HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 3016 Amending Chapter 46 of the Code to Reduce Speed Limits to 25 mphCity of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
ORDINANCE NO. 3016
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY
PLACE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 46, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT FOR STREETS;
PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY UP TO $200.00 PER DAY FOR EACH VIOLATION;
REQUIRING PUBLICATION; AND MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT.
Whereas, Texas Transportation Code Section 545.356(a) provides that the City
Council may alter the prima facie speed limits for a highway or part of a highway (street)
in the City from the results of an engineering and traffic investigation; and
Whereas, the City Council has considered the results of an engineering and traffic
investigation by Traffic Engineers and city staff; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that the 30 mile per hour speed limit in an urban
district on a street in the City of West University Place is unreasonable and unsafe; and
Whereas, the City Council finds and declares that 25 miles per hour is the
maximum safe and reasonable speed for streets within the City that are not part of the
state highway system; and
Whereas, the speed limits set by City Council are effective when City Council
erects signs giving notice of the new limits;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS THAT:
Section 1. Preamble. The facts and matters set forth in the preamble of this
Ordinance are found to be true and correct and incorporated herein for all purposes.
Section 2. Sections 46-46, Speed zones, specific streets, and 46-47, Speed in
school areas, of Chapter 46, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of West University Place, Texas, are amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 46-46. - Speed zones.
(a) Unless a special hazard exists that requires a slower speed for compliance with Texas
Transportation Code Section 541.341(b) or a special speed zone is provided by this
section, the maximum lawful speed on a street is 25 miles per hour. A speed in excess
of 25 miles is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable and prudent and that
the speed is unlawful. No person shall drive a vehicle at a greater speed than 25 miles
per hour unless in a special speed zone establishing a higher speed limit.
(b) The following streets or portions thereof shall be designated as special speed zones
and it shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle thereon at a speed greater
than indicated as follows:
Street
Extent
Maximum
Miles Per
Hour
Bissonnet St.
From the east right-of-way of Academy Street to east
35
right-of-way of Southern Pacific Railroad
Auden, Rice Blvd.
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
site of the Community Building, Senior Center and
Library or the property known as 3771 Rice Blvd.
Nottingham,
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
Sunset Blvd.,
site of Wier Park
Belmont
Carnegie,
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
akeforest
site of Whitt Johnson Park
Milton, College
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
site of Huffington Park
Simmons, Judson,
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
South Judson
site of Judson Park
Northwestern
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
site of Independence Park, sometimes called Liberty
Hill
Byron, Case,
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
Academy, West
site of Colonial Park
Point
Pittsburg, Sewanee
Those portions within 100 feet of any portion of the
20
site of Jennie Elizabeth Hughes Park
(c) No person shall drive a vehicle at a greater rate of speed than 20 miles per hour in
a school area, on all school days, during the hours established by the traffic control
officer. The following streets or portions thereof are recognized as special hazards and
shall be designated as school areas:
(1) University Boulevard from 180 feet east of the east curb of Edloe to 150 feet
west of the west curb line of Auden.
(2) Edloe Street from the north curb line of University Boulevard to the south curb
line of Rice.
(3) Auden Street from the north curb line of University Boulevard to the south
curb line of Rice Boulevard.
Sec. 46-47. Reserved."
Section 3. Signage. The Director of Public Works shall cause speed limit signs
and other traffic -control devices to be erected at such locations deemed necessary to
provide reasonable notice of the above speed limits.
Section 4. Penalty. A violation of this ordinance shall be a Class C misdemeanor,
and the penalty for violating this ordinance shall be a fine not exceeding Two Hundred
and No/100 Dollars ($200.00) for each offense.
Section 5. Savings/Repealing Provision. All ordinances and parts of ordinances
in conflict with this ordinance are repealed to the extent of the conflict only.
Section 6. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance shall be held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this
ordinance shall continue in full force and effect the same as if such invalid or
unconstitutional provision had never been a part hereof.
Section 7. Effective Date. This ordinance takes effect immediately upon its
passage and adoption on second reading and the publication of the caption, as required
by the City Charter and state law.
[signatures follow]
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON FIRST READING on the 26th day of
April, 2021.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON SECOND READING, AND SIGNED,
10th day of May, 2021.
A w st :�'`'` Signed:
rex
ity Secretary (Seal)
Recommended: By:
City Manager
Approved as to form: By:
Olson & Olson, LLP, City Attorney