Ordinance No. 2021-6-14: To amend Section 12-101, Prohibited on certain streets at all times, of Article V, Stopping, Standing and Parking, Chapter 12, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plano, Texas to establish no parking zones on certain sections of Park Vista Road, 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

The recently-constructed Heritage Ridge development included the reconstruction of a portion of Park Vista Road.  Park Vista Road crosses the KCS rail line near its southern end, with this crossing being a designated quiet zone where trains are not required to sound their horns.  Establishment of the quiet zone designation requires specific roadway features at the crossing including a raised median, railroad gates, signs, and pavement markings.

The reconstruction of Park Vista Road modified the pavement configuration near the crossing, and included the installation of parking areas on both the northbound and southbound sides of the roadway.  This introduced a condition where large vehicles or vehicles parked improperly could result in traffic obstructions preventing the clear passage of vehicles approaching and departing the railroad crossing.

During the 2020 inspection of this crossing by the Federal Railroad Administration, the FRA inspector identified the newly-constructed parking areas as a potential concern in the future when the residential units in the new development were completed and residents began parking in these areas.

The proposed parking restrictions included in this item are for life safety purposes in order to minimize the potential for motorists to become stuck on the railroad tracks, thus minimizing the potential for train collisions. 

The Transportation Engineering Division supports the proposed parking restrictions and recommends amending the Code of Ordinances to establish a no parking zone on both sides of Park Vista Road near its intersection with the KCS railroad crossing.

This item may impact revenue collected from parking fines due to the implementation of parking restrictions; however, the exact change in revenue is indeterminable and will have minimal impact on the General Fund budget.

Approval of this item to establish parking restrictions along Park Vista Road supports the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor of Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.