v . 0 0 5 P a g e | 1
July 22, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Speed Limit Establishment: Palomar Street Between Bay Boulevard to Walnut Avenue/Frontage Road and Bob Pletcher Way Between Millenia Avenue to Wolf Canyon Loop
Report Number: 25-0169
Location: Palomar Street Between Bay Boulevard to Walnut Avenue/Frontage Road Bob Pletcher Way Between Millenia Avenue to Wolf Canyon Loop
Department: Engineering
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : This Project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15061(b)(3).
Recommended Action
Place an ordinance on first reading establishing the speed limits at the following segments: (1) Palomar Street between Bay Boulevard and Walnut Avenue/Frontage Road at 30 miles per hour (mph) , (2) Bob Pletcher Way between Millenia Avenue and Wolf Canyon Loop at 25 mph , and amending Schedule X of the Register maintained in the office of the City Engineer to reflect the established speed limits. (First Reading)
SUMMARY
Staff completed Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) on segments of Palomar Street and Bob Pletcher Way in accordance with the Califo rnia Vehicle Code (CVC), which indicates that the posting of speed limits that are not the maximum or standard prima facie speed limits be determined by an E&TS for each street with a posted speed limit within the City. Based on the results of the E&TS’s, staff recommends that the speed limits on: (1) Palomar Street between Bay Boulevard and Walnut Avenue/Frontage Road be established at 30 mph; and (2) Bob Pletcher Way between Millenia Avenue and Wolf Canyon Loop be established at 25 mph, (see Attachment 1, Location Plats).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption P a g e | 2
pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities), because the proposed project would not result in a significant effect on the environment, create a cumulative impact, damage a scenic highway, or cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it has also been determined that the activity qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Traffic Safety Commission, at their meeting on April 10, 2025, voted to concur with staff’s recommendation to establish a speed limit on Palomar Street between Bay Boulevard and Walnut Avenue/Frontage Road at 30 mph (Attachment 2) and to establish a speed limit on Bob Pletcher Way between Millenia Avenue and Wolf Canyon Loop at 25 mph (Attachment 3).
DISCUSSION
Background
The CVC establishes minimum and maximum prima facie speed limits for all stre ets in the State. The minimum prima facie speed limit is 25 mph for specific roadways and the maximum speed limit is 65 mph (55 mph for undivided roads). An E&TS is required to change the prima facie speed limit from these preset limits for any City roadway.
The CVC and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) require that local agencies review changes in local speed limits every five, seven, or fourteen years to determine if the existing street segment speed limits require updat ing due to the age of the E&TS or changes in roadway and traffic conditions. Staff completed E&TS’s for the following segments and determined what speed limits were appropriate for the segments in accordance with the CVC and CAMUTCD.
Street Segment Proposed Speed Limit
A Palomar Street Bay Boulevard to Walnut Avenue/Frontage Road 30 mph B Bob Pletcher Way Millenia Avenue to Wolf Canyon Loop 25 mph
Per the California Vehicle Code, the E&TS’s performed by staff included:
(1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements; (2) Collision records; and
(3) Traffic/roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver.
Traffic Calming
Due to the major roadway classification of Palomar Street , no traffic calming me asures can feasibly be implemented. Additionally, for Bob Pletcher Way, the prima facie speed limit is proposed at the minimum of 25 mph.
Speed Enforceability
If the proposed speed limit establishment supported by an E&TS is not approved, the following are the only means of enforcing speeds on the subject segments:
P a g e | 3
Basic Speed Law: police car matches the speed of a vehicle and determines that the speed is unsafe for current conditions. This is generally infeasible due to insufficient police availability and the very short segment lengths.
Maximum Speed Law: use RADAR/LiDAR methods to enforce a speed limit of 65 mph.
If the proposed speed limit is approved, police can use RADAR/LiDAR to enforce the approved posted speed limit.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property -related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(7) or (8), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The establishment of the speed limit requires the posting of new s peed limit signs and speed limit legends on the subject segments of Palomar Street and Bob Pletcher Way. This minor work will be incorporated into the existing Capital Improvement Project TRF0332, Signing and Striping Program. Sufficient funding is available within the project budget to cover the costs, ensuring no additional fiscal impact for the current year.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Regular maintenance of the speed limit pavement legends is required every 5 to 7 years, while signage maintenance occurs every 12 to 15 years. These ongoing costs will be incorporated into the annual budget development process in future years.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Plats
2. Traffic Safety Commission Report & Resolution, April 10, 2025 Item #1
3. Traffic Safety Commission Report & Resolution, April 10, 2025 Item #2
Staff Contact: Oscar Cortes, Senior Traffic Engineer
Paul Oberbauer, Principal Civil Engineer
Eddie Flores, Assistant Director of Engineering/City Traffic Engineer