SUBJECT: Ordinance approving the taking of approximately 0.31 acre (13,506 square feet) of R.L. and Cora Johnson Park to widen and make other improvements to Tanner Road.
WBS No. N-000589-0001-3
RECOMMENDATION: (SUMMARY): Approve an Ordinance to permanently take approximately 0.31 acre (13,506 square feet) of R.L. and Cora Johnson Park to widen and make other improvements to Tanner Road adjacent to the Park as part of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a portion of Tanner Road from Triway Lane to Campbell Road.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: R.L. & Cora Johnson Park (the “Park”) consists of approximately 9.87 acres and is located at 9920 Porto Rico Road. Park amenities include a baseball diamond, a pedestrian pathway, a basketball court, pavilions, a playground, benches, a community center, and parking facilities.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 requires the City to publish three public notices and hold a public hearing prior to authorizing the use or taking of park land for non-park purposes. Notices were published in the Houston Chronicle on July 10, July 17, and July 24, 2017. City Council held a public hearing on the taking of the park land on August 2, 2017. Ms. Cora Johnson, one of the Park’s namesakes, spoke at the hearing.
The Tanner Road reconstruction project (the “Project”) involves the rehabilitation of an existing two-lane asphalt roadway to a four-lane concrete boulevard section with divided grassy median in accordance with Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP) standards. The proposed improvements include a four-lane divided concrete roadway with curbs, an underground storm sewer system to mitigate street flooding, water and wastewater utilities, shared bike lanes, sidewalks, street lights, and offsite detention. The Project will extend from Triway Lane on the west to Campbell Road on the east. The Project will require the taking of approximately 0.31 acre (13,506 square feet) of the Park property along the south side of Tanner Road. The area of proposed new right-of-way encompasses a grassy area of the Park between a chain link fence and the existing right-of-way of Tanner Road.
Since Tanner Road must be widened in order to meet MTFP standards, there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the taking of a portion of the Park for the Project. The Department of Public Works and Engineering and the Parks and Recreation Department have worked together to minimize impacts to the Park. The Project will not impact the existing fence, the ballfield, or any other component of the park that is currently used for active or passive recreation. The Project will include components that enhance accessibility to the Park, including the following:
Council approval is recommended.
___________________________________ ____________________________
Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E. Department Approval Authority
Acting Director
Department of Public Works and Engineering
WBS No. N-000589-0001-3