The Police Chief is requesting that the City Council consider and take action on an ordinance to create new stop sign intersections at three locations in order to increase safety for pedestrians, especially children walking to school. Traffic studies were conducted at the intersections, and while speeds were not extreme, residents have expressed concerns about children's safety given the lack of sidewalks. The proposed ordinance would create an all-way stop at St. Dennis Avenue and Encino Avenue, an all-way stop at Bronson Avenue and St. Dennis Avenue, and a two-way stop at Bronson Avenue and Encino Avenue.

1. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rick Pruitt, Police Chief
SUBJECT: Discussion and possible action on an Ordinance amending Section 18-147,
Schedule B (1)(2)(3) – “Stop Signs”, of the Code of Ordinances to create a
new four-way stop intersection on St. Dennis Avenue at the intersection
with Encino Avenue, and create a new three-way stop intersection on
Bronson Avenue at the intersection with St. Dennis Avenue, and create a
new stop intersection on Encino Avenue at the intersection with Bronson
Avenue.
DATE: July 24, 2023
SUMMARY
Residents have requested consideration to create two new all-way stop intersections at the
intersections with Bronson Avenue (both directions) and St. Dennis Avenue; upgrade a
two-way stop to a new all-way stop intersection on St. Dennis Avenue and Encino
Avenue; and create one new two-way stop intersection on Encino Avenue at Bronson
Avenue. Residents cite concerns for the volume of traffic and speeds of vehicles traveling
through intersections not controlled by traffic control signs. Residents desire a safer
neighborhood for the pre-teen children in the area who walk or ride bicycles where there
are no sidewalks and travel to Cambridge Elementary and the playground area.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
General information on Bronson Avenue, St. Dennis Avenue, and Encino Avenue:
• A triangular median exists between the intersections of St. Dennis Avenue at Bronson
Avenue, the intersection of Encino Avenue at Bronson Avenue, and the intersection
at St. Dennis Avenue at Encino Avenue.
• There are no street lights at the point of any intersecting street in this study.
• Bronson Avenue – 30 feet in width, 100% residential, front driveways, no sidewalks,
unobstructed corner vision; no traffic control signs posted. Descending elevation from
north to south.
• St. Dennis Avenue – 29 feet in width, 100% residential, front and side driveways to
corner homes, no sidewalks, partially obstructed corner vision at intersection with
Encino Avenue and Bronson Avenue; unobstructed corner vision at the intersection
with Bronson Avenue; two way stop intersection exists on St. Dennis Avenue at

2. Encino Avenue and a one-way stop intersection exists on St. Dennis Avenue at
Bronson Avenue. Descending elevation from east to west toward Bronson Avenue.
• Encino Avenue - 30 feet in width, 100% residential, front driveways, no sidewalks,
partially obstructed intersection at St. Dennis Avenue; no traffic control signs on
Encino Avenue at the intersection with St. Dennis Avenue and Encino Avenue with
Bronson Avenue. Descending elevation from east to west toward Bronson Avenue.
The Police Department has contracted a 24–hour traffic speed and volume study (both
directions) at the following locations on a day when school was in session.
• On Bronson Avenue between St. Dennis Avenue and Jessamine; and
• On Bronson Avenue between Encino Avenue and Kennedy Avenue; and
• On Encino Avenue between St. Dennis Avenue and Mayflower Avenue; and
• Encino Avenue between Bronson Avenue and Encino Avenue; and
• St. Dennis Avenue between Encino Avenue and Kennedy Avenue on a day when
school was not is session.
Though traffic speeds were not extreme, there remains a concern for pedestrians and
children playing and walking to school during peak traffic periods. The following table
contains relevant data gathered from the traffic study.
Bronson / St Dennis-
Jessamine
# veh ≤ 25 mph 26 – 34 mph ≥ 35 mph avg speed
northbound 160 85.4 % 25 0 20.0
southbound 187 84.0 % 30 0 20.0
347 84.7 % avg 55 0 20.0 mph
Bronson / Kennedy-
Encino
# veh ≤ 25 mph 26 – 34 mph ≥ 35 mph avg speed
northbound 260 88.9 % 29 0 20.0
southbound 135 65.9 % 46 0 23.0
395 77.4 % avg 75 0 21.5 mph
Encino / St Dennis -
Mayflower
# veh ≤ 25 mph 26 - 34 mph ≥ 35 mph avg speed
northbound 205 73.7 % 52 2 21.0
southbound 141 86.5 % 19 0 18.0
346 80.1 % avg 71 2 19.5 mph
Encino / St Dennis -
Bronson
# veh ≤ 25 mph 26 - 34 mph ≥ 35 mph avg speed
northbound 182 99.7 % 1 0 14.0
southbound 69 97.1 % 1 1 16.0
251 98.4 % 2 1 15.0 mph

3. St Dennis / Encino –
Kennedy
# veh ≤ 25 mph 26 - 34 mph ≥ 35 mph avg speed
northbound 167 92.7 % 7 0 18.0
southbound 185 82.4 % 24 0 21.0
352 87.6 % 31 0 19.5 mph
Typically, the driving factors for an all-way stop intersection include a combination of
traffic volume, vehicle speeds, accident history, vision obstructions, pedestrian traffic and
street intersection lighting. While some of these factors are typically absent on residential
streets, we must acknowledge the absence of sidewalks and the close proximity to
Cambridge Elementary require traffic calming strategies to ensure a safe environment for
pre-teen bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Traffic on residential streets is an area of greater concern to residents often caused by
traffic volume and driver behaviors. Prior to installation of a traffic control device, we
first attempt to determine the traffic volume impact of a new stop sign on adjacent streets.
No adverse impact is anticipated on adjacent streets.
PROPOSED ACTION
An Ordinance to change the existing two-way stop to a new four-way stop intersection on
St. Dennis Avenue at the intersection with Encino Avenue; and
Change the existing one-way stop on St. Dennis Avenue with Bronson Avenue to a new
three-way stop intersection on Bronson Avenue, north and south directions, at the
intersection with St. Dennis Avenue; and
Create a new stop intersection on Encino Avenue at the intersection with Bronson Avenue.
POLICY ANALYSIS
The request for consideration of new stop intersections is consistent with the Texas
Transportation Code Section 542.202 and the City of Alamo Heights Code of Ordinances
Section 18-98 “Stop Intersections” providing that the City Council may designate any
street intersection as a stop intersection and designate the streets upon which vehicles
shall stop before entering such intersection.
COORDINATION
• Letters were mailed to all addresses on the following blocks asking for input into the
requests and making notification of the City Council meeting on July 24, 2023.
• Bronson Avenue between Cambridge Oval and Patterson Avenue;
• St. Dennis Avenue between Encino Avenue and Kennedy Avenue’
• Encino Avenue between St. Dennis Avenue and Mayflower Avenue.

4. • The City Manager has reviewed this proposal and the City Attorney prepared the
proposed Ordinance.
• Public Works personnel will assume responsibility for installing the sign poles and
stop signs.
• The Ordinance will be published in the San Antonio Express News in accordance with
applicable law and posted on the City webpage.
FISCAL IMPACT
• Purchase and erect new stop signs - $125 each location
• Traffic survey - $1,053
• Cost to advertise in the SA Express-News
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Proposed Ordinance
____________________________
Rick Pruitt
Police Chief
____________________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager

5. Attachment A
ORDINANCE NO. 2207
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ALAMO HEIGHTS, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, TRAFFIC,
SECTION 18-147, SCHEDULE B, STOP SIGNS BY CREATING A
NEW FOUR WAY STOP INTERSECTION AT ST DENNIS AVENUE
AND ENCINO AVENUE, A NEW THREE WAY STOP
INTERSECTION AT ST. DENNIS AVENUE AND BRONSON
AVENUE, AND CREATING A NEW STOP INTERSECTION AT
BRONSON AVENUE AND ENCINO AVENUE AND PROVIDING
FOR A PENALTY; REPEALING ALL PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND OPEN
MEETINGS CLAUSE.
WHEREAS, the regulation of traffic, motor vehicles and conveyances upon all public streets,
roadway and right-of-ways within the City limits of the City of Alamo Heights (the “City”) is
essential and necessary to protect the traveling public and to preserve and protect the public safety
of the City; and
WHEREAS, sections 311.001 and 542.202(a) (10) of the Texas Transportation Code provides
that a municipality has exclusive control over and under the public highways, streets, and alleys
of the municipality and the authority to designate which streets will have no parking locations; and
WHEREAS, residents cite concerns for the volume of traffic and vehicles traveling at speeds
faster than the 25 mph speed zone on Abiso Avenue and Imlay Street and have expressed the need
for a four-way stop sign; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department conducted a study of the intersection and found the twenty-
four (24) hour traffic volume in the 300 block Abiso Avenue and Imlay Avenue, raised a concern
for pedestrians and children playing and walking to school during peak traffic periods and the four-
way stop designation for Imlay Street and Abiso Avenue is consistent with nine other intersections
designated as four-way stop between Argo Avenue and Ogden Lane;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ALAMO HEIGHTS,TEXAS THAT:
SECTION 1: Findings. The recitals are hereby found to be true and correct and are hereby
incorporated as part of this Ordinance.
SECTION 2: Amendments to Chapter 18 . Chapter 18 ("Traffic ") Section 18-147 (2) shall
be amended, which is entitled "Schedule B-Stop Signs ( 2 ) f o u r - w a y s t o p s i gn s ” which
shall be amended to include the following intersection to add a four-way stop
sign and to read as follows:
Sec. 18-147. - Schedule B – Stop Signs
(1) At the following intersection stop signs will be installed so that on the first named
street, traffic will have the right-of-way; and on the second named street or group of
streets, traffic will stop;
Bronson Avenue with Encino Avenue

6. Attachment A
(2) At the following intersections, four-way stop signs will be installed:
St. Dennis Avenue and Encino Avenue
(3) At the following intersection, three-way stop signs will be installed
St. Dennis Avenue and Bronson Avenue, west, southeast and northwest corners
SECTION 3. All remaining provisions of Chapter 18 ("Traffic ") Section 18-147, " Schedule
B-Stop Signs” shall remain unchanged except for the amendment to add the intersection underlined
in Section 2 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. Conflicting Ordinances or Resolutions. All resolutions or ordinances or parts
thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance as adopted and amended
herein, are hereby REPEALED to the extent of such conflict. In the event of a conflict or
inconsistency between this ordinance and any other resolution, code or ordinance of the City, or
parts thereof, the terms and provisions of this ordinance shall govern.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this
ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid for any purpose, the remainder of this ordinance
shall not be affected thereby and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be
severable.
SECTION 6. Open Meetings. It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at
which this ordinance is passed was open to the public as required and that public notice of the
time, place, and purpose of said meeting was given as required by the Open Meetings Act.
SECTION 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective from and after its approval and
passage in accordance with the Texas Local Government Code and the city charter.
PRESENTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMO
HEIGHTS, TEXAS THIS 24TH DAY OF JULY 2023.
BOBBY ROSENTHAL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELSA T. ROBLES, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RICHARD LINDNER, CITY ATTORNEY