Comal County OKs stop sign at North Cranes Mill and Canyon Shores after public hearing

Comal County Commissioners voted to place a stop sign at the intersection of North Cranes Mill Road and Canyon Shores Road after a public hearing where a resident urged additional traffic counts and an engineer explained sight-distance requirements.

A county staff member responsible for traffic control summarized the engineering analysis and recommended a stop sign because the intersection did not meet sight-distance guidance. “The requirement is 200 feet,” the staff member said, referring to the sight-distance needed for a 30 mph approach. The recommendation followed the guidance contained in the county’s referenced engineering guidance (described in the hearing as “the green book”).

Resident David Glasscock, of 1944 Lakeshore Drive, said he had counted vehicles on three separate days and found travel patterns he believes favor putting a stop on North Cranes Mill Road instead of Canyon Shores. “To me, it would be better served if people could stop on Cranes Mill Road,” Glasscock said, adding he would like an official traffic count to confirm patterns he observed.

During discussion, commissioners and staff acknowledged the skewed geometry of the intersection and the difficulty of placing a stop sign where sight lines are limited. One county staff speaker said the decision is driven by sight distance, not traffic volume, and noted the unusual alignment makes some alternative placements potentially unsafe.

Commissioner Webb moved to approve the placement of the stop sign at the Canyon Shores approach; Commissioner Crownover seconded. The court voted in favor; the motion carried. Commissioners asked the county engineer’s office to collect traffic-count data over time to monitor whether the chosen placement continues to be appropriate.

The decision followed the formal public hearing process; members of the public had the opportunity to speak and no speakers opposed the change at the hearing.