This resolution follows the Jan. 14 Commissioners Court decision to not expand the roadway, in a 4-1 vote. Per the transportation code, a unanimous vote is required for the roadway expansion to move forward.
What’s happening?
On Jan. 14, Pulte Group, BoerneBak LLC and Boerne ISD submitted a petition to the Commissioners Court to relocate a portion of Corley Road, resulting in a dedication of right of way, construction of roadway and, ultimately, abandonment of a portion of right of way upon acceptance of roadway improvements.
Following the failure of the petition, the BISD board of trustees adopted a resolution for the court to revisit the item and approve the road expansion, which would help alleviate traffic congestion at Viola Wilson Elementary by utilizing the expanded road as an exit for buses and staff vehicles, Executive Director of Operations Ramiro Guerrero said.
“It will send the buses behind the school, therefore it opens up the traffic flow in front of the school,” Guerrero said. “But more importantly, the exit in the back would help the campus, the kids, in case of an emergency.”
Guerrero said Viola Wilson Elementary was designed with the road expansion in mind, and the district was confident the expansion would be improved. The road expansion was part of a development agreement from the developer.
Trustee Rich Sena asked staff about any ramifications due to the delay of the expansion, which Guerrero explained could lead to some lost funds from the district due to the contractor demobilizing from the work area.
While a definite number could not be provided, Guerrero said the amount of money the district could lose is dependent on the timeliness of getting the expansion approved.
BISD leaders shared the resolution with the Commissioners Court during the Feb. 25 meeting.
How we got here
During a Feb. 14 Commissioners Court presentation, County Engineer Mary Ellen Schulle said a conflict for the expansion was identified due to a gas transmission line being in the expansion area.
Due to this conflict, the developer proposed realigning the intersection of Corley Road and Scenic Loop Road approximately 500 feet to the north of the current intersection.
County engineer findings were that the changes would be safe and meet roadway requirements.
This item required a unanimous vote from the Commissioners Court to pass, but failed by one vote cast by Commissioner Jennifer McCall, who discussed not having enough background information on the project during the Jan. 14 meeting.
Despite the failure of the proposed realignment, the legal council on Jan. 14 told the Commissioners Court that the proposal can be brought back during a future meeting, meaning approval of the expansion remains a possibility.
