Newly constructed Preston Elementary experienced the first year of school during the 2017/2018 school year.  During that time, there was no need for a school zone, as no children crossed any of the streets in the neighborhood.  Now, with additional new home construction expected to take place in the neighborhood adjacent to Preston before the end of the 2018/2019 school year, it is time to establish a school zone for Preston Elementary, enabling City staff to install signs prior to the start of the school year.

The Director of Engineering has determined the locations on Baugh Drive, Hilliard Drive, and Tillman Drive for school zones to provide safe routes to school. While neighborhood development is under construction and the sidewalk along Baugh Drive incomplete, staff also recommends temporary school zones on a portion of Baugh Drive and Chelsea Boulevard. The school zone on Chelsea Boulevard is only needed when children must cross Baugh Drive at Chelsea Boulevard.  Children will only be crossing Baugh Drive at Chelsea Boulevard while homes are being constructed along the south side of Baugh Drive.  Once all homes (and associated sidewalks) are built along the south side of Baugh Drive, children will no longer cross Baugh Drive.  At that point-in-time, the school zone on Chelsea Boulevard will no longer exist, and the school zone on Baugh Drive will be reduced to the segment closest to Preston Elementary.

The streets impacted by the new school zone are illustrated in the attached location map, but described in greater detail in the proposed ordinance (including the sections with a "sunset" provision).

The Allen Independent School District has been consulted in this effort, has endorsed the proposed plan, and has made a commitment to station new crossing guards to serve the school.

Staff anticipates no budgetary impact.  Adequate funds for the new signage and striping are available in the existing operating budget for the Traffic Division of the Engineering Department.

Staff recommends adopting an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 9-137(b), in order to create the school zone for Preston Elementary.

I make a motion to adopt Ordinance No.____________ amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 9-137(b), in order to create a school zone for Preston Elementary.