The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About12/18/1990, 5 - REVISION OF MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 10.56.010, MODIFYING SPEED LIMITS W�IYIIII(I�I I IIIIIII MmDec. DATE: Ia city 0f luSan 1s OBSF�0 ec. 18 1490 NNiZe COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT "''NUMaEa: FROM: David F. Romero, Public Works Dire for Wayne A. Peterson, City Engineer Prepared by: John Rawles, Engineering Assistant/Traffic SUBJECT: Revision of Municipal. Code Section 10.56.010, Modifying Speed Limits RECOMMENDATION: By motion, introduce an ordinance to print modifying speed limit on Tank Farm road from Morning Glory Way to Orcutt road. BACKGROUND: The State of California Vehicle Code sets guidelines for the establishment of speed limits on city streets. Generally, any street designated as a collector, arterial or thoroughfare must have a speed limit justified by an "Engineering and Traffic Survey". This is a review of road conditions including prevailing speeds, accident records and any road conditions which are not apparent to the driver. The Vehicle Code requires that these surveys be reviewed and updated every five years. As drivers become familiar with these requirements, the police officers have experienced increasing difficulty in court defending the issuance of tickets. To provide a strong basis for the enforcement of city speed limits, the Engineering division reviews existing speed limits and the current speed of traffic on streets which have a designation other than that of a local street. DISCUSSION: The review includes: 1. A radar survey of the prevailing speeds. This is done when traffic is fairly light so that the speeds taken represent the speed at which drivers feel comfortable driving that particular street. The State has adopted the policy that eighty-five percent of the drivers will travel at a safe speed when not influenced by their fellow travelers. Whenever possible, speed limits should be set at or near this speed to assist in the smooth flow of traffic. We all have different opinions as to how many of our fellow drivers are safe; however, the 85th percentile is the standard used for enforcement purposes. Any speed adopted that is lower than the 85th percentile speed must have some justification. The justification of lower speeds must be based on conditions which are not readily apparent to a driver. 2. A review of the accident records. In some cases accidents are high, indicating drivers are probably not perceiving possible hazards. �►n�ii��IIIIIi�I�nNu�i��il city of san Luis osispo MONGs COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Modified Speed Limits December 18, 1990 Page Two 3. A review of any unusual intersection or road geometries. Steep grades or sharp curves can present limitations in visibility which make it impossible for drivers to see far enough in advance to react safely to hazards in the roadway. These limitations may give justification for lowering the posted speed. After all these things have been considered, the City Engineer makes a recommendation for a speed which will be both safe and enforceable. Tickets issued for violation of speed limits not established in this manner will not be supported by the courts. SPEED LIMIT CHANGES: The formerly adopted speed limit of 50 mph is now being recommended for revision. Tank Farm Rd. , Morning Glory Way - Orcutt Rd. Recommended Speed Limit - 45 mph Analysis: This is a designated arterial street with limited access and connection with a rural county road. The 85th percentile speer is 48 mph and there have been no accidents since the street opened in late 1988. Since the adoption of the 50 mph speed oni July 3, 1990, a significant number of new residential homes have been occupied in this area. There have also been numerous complaints by residents regarding the safety of a 50 mph street in an area of increasing population density. The California State Vehicle Code provides for a 10 'mph zone in which the speed may be adjusted either up or down by 5 mph from the 85 percentile speed. Also, the speed for the safe stopping sight distance for the existing vertical curve has been determined to be 45 mph. This sight distance may not be readily apparent to the driver which may result in drivers traveling at an unsafe speed. STAFF CONCURRENCE: The Police department has reviewed the proposed changes in speed limits and supports the engineering recommendations. FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of implementing the newly adopted speed limits will be minimal. The work required will entail the changing or relocating ofi signs and will be done by City crews. ►�»ai ►Ilil(i�P° ��llll city of san tins oBispo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Modified Speed Limits December 18, 1990 Page Three CONSEQUENCES POR NOT TARING ACTION: If the ordinance is not adopted, the posted speed limit will continue to be enforceable since the posted speed of 50 mph can be supported by the original engineering and traffic survey that was performed in March 1990. speeds/jr I TANK FARM ROAD O EXISTING SPEEDS BROAD TO MORNING GLORY 40 MPH MORNING GLORY TO ORCUTT 50 MPH PROPOSED SPEED CHANGE MORNING GLORY TO ORCUTT 45 MPH n t 1 P Y \ r s-� ORDINANCE NO. (1990 Series) , AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BAN LUIS OBISPO REVISING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 10:56 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. Section 10.56.010 of the Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows: SECTION 10.56. 010 MODIFICATION OF STATE SPEED LIMIT ON CERTAIN STREETS OR PORTIONS THEREOF - SIGN ERECTION. It is determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey that the speed. otherwise permitted by state law upon the following streets does not fall within reasonable or safe limits under the conditions found to exist upon such streets. It is ^1 declared that the prima facie speed limit shall be as set forth in this section on those streets or parts of streets herein designated when signs are erected giving notice thereof: Speed Limit Name of Street and Portion Affected_ (Miles Per Hour) BUCHON STREET between Johnson Avenue 25 and High Street CALIFORNIA BLVD. between Phillips Lane 35 and Foothill Boulevard CHORRO STREET between Walnut Street 30 and Foothill Boulevard ELKS LANE between Higuera Street 35 and Prado Road FOOTHILL BOULEVARD between Ferrini Road_ 40 and the westerly City limits FOOTHILL BOULEVARD between Ferrini Road 30 and California Boulevard Ordinance No. (1990 Series) Page Two. Name of Street and Portion nffp,.ted Speed Limit (Miles Per Hour) GARDEN ALLEY 10* GRAND AVENUE between Slack Street 35 and Monterey Street HIGH STREET between Higuera Street 30 and Broad Street HIGUERA STREET between Marsh Street 30 and Madonna Road HIGUERA STREET between Madonna Road 40 and Prado Road HIGUERA STREET between Prado Road 45 and south City limits JOHNSON AVENUE between Orcutt Road 35 and Lizzie Street OJOHNSON AVENUE between Lizzie Street 25 and Monterey Street LAUREL LANE between Johnson Avenue 30 and Southwood Drive LAUREL LANE between Southwood Drive 40 and Orcutt Road LEFF STREET between Santa Rosa Street 20 and Osos Street LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD between the northerly 45 City limits and Royal Way LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD between Royal Way 35 and City limits (south of Madonna Rd. ) LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD between City limits 40 (Calle Joaquin) and Higuera Street MADONNA ROAD between Higuera Street and 35 Dalidio Lane U J��P Ordinance No. (1990 Series) Page Three. =�� i Speed Limit Name of Street and Portion Affected (Miles Per Hour) MADONNA ROAD between Dalidio Lane 45 and a point 200 feet east of Pereira Drive MADONNA ROAD between a point 200 feet east of 35 Pereira Drive and Los Osos Valley Road MONTEREY STREET between U. S. 101 30 and Santa Rosa Street OCEANAIRE DRIVE between Madonna Road 25 and Los Osos Valley Road ORCUTT ROAD between Broad Street 40 and Johnson Avenue OSOS STREET. between Leff Street 30 and Buchon Street PATRICIA DRIVE between Foothill Boulevard 30 and Clover Drive PISMO STREET between Broad Street 30 and Higuera Street PRADO ROAD between U.S. 101 40 and .Higuera Street PREFUMO CANYON ROAD between Los Osos Valley Road 35 and the City limits SAN LUIS DRIVE between Johnson Avenue 30 and California Boulevard SANTA BARBARA AVENUE between South Street 35 and Osos Street SANTA ROSA STREET between Marsh Street 25 and Walnut Street SOUTH STREET between Broad Street 35 and Meadow Street SOUTH STREET between Meadow Street 45 and Beebee Street i Ordinance No. (1990 Series) Page Four Speed Limit Name of Street and Portion Affected (Miles Per Hour) SOUTH STREET between Beebee Street 35 and Higuera Street TANK FARM ROAD between Broad Street 40 and Morning Glory Way TANK FARM ROAD between Morning Glory Way 58 and Orcutt Road ALL ROADS IN CITY PARKS 15* *Speeds set by other than engineering speed studies. SECTION 2 . A summary of this ordinance, together with the ayes and noes, shall be published, at least five (5) days prior to its final passage in the Telegram-Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in said City, and the same shall go into Oeffect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage. A copy of the full text of this ordinance shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk on and after the date following introduction and passage to print and shall -be available to the public. �0-L1 1 Ordinance No. (1 990 Series) Page Five INTRODUCED AND PASSED TO PRINT by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo at a meeting on the day of 1990 on motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ATTEST: MAYOR APPROVED: Qioty .A ;inistrative Officer �- 9 _ORDINANCE SYNOPSIS O ORDINANCE NO. (1990 series) On , the San Luis Obispo City Council voted to to introduce Ordinance No. (1990 Series) , which adopts the speed limit reduction on Tank Farm Road between Morning Glory way and Orcutt Road from 50 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour. The Council must vote again to approve the ordinance before it can take effect. That action is tentatively scheduled for at a regular City Council meeting to begin at 7 : 00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 990 Palm Street. Copies of the complete ordinance are available in the City G Clerk's office of City hall, 990 Palm Street. For more information contact John Rawles - in the Engineering Division at 549-7190. Pam Voges, City Clerk O lr1/leg-draft Ov