KAUFMAN, Texas - The Kaufman City Council discussed the City’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan during the evening work session.
Staff and Council discussed drainage along State Highway 34. From time to time, the City and TXDOT must clean up the culvert to keep water from pooling. However, that’s only a temporary solution. It’s staffs hope that when 34 is widened, they can take care of drainage and fix all problems at once.
According to the TXDOT website, we are currently in the “Right of Way acquisition, utility adjustments, and final design” stage, contingent upon funding. The anticipated construction timeframe is 2025-2028, also contingent on funding.
The business of the month, as introduced by Kaufman EDC’s Stewart McGregor, is Gardner Electric. Gardner Electric is located at 1700 CR 280.
The City Engineer has worked with QuikTrip on their request for a truck stop off State Highway 34. There is a proposed southbound right turn lane from SH 34 into the development, which TXDOT has agreed to. There will also be a right exit available. QuikTrip is committed to providing landscaping around the truck area with respect to visibility.
The traffic impact analysis shows a clear view of vision for vehicular traffic. Jim Meara, a developer and also the spokesperson for the landowner, said the applicant is committed to installing a traffic signal for $400,000 for safety, pending TXDOT approval.
The City Council expressed concern about the deacceleration lane and where diesel trucks will enter. QuikTrip responded accordingly, though they cannot guestimate how many 18-wheelers will be moving through daily. Only four diesel bays are planned for this location, which is significantly less than the average at a truck stop.
The Council heard a motion and a second to deny the Special Use Permit. The motion to deny failed. Then, a motion to approve the Special Use Permit was made with a second, and the motion to approve passed.
As the holiday season approaches, the City of Kaufman is preparing to enter into an agreement with TXDOT to close the Courthouse Square on December 2nd from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the Kaufman “Christmas on the Square” event. The City is also preparing for the closure of State
Highway 34 (S. Washington St.) for the Lighted Christmas Parade from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 2nd.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2023.
