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Denton proposes transportation updates to design criteria manual including new 'major collector' classification
Summary
City staff proposed updates to the Design Criteria Manual to add a new 'major collector' street classification (110-foot right-of-way with dedicated bike lanes), hammerhead turnaround options for constrained sites, clarified traffic‑impact procedures and guidance on on‑street parking and bike‑parking standards; staff expect a council public hearing in January and an effective date of Feb. 1, 2026, if adopted.
City staff presented proposed transportation-section updates to Denton’s unified Design Criteria Manual during the Mobility Committee meeting on Dec. 17, describing several technical changes aimed at clarifying design, safety and review procedures.
Mike Linder, the city’s drainage engineer, said the 2024 reorganization combined separate manuals into one document and the current round of edits is intended to stabilize the manual for the next three to five years. "After this update, we're not anticipating any other major updates within the next 3 to 5 years," Linder said. Staff said a public hearing is anticipated in mid‑January and, if adopted, the updates would take effect on 2026‑02‑01.
Raquel Allen, principal transportation planner, outlined major changes in the transportation section: the introduction of a "major collector" street classification (three concepts proposed, each with a 110‑foot right‑of‑way and dedicated bike lanes and walkways), a hammerhead turnaround option where cul‑de‑sacs will not fit, updated turn‑lane warrants for two‑lane roads based on TxDOT and AASHTO guidance, clearer Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA/TIM) workflow and waiver procedures, and a new school‑traffic‑management plan requirement.
Allen also addressed parking and bike‑parking standards. Staff proposed default on‑street parking be parallel where permitted, with angle or perpendicular parking allowed only after engineering review and city‑engineer approval. Allen said the city will adopt nationally recommended bike‑rack guidelines (referred to in the presentation as ABPP/APBP guidance) to specify rack spacing and secure locking recommendations.
Committee members raised concerns about on‑street parking competing with pedestrian and bike facilities. Chandra, the city traffic engineer, said the proposed major‑collector classification applies to new developments and noted that Carroll Boulevard is coded as a primary arterial with no parking allowed at any time. "Carroll... it's a primary arterial in our code, so there is no parking allowed at any time," Chandra said, and staff said retrofit options (one‑side parking, marked bike lanes with green paint) will be considered for older streets.
Members also questioned the manual’s discouragement of vertical traffic‑calming measures (speed humps) because of impacts on emergency‑response apparatus. Staff said vertical measures are generally discouraged on public streets due to response‑time and equipment‑damage concerns but that speed cushions may be allowed on private streets with fire‑department review.
Staff said the manual will include queue‑analysis guidelines, a clarified TIA workflow, a school traffic‑management section, and additional erosion‑control and drainage language coordinated with planning and PUB. The committee received the report and staff will return to the council for the scheduled hearing and potential adoption.
