HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Changing Speed Limits on Three Streets in San Rafael____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: 12/16/2019
Disposition: Passed Ordinance 1978 to print
Agenda Item No: 5.c
Meeting Date: December 16, 2019
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Public Works
Prepared by: Bill Guerin,
Director of Public Works
City Manager Approval: ________
File No.: 18.06.77
TOPIC: CHANGING SPEED LIMITS ON THREE STREETS IN SAN RAFAEL
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SAN RAFAEL SPEED
ZONES TO CHANGE THE SPEED LIMITS ON FRANCISCO BOULEVARD
WEST FROM SECOND STREET TO RICE DRIVE, AND THE COMMERCIAL
AREAS OF DU BOIS STREET AND WOODLAND AVENUE
RECOMMENDATION:
Pass the ordinance amending San Rafael speed zones to change the speed limits on Francisco
Boulevard West, Du Bois Street, and W oodland Avenue to print.
BACKGROUND: The California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22357 requires posted speed
limits along collector and arterial roadways be established and justified by an Engineering and
Traffic Survey (E&TS). Furthermore, per CVC Section 40802, in order for posted speed limits to
be enforceable, each Engineering and Traffic Survey needs to be updated every seven (7)
years. The update interval of the Speed Survey can be extended to ten (10) years when a
registered engineer determines that no significant changes in roadway or traffic conditions have
occurred. Posted speed limits that do not have a current Engineering and Traffic Survey are
enforceable by the Police Department by pacing, but not by radar.
In April 2018, the City entered into an agreement with W-Trans to conduct the Engineering and
Traffic Surveys update. In March 2019, the proposed speed limit change from 25 mph to 30
mph on Los Gamos Drive and Redwood Highway was presented to City Council and accepted.
In September 2019, the City completed the E&TS for segments previously affected by abnormal
traffic patterns due to construction for PG&E and SMART projects. As shown in Attachment A,
the surveys were conducted for the remaining eight roadway segments during non-holiday
weeks in the month of September 2019, on typical weekdays under normal free flowing
conditions.
ANALYSIS: According to the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA
MUTCD), the posted speed limit established after 2006 must be set at the nearest 5 mile-per-
hour (mph) increment of the 85th percentile speed that was surveyed (the average speed of 85
percent of the drivers on the road), with the City Traffic Engineer having the option of lowering it
by an additional 5 mph to address traffic safety needs of the community. For example, an 85th
percentile speed of 28 mph will result in a posted speed limit of 30 mph (the nearest 5 mph
increment), with the City Traffic Engineer having the option of lowering it down to 25 mph.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
According to the Engineering and Traffic Survey update results, using the post-2006
regulations, there are three roadway segments where the consultants are recommending a
change in the posted speed limit. The posted speed limits along the remaining roadway
segments that were studied will remain unchanged.
Roadway Segment Limit Existing Speed Proposed Speed
DuBois Street from Irwin Street to Woodland
Avenue
25 mph 30 mph
Francisco Boulevard West from Second Street to
Rice Drive
35 mph 30 mph
Woodland Avenue from DuBois Street to Auburn
Street
25 mph 30 mph
CVC section 22357(a) provides that an ordinance is required to increase the speed limit on
these streets:
Whenever a local authority determines upon the basis of an engineering and
traffic survey that a speed greater than 25 miles per hour would facilitate the
orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe upon
any street other than a state highway otherwise subject to a prima facie limit of
25 miles per hour, the local authority may by ordinance determine and declare a
prima facie speed limit of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 miles per hour or a
maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour, whichever is found most appropriate
to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and is reasonable and safe.
Staff has prepared an ordinance to implement the recommended speed limit changes
(Attachment B). Staff has determined that adoption of this ordinance will have no effect on the
environment and is therefore exempt from environmental review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (14 Cal Code Regs. Section 15061.)
FISCAL IMPACT: The minimal fiscal impact resulting from speed limit sign replacements and
pavement marking changes to be performed by the Streets Maintenance Division staff is
covered under the existing budget as part of general operations.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Public outreach was made through posting of the City Council
agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and staff report on the
City’s web page, and availability of the agenda and staff report in the City Clerk’s office, and
publication in the Marin Independent Journal (Marin IJ). DPW also posted the proposed speed
limit changes on Nextdoor for a week and received a minimal number of responses, mixed
between support and opposition.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider relating to this matter:
1. Pass the ordinance to print as presented.
2. Do not pass the ordinance to print.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Pass the ordinance amending San Rafael speed zones to change
the speed limits on Francisco Boulevard W est, Du Bois Street, and Woodland Avenue to print.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Engineering and Traffic Surveys Recommendations
B. Ordinance Regarding Speed Limit Change on DuBois Street, Francisco Boulevard West,
and Woodland Avenue pursuant to Section 22357 of the California Vehicle Code
C. Public Hearing Notice
mable 1 -Su;,,f!:la!:}! of Engineering an!I TrJ!ffic Surveys _
Street
Study Segment
2'' St
Marquard Ave-Hayes St
4 th St
H St-Lincoln Ave
Ross Valley Dr-Marquard Ave
5th Ave
Grand Ave-H St
H St-West End
Andersen Dr
Bel/am Blvd-Sanitary Treatment Plant
Francisco Blvd W-Bel/am Blvd
Lindaro St-Francisco Blvd W
B St
Woodland Ave-Second St
Balboa St
Pt. San Pedro Rd-Lochinvar Rd
Civic Center Dr
Freitas Pkwy-Ave of the Flags
D St
Second St-Antonette Ave
Du Bois St
Irwin St-Woodland Ave
Francisco Blvd E
Bel/am Blvd-Grand Ave
Irene St-l-580
Francisco Blvd W
Rice Dr-2nd Street
US 101 5 Ramps-Rice Dr
Grand Ave
Mountain View Ave-Mission Ave
Hetherton St
Mission Ave-Second St
Average Collision Rates Critical Existing Proposed
Speed Speed Speed
Segment San State of (85th Limit Limit
Rafael CA Percentile)
1.99 3.80 2.22 39 35 35
9.80 4.27 2.21 29 25 25
1.12 1.12 1.48 42 35 35
24.S 4.27 2.21 28 25 25
1.87 4.27 2.21 32 25 25
2.15 4.27 2.21 38 35 35
5.10 3.80 2.22 34 35 35
2.31 4.27 2.21 39 35 35
10.01 4.27 2.21 29 25 25
0.00 4.27 2.21 28 25 25
2.06 2.28 1.57 36 30 30
6.89 4.27 2.21 33 30 30
5.41 4.27 2.21 33 25 30
2.91 2.28 1.57 35 30 30
2.70 4.27 2.21 42 35 35
1.24 4.27 2.21 33 35 30
3.10 4.27 2.21 41 35 35
3.21 4.27 2.21 32 25 25
16.55 7.23 1.57 31 25 25
Final Engineering and Traffic Surveys for the City of San Rafael
November 12, 2019
" " ,, 2 <-z /2 ""' -~-ira61p 1 -S!,!mmi!•Y of,E!fglrfeerjng ancl irraffic Surveys 'v
Street Average Collision Rates
Study Segment
Segment San State of
Rafael
Irwin St
Second St-Mission Ave 9.43 7.23
Kerner Blvd
Bel/am Blvd-Canal St 5.95 4.27
Irene St-Bel/am Blvd 2.66 2.66
Las Colindas Ave
Las Ovejas Ave-Las Pavadas Ave 5.82 4.27
Las Ovejas Ave
Montecillo Rd-Las Colindas Ave 3.94 4.27
Lincoln Ave
Linden Ln-lrwin St 8.63 4.27
Lindaro St
Woodland Ave-2nd St 5.05 4.27
LosGamos Rd
Lucas Valley Rd-End 1.83 4.27
Manuel T. Freitas Pkwy
Montecillo Rd-Redwood Hwy 5.26 3.80
Mission Ave
Embarcadero Wy-Lincoln Ave 9.17 4.27
Lincoln Ave-H St 4.79 4.27
Montecillo Rd
Nova Albion Wy-Las Ovejas Ave 3.75 4.27
Mountain View Ave
Grand Ave-End 0.00 4.27
N San Pedro Rd
Los Ranchitos Rd-Golf Ave 1.65 2.28
Northgate Dr
Las Gallinas Ave-Los Ranchitos Rd 2.11 4.27
Professional Center Pkwy
Redwood Hwy-Channing Wy 4.33 4.27
Redwood Hwy
Smith Ranch Rd-4222 Redwood Hwy 0.99 4.27
4222 Redwood Hwy-Freitas Pkwy 3.32 4.27
Final Engineering and Traffic Surveys for the City of San Rafael
November 12, 2019
CA
1.57
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.22
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
1.57
2.21
2.21
2.21
2.21
" -' .
Critical Existing Proposed
Speed Speed Speed
(85th Limit Limit
Percentile)
29 25 25
32 25 25
37 30 30
32 25 25
24 25 25
32 25 25
31 25 25
33 25 30
38 35 35
28 25 25
31 25 25
31 25 25
32 25 25
37 30 30
28 25 25
27 25 25
37 30 30
33 25 30
~able 1 :_)umm~~ of EngineeJi,;g and Traffic S!JtV;:{5 ---. ---.
Street Average Collision Rates Critical Existing Proposed
Study Segment Speed Speed Speed
Segment San State of (85th Limit Limit
Rafael CA Percentile)
Riviera Dr
Pt. San Pedro Rd-Biscayne Dr 4.06 4.27 2.21 29 25 25
Smith Ranch Rd
Redwood Hwy-End 1.69 3.80 2.22 39 35 35
Woodland Ave
B St-Du Bois St 2.63 4.27 2.21 28 25 25
Du Bois St-Auburn St 1.77 4.27 2.21 30 25 30
Notes: Collision rates are shown in collisions per million vehicle miles; Speed is shown in miles per hour; Bold text
indicates an increase in the recommended speed limit; Italicized text indicates a decrease in the recommended
speed limit
Changes to Posted Speed Limits
The four segments with recommendations for increased speed limits are discussed below. Each segment currently
has a posted speed of 25 mph and a recommendation to increase the speed limit to 30 mph based on the
analytical findings of this survey combined with engineering judgement. Additionally, there is one segment with
a recommendation to decrease the speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph.
DuBois Street -Irwin Street to Woodland Avenue
Despite a posted speed limit of 25 mph, the critical speed was measured as 33 mph. Although this would round
to 35 mph, it is outside the pace of 24 to 34 mph. Based on this along with a high collision rate, a reduction to 30
mph is recommended. This would represent an increase of 5 mph.
Francisco Boulevard West -Rice Drive to 2 nd Street
The sampled critical speed for this segment of Francisco Boulevard West is 33 mph. As the pace is 24 to 34 mph,
it is recommended that the critical speed be rounded down to 30 mph. This would result in a decrease of 5 mph.
Los Ga mos Road -Lucas Valley Road to End
This roadway had an 35<h percentile speed of 33 mph, which is eight mph higher than the existing posted speed
limit. However, the apparent speed limit of 35 mph is at the top end of the pace of 25 to 35 mph, and so the
proposed speed limit is 30 mph, an increase of 5 mph.
Redwood Highway-4222 Redwood Highway to Manuel T. Freitas Parkway
Though the critical speed was measured at 33 mph, given the above-average collision rate of 3.32 c/mvm and
pace of 23 to 33 mph, it is recommended that the speed limit be raised to 30 mph, an increase of 5 mph.
Woodland Avenue -DuBois Streetto Auburn Street
This segment of Woodland Avenue has a below-average collision rate and a critical speed of 30 mph, which is
within the pace. Therefore, it is recommended that the speed limit be set at 30 mph, an increase of 5 mph.
Final Engineering and Traffic Surveys for the City of San Rafael
November 12, 2019
1
ORDINANCE NO. 1978
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL REGARDING SPEED LIMIT CHANGE ON
FRANCISCO BOULEVARD WEST, WOODLAND AVENUE, AND DU BOIS STREET
PURSUANT TO SECTION 22357 OF THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
DIVISION 1. FINDINGS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 22357 of the California Vehicle Code, the City of San Rafael has
the right to determine that a speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour (mph) on certain streets
would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe; and
WHEREAS, the speed limit on Du Bois Street is now 25 mph, the speed limit on Woodland
Avenue is 25 mph, and the speed limit on Francisco Boulevard West is now 35 mph; and
WHEREAS, engineering and traffic studies have been prepared for Du Bois Street, Woodland
Avenue, and Francisco Boulevard West consistent with Section 627 of the California Vehicle
Code that identify recommended maximum speed limits, and based thereon, the City’s Traffic
Engineer has determined and recommended that the maximum speed limit on both streets should
be changed to 30 mph to facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic, and would be
reasonable and safe;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
DIVISION 2. SPEED LIMIT ESTABLISHED.
The prima facie speed limit on Du Bois Street from Irwin Street to Woodland Avenue is hereby
increased to 30 mph and shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are
erected upon the street.
DIVISION 3. SPEED LIMIT ESTABLISHED.
The prima facie speed limit on Woodland Avenue from Du Bois Street to Auburn Street is hereby
increased to 30 mph and shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are
erected upon the street.
DIVISION 4. SPEED LIMIT ESTABLISHED.
The prima facie speed limit on Francisco Boulevard West from 2nd Street to Rice Drive is hereby
decreased to 30 mph and shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are
erected upon the street.
2
DIVISION 5. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
This Ordinance is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 Cal. Code Regs. Section 15061(b)(3) as it can be seen with
certainty that it will not have a significant effect on the environment.
DIVISION 6. PUBLICATION. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall be published once, in full or in summary form, before its final passage, in a
newspaper of general circulation, published, and circulated in the City of San Rafael, and shall be
in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its final passage. If published in summary form, the
summary shall also be published within fifteen (15) days after the adoption, together with the
names of those Councilmembers voting for or against same, in a newspaper of general circulation
published and circulated in the City of San Rafael, County of Marin, State of California.
GARY O. PHILLIPS, Mayor
ATTEST:
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
The foregoing Ordinance No. 1978 was introduced at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the
City of San Rafael, held on the 16th day of December 2019 and ordered passed to print by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
and will come up for adoption as an Ordinance of the City of San Rafael at a Regular Meeting of the
Council to be held on the 21st day of January 2020.
3
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
Legal No.
Marin Independent Journal
4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 301
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-382-7335
legals@marinij.com
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the
County aforesaid: I am over the age of eighteen years,
and not a party to or interested in the above matter. I am
the principal clerk of the printer of the MARIN
INDEPENDENT JOURNAL, a newspaper of general
circulation, printed and published daily in the County of
Marin, and which newspaper has been adjudged a
newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of
the County of Marin, State of California, under date of
FEBRUARY 7, 1955, CASE NUMBER 25566; that the
notice, of which the annexed is a printed copy (set in type
not smaller than nonpareil), has been published in each
regular and entire issue of said newspaper and not in
any supplement thereof on the following dates, to-wit:
12/06/2019
I certify (or declare) under the penalty of perjury that the
foregoing is true and correct.
Dated this 6th day of December, 2019.
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
County of Marin
Signature
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
0006433654
2070419
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
CITY CLERK, ROOM 209
1400 FIFTH AVENUE, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901
SAN RAFAEL, CA 94915-1560
r.BP7-11/10/16 1
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
You are inv ited t o attend a City Council
meeting o n the f oll owing project:
PROJECT: PROPOSED ORDINANCE IMPLE·
MENTING A SPEED LIMIT INCREASE FROM 25
MILES PER HOUR (MPH) TO 30 MPH ON DU
BOIS STREET FROM IRWIN STREET TO WOOD·
LAND AVENUE AND WOODLAND AVENUE
FROM DU BOIS STREET TO AUBURN STREET.
PROPOSED SPEED LIMIT DECREASE FROM 3S
MPH TO 30 MPH ON FRANCISCO BOULEVARD
WEST FROM SECOND STREET TO RICE DRIVE
Th e City of San Raf ae l is upd ating the En gi-
nee rin g & Traffi c Surveys so th e San Raf ae l Po-
li ce Department can enforce sp ee ding v iol a-
ti ons by radar gun and so the speed limits can
be uphe ld in co urt. Stat e law req uires jurisdi c-
ti ons t o reve ri fy pos t ed spee ds peri od icall y t o
det ermin e w hether ther e have bee n signifi ca nt
ch ang es t o th e roadway o r traffi c conditions.
Of the eight roadway se gm ents that we re up -
dat ed in this round , three are proposed t o
have a spee d limit ch ange t o 30 mph, namely
increases from 25 mph on Du Bo is Street from
Irw in Street t o Woo dl and Avenu e and Wood-
land Ave nu e from Du Bo is Street to Auburn
Stree t , and a dec rease from 35 mph on Fra ncis-
co Boul eva rd Wes t from Seco nd Stree t t o Ric e
Dri ve.
It has bee n det ermin ed that ther e is no poss i-
bility t hat adopti on of the pro posed ordin ance
w ill have a ph ys ical impac t on the envi ro n-
ment, therefore this pro j ect is exe mpt from en-
v iro nm enta l rev iew und er the Californi a En v i-
ronm ental Qu ality Act (C EQA ) un de r the
co mmon-se nse exe mption in 14 Cal Code Regs.
Section 15061.
MEETING DATE & LOCATION:
Monday, December 16, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.
San Rafae l City Hall -City Co un cil Ch amb er s
1400 Fifth Ave nu e, San Raf ae l, CA 94901
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Yo u can co mment on t he
proposed sp ee d limit chang es on Du Bo is
Stree t , Woo dl a nd St reet , and Fr anci sco
Boul eva rd West. Th e City Co un cil w ill acce pt
a ll publi c t estimony and co nsid er w hether t o
adopt the ordina nce .
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND :
Yo u can send w ritten co rres pond ence by email
t o th e address below, o r by ma i l/hand de li ve ry
t o the Public Works Department, City of San
Rafael, Attention: Lauren Davini , 111 Morph ew
Stree t , San Rafae l, CA 94901. You may a lso
email a letter t o Linds @ L~a City Cl erk of San
Raf ae l at Lindsay.Iara cit ofsanraf ael.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Co ntac t Lauren Dav ini at (41 5) 485 -336 1 or at
lauren.davini@citvofsanrafael.org.
SAN RAFAEL CIT Y COUNCIL
/s/ Lin dsay Lara
Li ndsay Lara
CITY CLERK
no.1586 Dec. 6, 201 9