Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Pedestrian Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission requires Texas Roadhouse trail to stop at developer's property line amid safety concerns
Summary
The planning commission approved the site plan for Texas Roadhouse with a condition that a proposed multiuse path terminate at the restaurant's southern property line and include signage, after staff warned the path would place pedestrians across an interstate entrance ramp and the developer objected to liability exposure.
The Mount Juliet Planning Commission approved a site-plan condition adjustment for the Texas Roadhouse project at 105 Bear Crossing on April 16, requiring the proposed multiuse path to terminate at the restaurant's southern property line and to include signage indicating the trail endpoint.
Public Works staff opposed a waiver to remove the multiuse path, saying the path would connect to a receiving ADA ramp and, as designed, would route pedestrians across the I-40 entrance ramp. Todd, the city's traffic reviewer, said the layout reflected standard crosswalks across interstate ramp entrances but acknowledged "inherent risks" when pedestrians cross those facilities.
Developer Mark Lineberry, representing Texas Roadhouse, urged the commission not to encourage pedestrians onto an interstate ramp and proposed ending the path at his property line. "I don't wanna encourage kids especially going down that walkway and ending up in the middle of the interstate," Lineberry said, adding he objected to the plan and would accept a terminus at the property line.
Commissioner (mover) offered a motion to approve the site plan with the change that the trail terminate at the southern property line and that required signage be installed; the motion carried by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the public transcript.
The commission also discussed longer-term connectivity goals. Staff and commissioners said the city hopes to add bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the nearby bridge in a future capital project, but that feature is unfunded and would require a structural and funding review. Staff cautioned that terminating the path at the property line will not prevent determined pedestrians from attempting to cross if they choose.
The decision resolves the applicant's immediate liability concern while keeping the option open for future capital projects to create a continuous crossing over the interstate.
