The New Braunfels Planning Commission, after a lengthy discussion, voted 5 to 3 to endorse the City’s proposed transportation plan (called the Parkway Plan) without the Outer Loop at a meeting on Tuesday, November 15.
Minor changes were made, and now the plan will go forward to the City Council for its deciding vote.
A standing room only crowd of about 75 people heard three speakers who supported adding the Outer Loop to the new plan. Two of the speakers are real estate business owners, and the third is a highway builder. The most contentious moment in the evening came when the highway builder indicated that he was taking names of those who voted for the parkway plan or, as he turned to face the crowd and gestured, spoke for the Parkway Plan. The bullying tactics didn’t stop at least twelve people who spoke in support of the proposed plan without the Outer Loop. Because of time constraints, further public comment was closed.
One speaker, who was on the Task Force, indicated that the Task Force recommendation was that the Outer Loop should not be imposed in its entirety, and that instead, each segment of the Loop should be considered separately with a determination made if it was a viable option. One of the Commissioners recognized that the Parkway Plan had actually done just that, and that viable sections of the Outer Loop are included.
The Planning Commission recommendation now goes forward to City Council. The council could consider this proposal as early as the November 28 City Council meeting.
