Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director of Public Works
Subject: Introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 7.04 (Prima Facie Speed Limits) to reduce the speed limit on sections of Santa Cruz Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas in the West Menlo Park area
RECOMMENDATION:
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Introduction of an ordinance amending Sections 7.04.025 (Speed limit twenty-five miles per hour) and 7.04.030 (Speed limit thirty 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 segments, and waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety:
A) On Santa Cruz Avenue between Alameda de las Pulgas and the corporate limits of the City of Menlo Park; and
B) On Alameda de las Pulgas between Valparaiso Avenue and Harkins Avenue.
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BACKGROUND:
This Board has adopted similar Ordinances designating speed limits in the unincorporated areas of the County.
Section 22352.6.b of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) provides, in part, that a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour exists on any highway in any business or residential district unless a different speed is determined by local authority under procedures set forth in the code.
Section 7.04.030 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code provides in part that speed limits of 30 miles per hour are declared to exist along Santa Cruz Avenue between the corporate limits of the City of Menlo Park and Campo Bello Court near Alameda de las Pulgas, as well as along Alameda de las Pulgas between Camino al Lago and Harkins Avenue, inclusive of the section of Alameda de las Pulgas between Valparaiso Avenue and Harkins Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
Santa Cruz Avenue is a primarily residential street and meets the definition of a local street or road under Section 40802.b.1 of the CVC. The Department of Public Works (Department) believes that reducing vehicle speeds through this section of road will support mobility for bicyclists and pedestrians and recommends establishing a speed limit of 25 miles per hour on Santa Cruz Avenue between Alameda de las Pulgas and the corporate limits of the City of Menlo Park.
The section of Alameda de las Pulgas between Ashton Avenue and Harkins Avenue is primarily commercial and has a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour. Because more than half of the properties fronting the road are businesses, this segment of the road meets the definition of a business district per Section 235 of the CVC. The section of Alameda de las Pulgas between Valparaiso Avenue and Ashton Avenue is primarily residential and also has a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour. This section meets the definition of a residential district per Section 515 of the CVC, as there are more than 16 houses or structures on both sides of the road for every 0.25 miles of roadway. The Department believes that reducing vehicle speeds along these sections of Alameda de las Pulgas can help improve bicyclist and pedestrian mobility and recommends establishing a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour along Alameda de las Pulgas between Valparaiso Avenue and Harkins Avenue per Section 22352 of the CVC.
The Department recommends amending Sections 7.04.025 (Speed limit twenty-five miles per hour) and 7.04.030 (Speed limit thirty 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 miles per hour at the following locations:
1. Santa Cruz Avenue between Alameda de las Pulgas and the corporate limits of the City of Menlo Park; and
2. Alameda de las Pulgas between Valparaiso Avenue and Harkins Avenue.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the Ordinance as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
The proposed lowering of the speed limits can directly improve the accessibility, mobility, and connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists and those that travel through the street. The lowering of speed limits may negatively impact commuters by increasing travel times for those that travel through these streets.
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.