10-23-17 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Don Pennell, Director of Public Works DATE: September 26, 2017 RE: PARTIAL RIGHT-OF-WAY CLOSURE AT TROON DR/W S STREET INTERSECTION City Staff recently received an application to close a portion of the W S Street Right-of-Way (ROW) (ref. attached Exhibit 1) to allow for the installation of a motor-controlled access gate at the intersection of W S Street and Troon Drive. W S Street is currently Public ROW, while Troon Dr. exists as Private Street within a Private Access Easement, per the attached plat. Per the applicants request, the safety to restrict traffic review of the applicants request, the following items should be considered: Future development of the tract of land immediately to the north of the Retreat at Bay Forest Subdivision (currently Zoned R-1) would be limited due to nature in which the ROW is proposed for closure. o With the gate fully open, there is potential for it to extend into future travel lanes o It would not be feasible to extend W S Street to the west due to inconsistency of the ROW. Access gate increases response time for emergency services/first responders. Existing fire hydrant used to service the neighborhood during emergencies would be located behind access gate. Alternative options: Orient sliding gate to open parallel to ROW/property line, such that gate does not open into ROW/potential future lane(s) of travel; very minimal impact to future development. Install vertically opening gate (ref. attached Exhibit 2); very minimal impact to future development. Given the above listed alternative(s), no hardship has been presented that warrants closure of the ROW, as requested by the applicant, as the only option for achieving the desired result of providing safety and limiting traffic within the Bay Forest Subdivision. Recommendation: Do not close ROW as proposed. Attachments: Bay Forest North Subdivision Plat, Exhibit1, Exhibit 2