Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts ordinance banning U‑turns on Morton Road near school, sets penalty and posting timeline
Summary
Katy council voted to add a traffic control device prohibiting U‑turns on Morton Road between Elder Road and Patna Drive, citing safety concerns near a school; staff said signage can be installed immediately and penalties become enforceable after the statutory posting period.
The City of Katy adopted an ordinance on March 23 adding a traffic control device to prohibit U‑turns on Morton Road between Elder Road and Patna Drive, with a penalty not to exceed $200 for violations.
Council discussion focused on safety near a nearby school. Council member Roy Robertson described the situation as dangerous and recounted a resident's report of a near‑crash; "it is and this really is a a dangerous situation that we're dealing with," Robertson said during debate. Katy's police chief told the council most violations occur during school hours and described enforcement limitations under the current traffic pattern, saying the ban will allow officers to enforce behavior that is "currently not enforceable the way it is right now."
City staff explained the statutory posting requirement: the city will send notice for publication and the ordinance's penalty becomes enforceable after the required notice period. Staff said they will send the notice to the newspaper on Friday, it will publish the following Thursday, and penalties may be imposed 15 days after publication; staff also said signs may be posted before tickets are written. The ordinance authorizes the city secretary to publish only the caption and provides for severability and a penalty not to exceed $200.
The council approved the ordinance by voice vote. Staff said they are coordinating with the school to notify parents about the change.
