STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Transportation & Infrastructure
AGENDA DATE: February 14, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 5, 8
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation
EXECUTIVE: Dr. Robert Perez
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SUBJECT
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A public hearing to receive comments to amend Ordinance No. 20860, “City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan” to change the designation of Elam Road between Pemberton Hill Road and Jim Miller Road from a minor six-lane divided roadway in 100 feet of right-of-way [M-6-D(a)] to a special two-lane undivided roadway with a shared-use path on the north side of the roadway in 75 feet of right-of-way [SPCL 2U]; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize an ordinance implementing the change - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
The City of Dallas Department of Transportation has requested an amendment to the City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan on Elam Road between Pemberton Hill Road and Jim Miller Road to facilitate a Safe Routes to School project. This section of Elam Road is on the Thoroughfare Plan as a six-lane divided roadway in 100 feet of right-of-way [M-6-D(a)]. The roadway currently exists as a two-lane undivided roadway in 55 to 106 feet of right-of-way. The proposal is to change the designation on the Thoroughfare Plan to a special two-lane undivided roadway with a shared-use path on the north side of the road in 75 feet of right-of-way [SPCL 2U].
The proposed amendment to this section of Elam Road resulted from a 2020 North Central Texas Council of Government’s Safe Routes to School call for projects that was submitted in May 2020 and was awarded to the City of Dallas in September 2020. The application was submitted with a support letter from the Pleasant Grove Unidos Neighborhood Association stating they support the application and the proposed improvements. This project is also in compliance with the September 2017 Pemberton Hill Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan that recommended infrastructure improvements to redesign Elam Road to incorporate bicycle facilities and traffic calming elements.
This project will improve safety and comfort of pedestrians and bicyclist by creating a shared-use path on the north side of Elam Road.
This shared-use path is essentially a 10- to 12-foot sidewalk that can be used by pedestrians and bicyclists, and provide connections to Burleson Elementary School, Comstock Middle School, Pemberton Hill Park, Turner Recreation Center, Trinity Spine Trail, the shared-use path on Pemberton Hill Road, and eventually have a continuous bicycle connection to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Buckner Station. Additionally, this project will implement traffic calming by narrowing the roadway to slow vehicle speeds, provide additional space between the shared-use path and roadway, and curb extensions with indented parking at Burleson Elementary School.
A public meeting was held on January 26, 2023, to discuss the project purpose, overview, background, proposed improvements, and next steps. It was attended by 12 residents and seven City of Dallas staff members. There were three comments provided by attendees.
Staff recommends approval to amend the City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan to change the designation of Elam Road between Pemberton Hill Road and Jim Miller Road from a minor six-lane divided roadway in 100 feet of right-of-way [M-6-D(a)] to a special two-lane undivided roadway with a shared-use path on the north side of the roadway in 75 feet of right-of-way [SPCL 2U].
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On December 7, 2023, the City Plan Commission Thoroughfare Committee acted on this item and followed staff’s recommendation to approve the application.
On January 18, 2024, the City Plan Commission acted on this item and followed the City Plan Commission Thoroughfare Committee’s recommendation.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.
MAP
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