To amend Section 12-73(d), Same — Specific zones, of Article IV, Speed, of Chapter 12, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the City of Plano Code of Ordinances, to establish school zones on Plano Parkway at Feathering Way and on Ridgeview Drive at Presidio Lane, within the city limits of the City of Plano; and providing a penalty clause, a repealer clause, a severability clause, a savings clause, a publication clause, and an effective date. Adopted Ordinance No. 2026-4-10

Recent changes to the Plano Independent School District (PISD) and Frisco Independent School District (FISD) school bus services and/or attendance boundaries have prompted the need for modifying school zones serving Otto Middle School students living north of Plano Parkway and Fowler Middle School students living north of Ridgeview Drive.

City staff have evaluated the impacts of these school district changes and have identified key unmarked pedestrian crossings used by students: Otto Middle School students crossing Plano Parkway at Feathering Way, and Fowler Middle School students crossing Ridgeview Drive at Presidio Lane. 

As such, an increased number of students are walking and crossing these roadways during school arrival and dismissal times. Both Plano Parkway and Ridgeview Drive are higher-speed roadways, and the absence of designated school zones at these locations presents potential safety concerns for student pedestrians.  Staff reached out to PISD and FISD, and both districts are in support of their respective school zones.

The Transportation Engineering Division has evaluated the student usage at both crossing locations and recommends establishing school zones at Plano Parkway and Feathering Way and at Ridgeview Drive and Presidio Lane to improve safety for students traveling to and from Otto and Fowler Middle Schools.

Not approving these school zones will maintain the current conditions, where students continue to cross these roadways without reduced speed limits during school hours.

This item has no immediate financial impact; however, some revenue may be collected as fines resulting from violation of this ordinance.  The exact change in revenue is indeterminable and will have minimal impact on the General Fund budget.

Approval of this item supports the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor of Multi-Modal Transportation and Mobility Solutions.