3 way stop at Tuxedo and Columbine

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)(4), of the Code of Ordinances to create a new three-way stop
intersection on Tuxedo Avenue at the intersection with Columbine Street.
DATE: May 28, 2024
SUMMARY
Staff has received a request to create an all-way stop intersection by installing stop signs
for eastbound and westbound traffic on Tuxedo Avenue where intersects Columbine
Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
General information concerning the Tuxedo Avenue and Columbine Street intersection:
• Tuxedo Avenue – 30 feet in width, 100% residential, front driveways, no sidewalks,
no streetlight, no traffic control device for both east and westbound thru traffic;
• Columbine Street – 29 feet in width, 100% residential, side driveways to corner
homes, no sidewalks, clear corner vision; stop sign in place for Columbine Street
traffic at the intersection with Tuxedo Avenue;
• The proposed “three-way stop” designation for Tuxedo Avenue and Columbine Street
consistent with one other intersection (West Fair Oaks) designated as “four-way stop”
between Tuxedo Avenue and West Elmview Drive;
• Other factors to be considered
o High school children use Tuxedo Avenue to walk or ride bicycles to a
near-by high school during peak morning hour traffic periods
o No accidents reported in past 10 years
o No adverse impacts to near-by streets anticipated
o Signage and poles will replace existing signage and poles
The Police Department conducted a twenty-four (24) hour traffic speed and volume study
of Tuxedo Avenue at the intersection with Columbine Street on a week day when school
was in session. The study provided data related to the speeds and volume of traffic on

2. both streets. The following table contains the relevant data gathered from the traffic study
of Tuxedo Avenue and Columbine Street.
200 blk. Tuxedo (all) Columbine
total vehicles 2,923 203
average speed 19 mph 16 mph
10 mph pace speed 16-25 mph 15-24 mph
number in pace 2,120 137
percentage in pace 72% 67%
95th
percentile 26 mph 24 mph
Typically, the driving factors for an any all-way stop intersection include a combination
of traffic volume, vehicle speeds, accident history, vision obstructions and pedestrian
traffic. While some of these factors are absent, we acknowledge Tuxedo Avenue is a
pedestrian route to and from the Alamo Heights High School campus and a traffic light-
controlled crosswalk is available from Tuxedo Avenue to cross Broadway to the campus.
PROPOSED ACTION
An Ordinance amending Section 18-147, Schedule B (1)(4), of the Code of Ordinances to
create a new three-way stop intersection on Tuxedo Avenue and Columbine Street, north,
northeast and southwest corners.
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 in the 100 & 200 blocks of Tuxedo Avenue
asking for input into the proposal and making notification of the City Council
meeting on May 28, 2024.
• 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.

3. • 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 two new stop signs - $325
• Traffic survey - $552
• Cost to advertise in the SA Express-News - $460
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Proposed Ordinance
____________________________
Rick Pruitt
Police Chief
____________________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager

4. Attachment A
ORDINANCE NO. 2221
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 THREE-WAY STOP INTERSECTION AT COLUMBINE AND
TUXEDO 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 rights-of-way 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, city staff has received a request from residents to create an all-way stop intersection
by installing stop signs for eastbound and westbound traffic on Tuxedo Avenue where intersects
Columbine Street and have expressed the need for a three-way stop sign; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department conducted a twenty-four (24) hour traffic speed and volume
study of Tuxedo Avenue at the intersection with Columbine Street on a week day when school
was in session and the study provided data related to the speeds and volume of traffic on both
streets and based on the traffic study, the Police Department recommends a three-way stop
intersection by installing stop signs for traffic traveling east and west on Tuxedo and south on
Columbine;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ALAMO HEIGHTS,TEXAS THAT:
SECTION 1: Findings. The recitals are 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 (4) shall
be amended, which is entitled "Schedule B-Stop Signs ( 4 ) t h r e e - w a y s t o p s i gn s ” which
shall be amended to include the following intersection to add a three-way stop
sign and to read as follows:
Sec. 18-147. - Schedule B – Stop Signs
(4) At the following intersections, three-way stop signs will be installed:
Tuxedo Avenue at the intersection with Columbine Street or traffic traveling east and
west on Tuxedo and south on Columbine

5. Attachment A
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 28th DAY OF MAY 2024.
BOBBY ROSENTHAL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELSA T. ROBLES, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RICHARD LINDNER, CITY ATTORNEY