By Moses Leos III
A proposed switch to angle parking along Burleson Street could eliminate parking spots in downtown Kyle.
Freese and Nichols, which is overseeing the Burleson Street reconstruction, updated city council on its parking changes study. Revamped spots would be located between Miller and Lockhart Streets.
Project manager Jessica Rodriguez said the firm’s initial direction was to mimic the “street scape presentation” along Center Street.
While Rodriguez said safety is the primary reason for the proposal, city leaders are concerned the move, which could eliminate 13 of 40 existing spaces, may hinder visitors to downtown.
“I can see the safety considerations, but I just don’t see how we can handle losing 13 parking spaces,” Mayor Todd Webster said on the dais on July 7. “Not on days when we have events.”
The changes would see front-end parking spaces altered to 45-degree angle spaces.
According to Rodriguez, angled parking would improve safety for drivers backing out of spaces. Angled spaces may improve traffic flow, as they allow for faster access. It would also limit the ability of drivers from crossing traffic to park into a space.
Findings were gathered from data compiled from national and international studies, which Rodriguez said show the safety and traffic flow benefits of angled parking.
She was not aware, however, of any issues or complaints directly related to parking on Burleson Street.
In addition, Freese and Nichols also plans to widen the sidewalk at different intervals – a move that could provide a boost to business.
City Manager Scott Sellers said walkable traffic equals sales in downtown instead of drivable traffic.
“Wider sidewalks help downtown,” Sellers said. “It’s space making and place making.”
Council member Daphne Tenorio expressed concern that the change would impact businesses on Burleson.
“I’m uncomfortable with losing up to 13 spaces,” she said.
Council member David Wilson said angled parking could alleviate blocking issues on the street. But he asked if the city could build out parking along Front Street to accommodate lost spaces on Burleson.
A full parking addition on Front Street from Miller to Lockhart, according to Sellers, could cost close to $1 million and it may not alleviate lost spaces on Burleson.
“Patrons will park in visual proximity to where they are trying to go,” he said. “Adding parking to Front Street…won’t impact (parking on) Burleson.”
Janet Langlois, an assistant at Hair Topic on Burleson, was apprehensive at the possible change. She cited an incident at an H-E-B, which also features angle parking, where she was hit while trying to exit a space.
She said the possible loss of 13 spaces “doesn’t seem like good management.”
“If you have a big car [parked] next to you, it’s difficult to back out,” Langlois said.
Robert Vinson Cravey Jr. commented on the Hays Free Press Facebook page that the city’s possible move to remove spaces, “gives me less reasons to go downtown.”
According to Rodriguez, Freese and Nichols will continue talking with city staff about potential options.
