BY KARLEY CROSS
College Station votes to remove Pebble Creek Parkway extension from plans
In a split vote, College Station City Council on April 9 removed the planned Pebble Creek Parkway extension from the city’s Thoroughfare Plan. The extension has been in the city’s plans since the 1990s and was intended to support long-term growth and regional connectivity. However, the decision followed hours of testimony from dozens of residents who feared increased tra c would compromise neighborhood safety and character. The two-minute impact Tra c, connectivity, emergency response, including potentially faster re response times, and infrastructure were key reasons for the extension, city sta said. Were the extension to be removed, Anthony Armstrong, director of planning and development
services, said road connections would likely depend on separate agreements, which could be costly. What they’re saying Opponents raised concerns, including safety risks for children walking and biking, loss of neighbor- hood character and fears over the roadway becom- ing a high-speed cut-through route. “If this extension goes through, I will no longer feel safe letting [my children] bike to school,” Pebble Creek resident Courtney Cannon said. Meanwhile, council member William Wright said removing it would shift tra c problems elsewhere. The takeaway Some divided council members said they ultimately prioritized neighborhood integrity over mobility.
The city will no longer extend Pebble Creek Parkway.
ROCK PRAIRIE RD.
6
PEBBLE CREEK PKWY.
PEACH CREEK RD.
WILLIAM D. FITCH PKWY.
N
Council vote breakdown Remove extension*
Keep extension
Council members Mark Smith David White Bob Yancy Scott Shafer
Mayor
John Nichols Council members William Wright
Melissa McIlhaney
*VOTING IN FAVOR MEANS VOTING TO REMOVE EXTENSION
SOURCE: CITY OF COLLEGE STATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
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BRYAN COLLEGE STATION EDITION
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