During a Nov. 4. New Braunfels City Council meeting, Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney and Transportation and Construction Services Director Garry Ford updated City Council on some of the possible changes to the plan, including additions, removals and changes to right of way plans.
A quick note
The 2012 plan was coordinated with the city of Seguin, Comal and Guadalupe counties, the Alamo Area Metropolitan Organization and the Texas Department of Transportation. The Thoroughfare Plan identifies major existing and proposed roadways within the city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction and serves as a comprehensive document to help the city guide growth, preserve rights of way and plan for future transportation needs.
The plan update uses new data and public feedback to account for new projections of future needs for the city.
“We talk about responsible growth, and the Thoroughfare Plan is one of the tools we have in our toolkit to manage growth in our community,” Matney said.
Digging deeper
The updated plan proposes a west connector from SH 46 to FM 2722, development at Sauvignon Creek and Wilbur Way, and extensions to existing roads such as Brooke Avenue, River Oaks Drive, Elm Creek Road and FM 758 Outer Loop—roads proposed for removal, as they are no longer necessary due to new development, according to the city's website.
The city is also planning a study in hopes of remaining consistent with Guadalupe County and Seguin's current plan update efforts, according to the presentation.
Another proposed update to the plan aims to help with emergency service response times and reduce them by two minutes, within the National Fire Protection Association’s standards of four- to five-minute response times, according to the association.
The city held an open comment period from May 22 to Oct. 15, where residents could give feedback on the current plan by mail, through the city's website, email or voicemail. The city received 362 comments total.
The most common feedback showed apprehension in new growth, preserving property values, environmental concerns over wildlife and floodplain issues following continued development, Matney said.
What they're saying
Residents in the affected areas spoke out against the plan. Jodi Smith, a Seminole Lane resident, said her driveway could be cut off by the proposed changes and that it would make it more difficult to load and unload her father, who is disabled, into his truck.
“At what point do I have a right to be safe in my home, and to have egress to my home, and to be able to have my father in my own driveway to unload him safely,” Smith said.
Other residents, like Justin Meadows, applauded the proposed updates and said the community's safety should be placed above any other desires—whether personal in nature or not.
“I understand that this particular update may be more important to some than it appears to be for others,” Meadows said. “But please remember that this update is important to all of us.”
Looking ahead
Although the official comment period ended Oct. 15, city staff will still meet with property owners and interested residents. Members of the public can still provide comments during the normal course of the public hearing process for City Council's consideration, according to the city.
Proposed updates to the plan are expected to be presented at a Dec. 8 council meeting, where, if approved, City Council will establish an effective date for implementing the plan.
