City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 25, 2022 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: 3 & 6 SUBJECT: SPEED LIMIT ZONE ESTABLISHMENTS ON CALMHILL DRIVE AND FRANCES STREET – ORDINANCE ISSUES:
Establishment of: 1) a 25 MPH speed limit zone on Calmhill Drive from California Avenue to Challen Avenue; and 2) a 30 MPH speed limit zone on Frances Street from Washington Street to Sundance Trail.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council introduce and adopt an ordinance to:
Establish a 25 MPH speed limit zone on Calmhill Drive from California Avenue to Challen Avenue; and Establish a 30 MPH speed limit zone on Frances Street from Washington Street to Sundance Trail.
BACKGROUND:
The proposal to establish a 25 MPH speed limit zone on Calmhill Drive from California Avenue to Challen Avenue and a 30 MPH speed limit zone on Frances Street from Washington Street to Sundance Trail was tentatively scheduled to be considered by the Transportation Board (Board) on both August 3, 2022 and September 7, 2022, however, both meetings were cancelled due to insufficient agenda items. The proposal was subsequently scheduled for consideration by the Transportation Board on October 5, 2022, however, this meeting was cancelled to accommodate a public hearing pertaining to redistricting to be held on October 5, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. by the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee of the City Council. As a result, this proposal is being taken directly to City Council for consideration to avoid further delays in processing.
The Public Works Department performs speed surveys to establish appropriate speed limits on City streets including those classified as collector, arterial, and local roadways which do not meet the California Vehicle Code (CVC) definition of a “Residence District.” These surveys include consideration of prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements, accident data, unusual conditions not readily apparent to motorists, residential density, and pedestrian and bicyclist safety. These surveys are performed in accordance with the CVC and California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) and enable both establishment and enforcement of the posted speed limit on many of our city streets.
DISCUSSION:
Calmhill Drive
Calmhill Drive between California Avenue and Challen Avenue is a two-lane local roadway with residential properties situated along the west side and Challen Park located along the east side of the street segment. There is currently a 25 MPH speed limit posted within this stretch of roadway, however, the street does not have the residential density to meet the California Vehicle Code (CVC) definition of a residential district to qualify for prima facie 25 MPH zone thus requiring a speed survey to determine the appropriate speed limit. To establish an enforceable speed limit, the Public Works Department conducted a Traffic and Engineering Survey on Calmhill Drive from California Avenue to Challen Avenue which concluded the current 85th percentile speed to be 31 MPH. As a result of the survey findings and noted unusual conditions including segment with dirt shoulder, east side lacks sidewalk improvements, and proximity to Challen Park, the Public Works Department is recommending the establishment of a 25 MPH speed limit on Calmhill Drive from California Avenue to Challen Avenue.
Frances Street
Frances Street between Washington Street and Sundance Trail is a two-lane local roadway with residential homes situated along the street segment. There is currently a 25 MPH posted speed limit within this stretch of roadway, however, the street does not have the residential density to meet the CVC definition of a residential district to qualify for a prima facie 25 MPH zone thus requiring a speed survey to determine the appropriate speed limit. To establish an enforceable speed limit, the Public Works Department conducted a Traffic and Engineering Survey on Frances Street from Washington Street to Sundance Trail which concluded the current 85th percentile speed to be 32 MPH. As a result of the survey findings the Public Works Department is proposing establishment of a 30 MPH speed limit on Frances Street from Washington Street to Sundance Trail.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This proposal contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.4 - Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust: Development of Speed limit zones establishes Community Trust through the transparent methodology and public process that is set forth by the California Vehicle Code which requires an Engineering and Traffic Survey to determine the appropriate speed limit for a specific street segment. The speed limit zones are a direct response to resident concerns about speed management along public streets.
Equity: The development of speed zones is a traffic calming tool that manages speeds on the public roadway to allow for the safe usage of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Fiscal Responsibility: Speed limit zones are a cost-effective measure to regulate speeds on the roadway, to inform motorists about the design speed, and to increase safety.
Innovation: This project is neutral towards this cross-cutting thread Sustainability & Resiliency: The Engineering and Traffic Surveys that establish enforceable speed limits are valid for a maximum of 7 years and thus, the Police Services Department can enforce the speed limits once it is established on the roadway.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact of this action is estimated to be $1,170 for the costs of sign fabrication and installation. Funds are budgeted and available in the General Fund, Public Works Department-Streets Maintenance, Signing Supplies account number 4110100-424143.
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Ordinance
Calmhill Drive – Site Map
Frances Street – Site Map
Speed Limit Zone Establishments on Calmhill Drive & Frances Street Page 2