Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director, Public Works
Subject: Adoption of Ordinances Amending Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) to Reduce the Speed Limit in School Zones in the Unincorporated Areas on Spring Street of North Fair Oaks and on Camino Al Lago of West Menlo Park
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt an ordinance amending Sections 7.04.025 (Speed limit twenty-five miles per hour) and 7.04.035 (Speed limit thirty-five miles per hour) of Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) of Title 7 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to establish a speed limit of 25 miles per hour on the below-designated street segment, previously introduced on August 12, 2025, and waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety:
1. On the westbound direction of Spring Street between Willow Street and Douglas Avenue and in both directions along Spring Street between Douglas Avenue and Second Avenue; and
B) Adopt an ordinance adding Section 7.04.015 (Speed limit fifteen miles per hour) to Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) of Title 7 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to establish a speed limit of 15 miles per hour on the below-designated street segments, previously introduced on August 12, 2025, and waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety:
1. On the westbound direction of Spring Street between Willow Street and a point approximately 140 feet easterly of Kaynyne Street, while children are present; and
2. On the northbound direction of Camino Al Lago between Barney Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas, while children are present.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County Ordinance Code Section 7.04.010 Prima Facie Speed Limits include vehicle speed limits of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 miles per hour (mph).
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) governs how speed limits are established and grants local jurisdictions the authority to establish speed limits. CVC Section 22358.4.(b) allows local jurisdictions to determine and declare a prima facie speed limit in the following manner near schools:
• 15 mph school zones contiguous to the school and within 500 feet of a school boundary; and
• 25 mph school zones between 500 feet and 1000 feet from a school boundary.
Furthermore, the CVC defines the criteria that must be satisfied for these speed limits to be implemented on streets near schools:
1. No more than two through traffic lanes; and
2. A posted speed limit of 30 mph or lower; and
3. Within a residence district (as defined by the CVC); and
4. Contiguous to a school.
Pursuant to the CVC sections cited above, implementation of new speed limits requires adoption of an ordinance or resolution by this Board and installation of appropriate signage. The reduced speed limits are in effect while children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period, and when approaching school grounds that are not separated from the highway (street) by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children per the CVC.
Section 7.04.035 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code provides in part that speed limits of 35 miles per hour are declared to exist along westbound Spring Street between Willow Street and Douglas Avenue, as well as along both directions of Spring Street between Douglas Avenue and Second Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
Spring Street
The City of Redwood City (City) has adopted a resolution to reduce the posted speed limits to 15 mph while children are present on certain streets within 500 feet of school grounds pursuant to their goal of strategic priorities to support traffic safety. The City has performed a study for streets in select school zones to justify the speed limit reduction. The westbound section of Spring Street between Willow Street and a point approximately 140 feet easterly of Kaynyne Street in unincorporated North Fair Oaks was included as part of the City’s study and recommendations. The City requests that the County adopt these reduced speed limits for the unincorporated street section as outlined in their recommendations. The City will install and maintain the signs in the County right-of-way after obtaining an encroachment permit and executing a maintenance agreement.
The section of Spring Street between Willow Street and a point approximately 140 feet easterly of Kaynyne Street meets the definition of a residence district per Section 515 of the CVC and meets the definition of a local street or road per Section 40802.(b)(1) of the CVC. The Department of Public Works (Department) recommends that reducing vehicle speeds through this section of Spring Street can help improve safety for students walking and biking to school during school hours.
The westbound section of Spring Street between Willow Street and Douglas Avenue and the section of Spring Street between Douglas Avenue and Second Avenue in both directions has a prima facie speed limit of 35 mph. The 35 mph prima facie speed limit was adopted by this Board in Ordinance No. 04521 on September 28, 2010.
The Department recommends amending Sections 7.04.025 (Speed limit twenty-five miles per hour) and 7.04.035 (Speed limit thirty-five miles per hour) of Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to establish a speed limit of 25 mph at the following location:
1. Westbound direction of Spring Street between Willow Street and Douglas Avenue, and both directions of Spring Street between Douglas Avenue and Second Avenue.
Furthermore, pursuant to CVC Section 22358.4.(b)(1)(A), the Department recommends adding Section 7.05.015 (Speed limit fifteen miles per hour) to Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to establish a speed limit of 15 mph at the following location:
1. Westbound direction of Spring Street between Willow Street and a point approximately 140 feet easterly of Kaynyne Street, while children are present.
The Department has reviewed and concurs with the recommendations of the study performed by the City as support for the speed limit reduction.
Camino Al Lago
The Town of Atherton (Town) has adopted a resolution to reduce the posted speed limits to 15 mph while children are present on certain streets within 500 feet of school grounds pursuant to their goal of increasing safety for students walking and biking to school. The northbound section of Camino Al Lago between Barney Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas in unincorporated West Menlo Park was included as part of the Town’s study and recommendations. The Town has requested that the County adopt these reduced speed limits for the unincorporated street section that was outlined in their recommendations.
The section of Camino Al Lago between Barney Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas meets the definition of a residence district per Section 515 of the CVC and has a posted speed limit of 25 mph. The Department recommends that reducing vehicle speeds through this section of Camino Al Lago can help improve safety for students walking and biking to school.
Pursuant to CVC Section 22358.4.(b)(1)(A), in addition to the aforementioned segment of Spring Street, the Department recommends including the following location in Section 7.05.015 (Speed limit fifteen miles per hour) of Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code to establish a speed limit of 15 mph:
1. Northbound direction of Camino Al Lago between Barney Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas, while children are present.
The Department has retained a consultant to perform a study on schools located within or contiguous to the unincorporated areas of the County to develop criteria for implementing slower speeds in designated school zones. The criteria may include prioritization of locations based on such items as: the built environment in the area; collision history; location in a Metropolitan Transportation Commission, SamTrans or C/CAG-defined equity priority/focus area; roadway usage; upstream and downstream speed limits; proximity to adjacent jurisdictions; and ease of enforcement. The study was initiated in May 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by February 2026. The Department recommends the speed limit reduction for the sections of Spring Street and Camino Al Lago before the completion of the study due to the work completed by the City and Town to evaluate speed limits near schools in their jurisdictions and at the request of the City and the Town. The sections of Spring Street and Camino Al Lago discussed here are included in the Department’s study.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the Ordinances as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The lowering of the speed limits can directly enhance the accessibility, safety, and connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those that travel through the street. The school zone speed limits are only in effect when children are present. The lowering of speed limits may negatively impact commuters by increasing travel times for those that travel through these streets when the school zone speed limits are in effect.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The staff costs for evaluating and processing requests for traffic regulations is paid for by the Road Fund as part of the administrative cost associated with evaluating traffic-related requests on the County maintained road system. The estimated cost of changing speed limit signs is approximately $600 per location, which is paid for by the Road Fund.
There is no impact to the General Fund.