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January 20, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Speed Limit Adjustment: First Avenue between ‘E’ Street and ‘L’ Street and Second Avenue between ‘C’ Street and ‘L’ Street Decrease from 30 MPH to 25 MPH
Report Number: 25-0220
Location: First Avenue between ‘E’ Street and ‘L’ Street and Second Avenue between ‘C’ Street and ‘L’ Street 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 reducing the speed limits on First Avenue between ‘E’ Street and ‘L’ Street and Second Avenue between ‘C’ Street and ‘L’ Street from 30 MPH to 25 MPH and amending Schedule X of the Register maintained in the office of the City Engineer to reflect the amended speed limits. (First Reading)
SUMMARY
Staff completed a review of roadway segments based on Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) prepared in accordance with the California Vehicle Code (CVC) that have since initially expired and may qualify as a residence or business district. Accord ing to the CVC, a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph can be posted on road segments in business or residence districts without an E&TS provided that the road meets the criteria for a business or residence district . Therefore, staff recommends that the exist ing posted speed limit s on First Avenue between ‘E’ Street and ‘L’ Street (the “First Avenue Segment”) and Second Avenue between ‘C’ Street and ‘L’ Street (the “Second Avenue Segment”; collectively the “Segments”) of 30 mph be reduced to 25 mph based on them meeting criteria for a residence district (see Attachment 1, Location Plat).
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 s on August 14, 2025 and October 9, 2025, voted to concur with staff’s recommendation to reduce the existing 30 mph speed limit on the Segment to a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph based on meeting the definition of a residence district for First Avenue Segment and Second Avenue Segment, respectively (Attachment 2).
DISCUSSION
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) establishes minimum and maximum prima facie speed limits for all streets in the State. The minimum default prima facie speed limit is 25 miles per hour (MPH) and the maximum speed limit is 65 MPH. An engineering and traffic survey (E&TS) is required to change the prima facie limit and/or update various speed limits in the City.
The CVC requires that local agencies review changes in local speed limits every five to seven years to determine whether the existing street segment speed limits require updates due to the age of the engineering and traffic survey or due to changes in roadway and traffic conditions. In addition, the CVC sets a prima facie speed limit of 25 MPH on roads in business or residence districts.
The definitions for business and residence districts in the CVC have a few caveats, but generally, the CVC defines a residence district as a road with at least 13 separate dwellings on one side within a quarter mile or at least 16 separate dwelling houses on both sides within a quarter mile.
Physical Conditions
The following summarizes the conditions along the First Avenue Segment:
Classification – Class II Collector
Length/Width – 1.71 miles and 38’ to 40’ wide
Average Daily Traffic: 2,935
Number of Lanes: Two travel lanes (one per direction) Existing Speed Limit – 30 mph
Striping – Double yellow centerline
Parking – Parking is allowed along both sides
Horizontal Alignment – Straight
Fronting Dwellings per ¼ Mile (135/1.71 mi) – 19.7
Longest Uninterrupted Segment – 0.46 miles
The following summarizes the conditions along the Second Avenue Segment:
Classification – Class II Collector
Length/Width – 2.21 miles and 38’ to 40’ wide
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Average Daily Traffic: 7,195
Number of Lanes: Two travel lanes (one per direction) Existing Speed Limit – 30 mph (25 mph D street to E Street for Senior Zone) Striping –Double yellow centerline
Parking – Parking is allowed along both sides
Horizontal Alignment – Straight
Fronting Dwellings per ¼ Mile (204/ 2.21 mi) – 23.1
Longest Uninterrupted Segment – 0.48 miles (through Senior Zone) The Segments include more than 16 dwellings per quarter mile, which meets the definition of a residence district per the CVC. In addition, because both Segments are 40 feet or less wide, have one travel lane in each direction, and have not more than one half mile of uninterrupted length along their entire lengths, they meet the definition of local road s per the CVC. Therefore, the Segment s as residence district s should not be considered “speed traps” in accordance with the CVC.
Community Outreach
Public outreach for this item included presentation to and consideration by the Traffic Safety Commission at its meetings on A ugust 14, 2025 and October 9, 2025. In addition to the publication of the Commission agendas online, the meetings were further advertised at major entry points to the affected area.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council me mbers and has found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the Segments which are 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 speed limit signs and speed limit legends on the subject Segments. 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
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2. Traffic Safety Commission Report & Resolution, August 14, 2025, Item #5.2 and October 9, 2025, Item #5.1
Staff Contact: Oscar Cortes, Senior Traffic Engineer
Paul Oberbauer, Principal Traffic Engineer
Eddie Flores, Assistant Director of Engineering/City Traffic Engineer