New all-way stop intersection

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
of the Code of Ordinances to create a new all-way stop intersection on
Imlay Street at the intersection with Abiso Avenue.
DATE: March 27, 2023
SUMMARY
Residents in the 300 Abiso Avenue have requested consideration to replace the existing
two-way stop intersection on Abiso Avenue with Imlay Street with an all-way stop at that
intersection. 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. Residents
desire a safe neighborhood play environment for the pre-teen children on the block.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
General information concerning the Imlay Street and Abiso Avenue intersection:
• Abiso Avenue – 30 feet in width, 100% residential, front driveways, no sidewalks,
unobstructed corner vision; stop signs for east and westbound traffic
• Imlay Street – 30 feet in width, 100% residential, side driveways to corner homes, no
sidewalks, unobstructed corner vision; no traffic control devices
• The proposed “all-way stop” designation for Imlay Street and Abiso Avenue is
consistent with nine other intersections designated as “all-way stop” between Argo
Avenue and Ogden Lane and the only intersection not designated as an all-way stop
between Corona Avenue and Ogden Lane
The Police Department has conducted a study of the intersection and found the twenty-
four (24) hour traffic volume in the 300 block Abiso Avenue and Imlay Avenue, both
directions of travel. Although 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 of Abiso
Avenue and Imlay Street.

2. 300 block Abiso Ave. # veh 26-35 mph >35 mph 25 mph or
less %
avg speed
eastbound 150 8 3 92.7
westbound 156 6 3 94.2
306 14 6 16.5 mph
300 block Imlay St. # veh 26-35 mph >35 mph 25 mph or
less %
avg speed
northbound 168 33 9 75%
southbound 181 34 7 77.3%
349 67 16 22.5 mph
Officers assigned to monitor traffic during peak periods reported some vehicles traveling
above the posted 25 m.p.h. speed limit but the larger majority traveling at or below the
speed limit or within tolerance. Officers also observed some vehicles and cyclists
traveling on Abiso Avenue fail to stop for the existing stop sign at the intersection with
Imlay Street. Where violations occurred a warning or court citation was issued.
Typically, the driving factors for an 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 must acknowledge Abiso Avenue has a large
volume of pre-teen children and the requested all-way stop intersection would assist in
calming traffic speeds turning onto Abiso Avenue from Imlay Street.
Traffic on residential streets is an area of greater concern to residents often caused by
traffic volume and driver behaviors. If enforcement measures do not calm the situation, a
traffic control device may be considered. 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. The proposed “all-way stop” designation for Imlay Street and Abiso Avenue is
consistent with nine other intersections designated as “all-way stop” between Argo
Avenue and Ogden Lane. No adverse impact is expected on adjacent streets.
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 300 & 400 blocks of Abiso Avenue asking
for input into the proposal and making notification of the City Council meeting on
March 27, 2023.

3. • 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 two new stop signs - $250
• Traffic survey - $552
• Cost to advertise in the SA Express-News
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Proposed Ordinance
____________________________
Rick Pruitt
Police Chief
____________________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager

4. ORDINANCE NO. 2201
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 IMLAY STREET AND
ABISO AVENUE; 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) four-way stop signs” 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 intersections, four-way stop signs will be installed:
Abiso Avenue with Arbutus Street.
Abiso Avenue with Greely Street.
Abiso Avenue with Imlay Street
Attachment A

5. 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 27TH DAY OF MARCH 2023.
BOBBY ROSENTHAL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELSA T. ROBLES, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RICHARD LINDNER, CITY ATTORNEY
Attachment A