COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

August 9, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Ordinance Establishing a Prima Facie 25 Mile Per Hour Speed Limit on Sunshine Valley Road (County Road No. 91) - Montara Area

Recommendation

Adopt an ordinance establishing a 25-mile per hour (mph) speed limit on Sunshine Valley Road, County Road No. 91.

Key Facts

Ø

The allowable speed of traffic on Sunshine Valley Road is currently determined by Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) - the basic speed law - as the road is not posted with a prima facie speed limit.

Ø

Property owners adjacent to Sunshine Valley Road between Etheldore and Grant Roads have requested that a stop sign or other speed control devices be installed as they believe the general speed of traffic on this road is too high.

Ø

The California Highway Patrol (CHP), the agency with primary responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the CVC in the unincorporated area, agrees that the speed limit on the road should be posted at 25 mph.

Ø

Section 22358 of the CVC provides that a local authority can reduce the maximum speed limit on a local street based on an engineering and traffic study.

Ø

We have conducted an engineering and traffic study and believe that establishing a 25 mph speed limit on Sunshine Valley Road is appropriate.

Discussion

Background

Sunshine Valley Road serves as both an access road to the easterly sections of Montara and Moss Beach as well as direct access to the properties that are adjacent to the road. The road, which has an average width of 18-feet, is used by pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists as well as the motoring public. There are no curbs, gutters, sidewalks, equestrian paths or bicycle lanes on the road; and an average of six (6) pedestrians per hour, or one (1) pedestrian every ten (10) minutes, traveled the road during our study period. Dense vegetation limits sight distance along the road and there are areas adjacent to driveways or at curves that are posted with advisory speed limits of 15 and 20 mph.

Traffic counts and speed surveys conducted this summer indicate that there are approximately 850 vehicles per day using the road at an average speed of 33 miles per hour. However, speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour were also recorded; and speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour were also identified as a factor in five (5) of seven (7) vehicle accidents on Sunshine Valley Road that were reported to the California Highway Patrol during the last four (4) years (other causes included driving under the influence). The two most recent accidents were attributed to speeds in excess of 40 to 45 mph.

Setting the Speed Limit

The CVC provides that the prima facie speed limit (the posted maximum speed allowed) for a residential district is 25 mph. However, portions of Sunshine Valley Road do not meet the definition of a residential district as defined in the CVC, due to the low density of homes on the adjacent resource management zoned property.

We conferred with the CHP and they agree that a 25-mile per hour speed limit is reasonable and safe, will facilitate the orderly movement of traffic, and will improve the safety of the pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists who also use this road.

We will install the appropriate signs if your Board adopts an ordinance establishing a 25 mph speed limit on Sunshine Valley Road; and installing the signs does not preclude the property owners from petitioning your Board for additional speed control devices such as speed humps/dips, in accordance with established procedures.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment to “ensure basic health and safety for all” and Goal Number 7, “maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors,” as it establishes a prima facie speed limit in keeping with the residential and recreational character of Sunshine Valley Road.

Fiscal Impact

The cost associated with posting 25 mile per hour speed limit signs is approximately $1,200, which is proposed to be financed with Road Funds. There is no impact to the General Fund.

A form of Ordinance has been approved by County Counsel.

A copy of our staff report has been sent to the representative of the property owners that submitted the request for traffic controls on the road, and to the MidCoast Community Council, and we will report any comments that we receive.