ParkW CC-1/PP-CS 891215COPPELL PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
December 15, 1989
Taryon Bowman, P & Z Coordinator~~~ '
Russell R. Doyle, City Enginee~/~~
Park West Commerce Center Requeste%d Major
Thoroughfare Revision: Gateway Boulevard
Technical Review and Comment
Attached, please find a copy of a letter of request from Prentiss
Properties Limited, Inc. dated December 14, 1989. In this letter
the applicant is requesting an amendment to the Coppell's
Thoroughfare Plan for the realignment of Gateway Boulevard. This
request combines Gateway and Southwestern Boulevards.
We have asked DeShazo, Starek and Tang to provide you with 20
copies of the realignment study reports, in addition to the one
copy attached to this memo.
We have the following comments and/or recommendation for your
department and the City of Coppell's Policy Bodies to consider.
This memo is a part of a P & Z Commission agenda packet prepared
by this office for the December 21, 1989 Planning and Zoning
Commission meeting.
While it appears that the applicants Transportation/Traffic
Consultant has demonstrated justification for their client's
desired alignment and roadway classification (ie. roadway sizing),
there are some areas needing to be addressed on at least two
levels. The first is on the technical level regarding predicted
traffic volumes at full development and aesthetic/quality of life
issues regarding landscaping and width of medians, etc. Realignment
only is being considered at this time.
The City of Coppell has just engaged a Transportation and Traffic
Consultant on Thursday, December 7, 1989, who as you know will be
providing a recommendation on the West Side Commercial Landowners
Associations request for realigning the thoroughfares west of
Denton tap Road and north of Bethel Road connecting to the SH 121
freeway facility. The study will also take into account the recent
change in Freeport Parkway and the changes in the SH 121
interchanges and ramps.
The study will conduct, independent traffic modeling since the
available data (predicted traffic volumes) does not specifically
provide volumes for the City of Coppell's Internal Thoroughfare
System. That is, the available projected traffic volumes from the
Texas State Highway Department and/or North Central Texas Council
of Governments concentrate on the freeway facilities encompassing
the City of Coppell.
Below are questions and/or issues the applicant should address
before the P & Z and City Council when they consider this requested
Thoroughfare Realignment. These are in no particular order except
as they occurred in reviewing the submitted realignment study.
Thoroughfare Aliqnment Study for Southwestern Blvd.~Gateway Blvd.
The property owners contiguous and/or accessing Southwestern
Blvd. should be notified of the request for the City Council
meeting.
Alternative 4 does not accomplish the current Major
Thoroughfare Plans connecting a major direct through
Thoroughfare from Denton Tap Road to Royal Lane Extension~IH
635.
e
Traffic Counts were taken on Royal Lane and Freeport
Boulevard. These two roadways, as well as Gateway Blvd. and
Southwestern Blvd., are not completely open to traffic. When
they are built, they would generate traffic to the roadways
under consideration.
If the Prentiss and Santa Fe development were not included in
the employment forecasts, were other areas in the vicinity not
left out. If so, there is more traffic generated to be
accommodated on the thoroughfares under consideration?
Be
Is the 20% trucks assumption an industry standard and if so,
provide the source (page 21).
Are the Trip Distribution percentages an industry Standard and
if so, provide source, etc (page 21).
Alignment characteristics (page 21). The salient characteristics
will be listed here and discussed below.
Alternative I Existing Thoroughfare Plan
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Connects Denton Tap Road and Royal Lane~IH 635.
Allows high speeds.
Impairs ability to fully develop the Tract
Costly/ Needs two bridges across Grapevine Creek
Interior site truck traffic will impede through traffic
Gateway Blvd. capacity reduced
Alternative 2
2.
3.
4.
Direct through movement from Royal to Belt Line
Only one Grapevine Creek crossing / More economical
Buffer for different land uses
Better utilization of land
Alternative 3
2.
3.
4.
Most direct route Belt Line to Royal Lane
One creek crossing
Buffer between land uses
Added railroad crossing
Alternative 4
Least capacity provided/through movement obstructed
Inefficient for Land Development
Numerous rail spur crossings
Discussion
The report concluded Alternatives 3 and 4 least desirable.
Alternative 2 is more desirable over Alternate 1, which is the
current Major Thoroughfare Plan. Therefore, we should then
critically examine Alternative 2 to assure that it is a viable or
"best" traffic alternative.
Conclusion/Recommendation
After the above questions and issues are addressed, with no
resulting adverse impact on the capacity or loading of the proposed
thoroughfare, it appears that the request on the Prentiss
Properties Limited, Inc. Tract only is acceptable. However, if
that request is dependent upon changes on the tract to the west
then that landowner should be a party in the decision-making.
Please let make know if you need any further information, comments
and/or recommendations. We will attend the December 21, 1989
Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Thank you.
RRD/SMD/bb
xc: Steve Goram, Director of Public Works
Shohre Daneshmand, Civil Engineer
Mike Starek, DeShazo, Starek & Tang
December 14, 1989
Mr. Russell Doyle
City of ~oppell
P.O. Bow 478
Coppell~ Texas 75019
/
Re: Revision to City Thoroughfare Plan
Dear Russell:
In conjunction with our replatting of the Park West Commerce
Center we are requesting that the City's thoroughfare be revised
to change the alignment of Gateway Boulevard to that shown in
the accompanying land plan.
The current thoroughfare alignment makes it impossible to
develop the area north of Airline Drive as an industrial park.
The resulting lot configuration has depths that are unworkable
for industrial buildings.
The present thoroughfare alignment of Gateway Boulevard also
precludes bringing rail service into the park. We believe that
the ability to offer rail service is important to attract top
quality tenants to the park.
The requested realignment permits the eastern and western
terminus of the road to remain unchanged thus preserving the
travel line shown on the existing thoroughfare plan. The
realignment is extremely important to our ability to develop the
property as a first class industrial park.
Yours truly,
Michael R. Tucker
Vice President
MRT / pg
XC:
Paisley Boney
Allen Ratliff
Gary Seib