hold,” Sierks said. “TxDOT has asked for no significant structure changes to I-45 while they study it to determine multiple interchanges.”

Sierks said the interchange is one of the worst in the area. The project to improve the interchange would move forward with the idea of signalized intersections, or a standard diamond, in which existing free flowing ramps would be turned into stop controlled movement in two locations.

The plan is not a long-term solution, but a 10-year solution to get through the interim so TxDOT can complete a corridor study and determine what it wants to implement as a final intersection improvement.

2. Robinson Road commercial zoning

Oak Ridge North City Council members unanimously decided that the city’s Planning and Zoning committee should continue moving forward with citizens who want to rezone their homes on Robinson Road from commercial to residential zoning.

Residents have made it clear to P&Z department members that they want the proposed zoning change to include an option for selling their homes in the future, or to convert their homes into a business. If the commercial zoning request goes through, homes will be transformed to businesses rather than strip centers.

Council Member Michelle Cassio addressed P&Z members and said Robinson Road will always be an issue for residents, so homeowners should have the ability to sell their houses.

“I think you guys should move forward,” Cassio said. “Something is going to happen on Robinson Road and it’s better to be prepared.”

Council Member Tom Coale also agreed that the committee should keep discussing the rezoning petition and keep both residents and council informed.

“If you guys are ready for it, we can do it,” Coale said. “P&Z needs to go forward and start defining what decisions need to be made. We have quite a bit of input.”

3.Installation of small cell solution nodes

The council approved and authorized the installment of five small cell solution nodes in certain locations in the public right of way across the city. The installation is the result of a deal with Crown Castle and will improve cell service for Oak Ridge North residents.

 

City Council meetings for Oak Ridge North are held at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at Oak Ridge North City Hall.