From
Chris Hartmann
Title
SNC160301 - Street Name Change - Gopher Boulevard - (City Council District 5). A request from the Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD) to rename only a portion of High School Drive to Gopher Boulevard. GPISD had initially sought to rename the entire two-lane street that runs from Stadium Drive to NE 5th Street; however, GPISD has revised their request to include only the portion of High School Drive that directly abuts the Grand Prairie High School property. The balance of High School Drive will continue to be named High School Drive.
Presenter
Chief City Planner Jim Hinderaker
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie initiated this street name change at the request of the Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD). The purpose of the street name change is to honor the Grand Prairie High School. The city’s goal is to continue to provide residents with exceptional services; most importantly fast response times to 911 emergency calls. The City Council Development Committee and the Public Safety Committee both recommended approval of the initial request to rename the entirety of High School Drive located between Stadium Drive to NE 5th Street to Gopher Boulevard. However, following the March 31, 2016 public meeting with property owners, City Staff and members of the GPISD, due to opposition from the two property owners that provided feedback on the request, GPISD modified their street renaming request to include only that portion of High School Drive that directly abuts school property. The balance of the street is to remain High School Drive.
Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, RENAMING THE EASTERLY MOST PORTION (APPROXIMATELY 1,400 FEET OF THE APPROXIMATELY 2,300 FOOT STREET SEGMENT) OF HIGH SCHOOL DRIVE, AN EXISTING TWO-LANE ASPHALT DEDICATED PUBLIC STREET LOCATED BETWEEN STADIUM DRIVE AND NE 5TH STREET, OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, TO GOPHER BOULEVARD, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD), on behalf of the current student body, alumni, facility and staff of the Grand Prairie High School, petitioned the City of Grand Prairie to rename High School Drive to Gopher Boulevard to honor the community spirit and pride of all past and present GOPHER’S, and
WHEREAS, city staff prepared a location map, Legal Notice and property owner notification list with the names and addresses of all property owners affected by the request, and
WHEREAS, on March 8, 2016, city staff presented the street renaming request to the City Council Development Committee (CCDC) and following discussion on the matter the Committee recommended approval of said request, and
WHEREAS, on March 15, 2016, Notice of the required informational Public Meeting was sent to all property owners owning property located within 300 feet of the High School Drive, such Notice, including the time and place of said Public Meeting, having been given at least fifteen (15) days prior to said Public Meeting, and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2016, city staff presented the street renaming request to the Public Safety Committee and following discussion on the matter the Committee recommended approval of the request, and
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2016, the city, with representatives from GPISD, conducting the informational Public Meeting and answered questions and took comments from all interested parties, and
WHEREAS, GPISD, due to neighboring property owner opposition, revised their street renaming request to include only the portion of High School Drive directly abutting Grand Prairie High School, and
WHEREAS, Notice was given of a public hearing to be held by the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, in the City Council Chambers at the Grand Prairie City Hall Complex, 317 W. College Street at 6:30 o'clock P.M. on April 19, 2016 to consider the adoption of an ordinance accepting said new street name, and as all citizens and parties at interest were notified that they would have an opportunity to be heard, such Notice, including the time and place of such hearing, having been given at least ten (10) days prior to such hearing by publication in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, a newspaper of general circulation in such municipality.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1: That the easterly portion of High School Drive directly abutting Grand Prairie High School property, as depicted on the attached Exhibit “A” and approximately 1,400 feet in length and running in generally an east-west direction, be renamed Gopher Boulevard.
SECTION 2: That the maps, traffic register, and affected street signs of the City of Grand Prairie shall be changed to reflect the new street name.
SECTION 3. That the City shall provide and install informational or directional signage at or near the intersection of Stadium Drive and the newly renamed Gopher Boulevard as well as at or near the intersection of NE 5th Street and High School Drive informing the public of the duel naming of said street segment and direction to the Grand Prairie High School.
SECTION 4: That the City Manager shall direct city staff to communicate this ordinance to the U.S. Postal Service and other agencies to effect the street name change to their respective records.
SECTION 5: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS THIS 19th DAY OF APRIL, 2016.
ORDINANCE NO. 10032-2016
CASE NO. SNC160301