17-Speed Limit Ordinance for FM 137 (19th SW)memo�andum
TO: Mayor & City Council
John Godwin, City Manager
FROM: Shawn Napier, P.E.
Director of Engineering, Planning & Development
SUBJECT: SPEED LIMIT ORDINANCE FOR FM 137 (19TH SW)
DATE: May 7, 2013
BACKGROLTND: The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently completed the
overpass project at Loop 286 and FM 137 (19t�' SW St.). FM 137 now passes over Loop 286.
The City Council passed Ordinance 2006-039 on October 30, 2006 changing the speed limit on
FM 137 (19th SW St.) from Bonham Street south to the city limits. TxDOT recently prepared an
engineering & traffic study, along with a field survey, to determine the maximum, reasonable
and prudent speeds on the newly completed roadway.
STATUS OF ISSUE: Due to the addition of an overpass, traffic is no longer required to stop at
Loop 286. TxDOT is requesting the speed limits be changed at the following locations: Starting
at the intersection of Brown Street and FM 137 (19th SW St.) going south and southeast for
0.533 miles (just south of the railroad crossing), the recommended speed limit is 45 mph. The
last section continues southeast to the city limit line at the railroad tracks for 1.033 miles, with a
recommended speed of 55 mph.
BUDGET: N/A
RECOMMENDATION: Approve attached FM 137 speed limit ordinance as requested by
TxDOT.
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
ESTABLISHING MAXIMUM, REASONABLE AND PRUDENT RATES OF
SPEED ON FM 137 (19T" ST. SW.) STARTING AT THE IIVTERSECTION OF
FARM-TO MARKET HIGHWAY 137 (19th ST. SW) AND BUSINESS US 82-H
KNOWN AS BONHAM STREET, IlV A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION A DISTANCE
OF APPROXIMATELY 0.200 MILES A SPEED LIMIT OF THIRTY (30) MILE
PER HOUR AT ALL TIMES; THEIVCE SOUTHERLY A DISTANCE OF 0.400
MILES A SPEED LIMIT OF THIRTY-FIVE (35) MILES PER HOUR AT ALL
TIMES; THENCE SOUTHERLY A DISTANCE OF 0.533 MILES A SPEED
LIMIT OF FORTY-FIVE (45) MILES PER HOUR AT ALL TIMES; THENCE
SOUTHERLY A DISTANCE OF 1.033 MILES A SPEED LIMIT OF FIFTY-FIVE
(55) MILES PER HOUR AT ALL TIMES TO THE SOUTH CITY LIMITS OF
PARIS; MAKING OTHER FIIVDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE
SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A
SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; A1VD PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, Texas Department of transportation ("TxDOT") recently completed the
overpass project at Loop 286 and FM 137 (19th St. SW) and in connection with this project,
TxDOT prepared an engineering and traffic study, along with a field survey to determine
the maximum reasonable and prudent speed limits for FM 137 (19th SW Street); and,
WHEREAS, based on the engineering and traffic study, TxDOT has requested a
revision to the speed limits on FM 137 (19T" St. SV1� starting at the intersection of Farm-to
Market Highway 137 (FM 137) from it's intersection Business US 82-H known as Bonham
Street, in a southerly direction a distance of approximately 0.200 miles a speed limit of
thirty (30) mile per hour at all times; thence southerly a distance of 0.400 miles a speed
limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour at all times; thence southerly a distance of
approximately 0.533 miles a speed limit of forty-five (45) miles per hour at all times;
thence southerly a distance of approximately 1.033 miles a speed limit of fifty-five (55)
miles per hour at all times to the South City Limits of Paris; as evidenced in the attached
speed zone plan which is hereby incorporated herein as Exhibit "A".
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas has found and determined
that the requested speed zone change in this area is necessary to protect the health and
safety of its residents and is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Paris, Texas
and have so approved the speed zone change.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in
all things approved.
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Section 2. That no person shall drive a vehicle upon public road, street or highway
in the City of Paris, Texas, at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the
conditions and circumstances then existing. Except when a special hazard exists that
requires lower speeds for compliance with the above requirement, the limits hereinafter
set out below shall be lawful and any speed in excess of the limits as hereinafter set out for
the streets and highways and portions thereof to which they apply shall be prima facie
evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent.
Section 3. That a revised speed zone is hereby established for FM 137 (19th St. SW)
as follows:
Starting at the intersection of Farm-to Market Highway 137 (19th St. NV1� and
Business US 82-H known as Bonham Street, in a southerly direction a distance of
approximately 0.200 miles a speed limit of thirty (30) mile per hour at all times;
thence southerly a distance of 0.400 miles a speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per
hour at all times; thence southerly a distance of 0.533 miles a speed limit of forty-
five (45) miles per hour at all times; thence southerly a distance of 1.033 miles a
speed limit of fifty-five (55) miles per hour at all times to the South City Limits of
Paris; as evidenced by the attached speed zone plan is hereby approved and made a
part thereof as Exhibit "A".
Section 4. That all provisions of the ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas in conflict
with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, and all other provisions of the
ordinances of the City of Paris not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall
remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. That the repeal of any ordinance or part of ordinances affected by the
enactment of this ordinance shall not be construed as abandoning any action now pending
under or by virtue of such ordinance or as discontinuing, abating, modifying, or altering any
penalty accruing or to accrue, or as affecting any rights of the municipality under any
section or provisions of any ordinance at the time of passage of this ordinance.
Section 6. That it is the intention of the City Council of the City of Paris that this
ordinance, and every provision hereof, shall be considered severable, and the invalidity or
partial invalidity of any section, clause, or provisions of this ordinance shall not affect the
validity of any other portion of this ordinance.
Section 7. That any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
guilty of a Misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
TWO HUNDRED AND NO/100 ($200.00) DOLLARS.
Section 8. This Ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of May, 2013.
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
W. Kent McIlyar, City Attorney
A.J. Hashmi, M.D., Mayor
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