Agenda Item: 12
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: February 27, 2024
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO SPEED HUMP/CUSHION PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Joel Bareng
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the update to the Citywide Speed Hump/Cushion Program (Program), which will allow an individual property owner to request a speed hump/cushion evaluation. The City of Santa Clarita would assume responsibility of surveying affected property owners on the subject street and the costs associated with Program implementation.
BACKGROUND
On July 13, 2010, the City Council adopted a Citywide Speed Hump/Cushion Program (Program). The Program established procedures and criteria for the installation of speed humps/cushions on residential streets. On July 10, 2018, the City Council updated the Program to change the minimum average daily traffic volume requirement from 2,000 vehicles to 1,500 vehicles.
The City of Santa Clarita (City) has successfully installed speed humps/cushions on the following residential streets: Benz Road, Alaminos Drive, Canterwood Drive, Contessa Avenue, Franwood Drive, Abelia Road, Thompson Ranch Drive, Pamplico Drive, Ermine Street, Dorothy Street, and Santa Catarina Road. In each instance, the installation of speed humps/cushions has reduced prevailing speeds as compared to pre-installation conditions.
The Program was designed so that requesting a speed hump/cushion study was initiated by a Neighborhood Watch Group or Homeowners Association (HOA). Neighborhood Watch Groups are no longer an option; therefore residential areas without an HOA have been excluded from the Program. This update will redesign the Program so that a single property owner with an address on the subject street can make an evaluation request.
The current Program requires that 67 percent of the property owners along the affected street support installation of speed humps/cushions. This has put a burden on the property owners of neighborhoods desiring speed humps/cushions by requiring them to coordinate a large mailing or
door-to-door effort. This update will remove that requirement, authorizing City staff to perform the neighborhood survey.
The current Program also states the cost to install speed cushions shall be borne by the property owners of the subject street through formation of a benefit assessment district. To date, the City has funded installation of all speed cushions - this update will bring the Program into conformance with existing practice. If a subject street meets both minimum street/traffic criteria and resident support, as outlined in the Program Package, the subject street will be added to the City's speed cushion priority list, with installation subject to funding and City Council approval.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funds are available in the Traffic and Transportation Planning Administration (1004400) budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to support the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
Speed Cushion Package 2024