2020-041 - Authorizing the Designation of a Hazardous Material Route through the City of Paris Along Loop 286

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Figure E: City of Paris Zoning District Map As depicted in the zoning map, Loop 286 provides a continuous route around town and adjacent to land uses that are better equipped to withstand exposure to NRHM in the case of a spill or incident, while business routes through the center of town leave Paris residents at risk for exposure with less effective options for evacuation. E. Emergency Response Capabilities The City currently operates three fire stations and three emergency medical service stations within the city limits. Medical services are provided by a single hospital located on the north Loop 286, and a future hospital development is proposed along southeast Loop 286. When responding to emergencies, the travel time from local city streets to hospitals and care centers is only slightly increased when traveling inside the loop due to slower speeds, signalized intersections, added congestion, and increased access points. For example, the average travel time from West US 82 to East US 82 traveling through town at average speed of 35 mph is 9 minutes (does not include delay for traffic signals), whereas the travel time along Loop 286 is 7 minutes. Designation of Loop 286 as a NRHM would not have an adverse impact to emergency response times, as travel times are improved along the loop. F. Consultation and Public Input In the summer of 2017, the City consulted with local TxDOT leaders who advised of the process for obtaining the NRHM designation. Notifications were sent to all jurisdictions within a 25 mile radius advising of the route proposal and inviting comments or concerns. Figure F (next page) is a map of jurisdictions. No comments or feedback were received from any jurisdiction. 7