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Planning Commission recommends Padre Mustang Island mobility plan to City Council
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Summary
The City Planning Commission voted to recommend the Padre Mustang Island Mobility Plan to City Council for consideration on Feb. 10. Staff presented a multi-modal plan that calls for 14-foot shared paths for bicycles and golf carts, separated pedestrian sidewalks and a recommended speed reduction on Park Road 22 from 55 to 45 mph.
Karen Costanza, planning manager in the City's Planning and Economic Development Department, told the Planning Commission that the Padre Mustang Island Mobility Plan is back on the city's calendar for City Council consideration and adoption. "The item before you on your agenda is a public hearing and a recommending action, for City Council regarding the adoption of the Padre Mustang Island mobility Plan," Costanza said. The commission voted to recommend the plan by voice vote.
The plan, which staff says is the same document the commission reviewed in June 2025 with text amendments incorporated, aims to improve connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists and golf-cart users across the island. Costanza said the project began in 2023, moved through a draft in April 2025 and received recommendations from the Island Strategic Action Committee and Planning Commission last summer. Adoption at the council level, staff said, will strengthen the city's eligibility for grants and bond programming.
Among the plan's technical recommendations are mapped network areas (North Loop Streets, city beach and county beach connections, West Island connectors) and corridor-level guidance for Park Road 22. The plan calls for 14-foot multiuse paths on both sides of Park Road 22 to accommodate bicycles and golf carts, separated sidewalks for pedestrians, and a proposed reduction of the posted speed from 55 to 45 mph. Costanza said consultants from Kimley Horn provided preliminary engineering and load analysis to test feasibility at key locations such as the Don Patricio bridge.
On the bridge, Costanza said analysis showed no widening is required; instead the recommendation would reutilize existing right-of-way by narrowing shoulders to create separated bike/golf-cart paths and add pedestrian safety fencing. "There will be some need also ... for additional pedestrian safety fencing along the edges," Costanza said, noting that engineers reviewed load capacity and right-of-way in the appendix of the plan.
Commissioners asked about timing and funding. Costanza said the plan includes an implementation matrix with short-term (1-5 years), mid-term (5-10 years) and long-term horizons, and that some interim treatments (paint, bollards) are intended to be implemented without full reconstruction. She said adopting the plan helps the city pursue federal, regional and local grant opportunities and positions projects for inclusion in future bond programs.
Costanza also said outreach informed the recommendations: the project used open houses, online surveys and a city listserv of several hundred island stakeholders to shape the plan's priorities, including community interest in golf-cart connectivity and access to Park Road 22 businesses. The Planning Commission voted to forward the recommendation; the plan is scheduled for a City Council public hearing and possible adoption on Feb. 10.
Next steps: staff will transmit the commission's recommendation to City Council and update the project website and contact listserv with the commission's action.
