REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Establishing 15 Mile Per Hour Speed Limits in School Zones When Children Are Present
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Bicycle Plan and the Pedestrian Master Plan include recommendations to study the need for 15 miles per hour (mph) speed limits within school zones in the City. With the approval of Assembly Bill 321 (AB 321) in 2007, the State of California modified California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22358.4 to provide local jurisdictions the authority to establish 15 mph speed limits on residential streets within 500 feet of a school boundary when children are present. Public, charter, or private schools are eligible. The new law intends to enhance children’s safety while walking and bicycling to school by reducing vehicle speeds in the immediate area.
To qualify for a 15 mph speed limit in a school zone, a street is required to meet the following conditions:
a) Must be residential street with a maximum of two through lanes (one in each direction).
b) The existing speed limit of the street is 30 mph or less.
c) Speed limits established will apply to both directions of travel.
d) Streets are within 500 feet from a school property
In response to the Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Plan recommendations, the City hired Advanced Mobility Group to complete an evaluation of streets adjacent to 29 public and private K-12 schools in Santa Clara for potential implementation of 15 mph speed limits.
DISCUSSION
The evaluation determined that of the 29 schools, the following 28 schools (Attachment 1) have nearby streets eligible for 15 mph speed limits.
1. Bowers Elementary School (Public)
2. Bracher Elementary School (Public)
3. Briarwood Elementary School (Public)
4. Don Callejon Arts and Design School (TK-8) (Public)
5. Central Park Elementary School (Public)
6. Eisenhower Elementary School (Public)
7. Haman Elementary School (Public)
8. Hughes Elementary School (Public)
9. Laurelwood Elementary School (Public)
10. Milikin Elementary School (Public)
11. Montague Elementary School (Public)
12. Pomeroy Elementary School (Public)
13. Scott Lane Elementary School (Public)
14. St. Lawrence Elementary & Middle School (Private)
15. Sutter Elementary School (Public)
16. Washington Open Elementary School (Public)
17. Buchser Middle School (Public)
18. Cabrillo Middle School (Public)
19. Stratford Middle School (Private)
20. New Valley High School (Public)
21. Santa Clara Community Day School (Public)
22. Wilcox High School and Santa Clara Adult Education (Public)
23. Wilson High School (Public)
24. Monticello Academy (Private)
25. Westwood Elementary School (Public)
26. Santa Clara Christian School - Monticello Academy (Private)
27. Stratford School - Dolores Avenue (Private)
28. St. Clare School (Private)
The 29th school evaluated was Santa Clara High School which does not have any streets eligible for 15 mph speed limits. For the remaining 28 schools, there are 42 roadway segments eligible for 15 mph streets and the list of streets is included in Attachment 2. It is important to note that certain schools are in very close proximity to other schools so the same streets for potential 15 mph speed limits can be listed for multiple schools.
Outreach/School Coordination: Involving the community was essential for ensuring the success of this safety initiative. Throughout the project, staff reached out to the various schools to solicit feedback on the potential for 15 mph streets. To raise public awareness about the proposed 15 mph speed limit near schools, information was shared on the City’s social media platforms and project webpage, featured in the City Hall News, and displayed on roadway signs placed along the 42 roadway segments near the 28 Santa Clara schools (see Attachment 3). The Santa Clara Unified School District also supported outreach efforts by distributing flyers through their communication channels and provided a letter of support (see Attachment 4).
Other Cities: 15 mph speed limits in school zones have been implemented in several Bay Area cities including San Francisco, San Mateo, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and San Jose.
Staff recommends implementing 15 mph speed limits in school zones at 28 schools to enhance children’s safety while traveling to and from school. Staff is also recommending that the City Council authorize implementation of future 15 mph speed limits in eligible school zones as additional Santa Clara schools are opened in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 “Existing Facilities” as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agencies determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of materials and labor for this project is anticipated to be $50,000 and will be funded by Project 1211 - Neighborhood Traffic Calming.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and Police Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Staff reached out to K-12 schools in Santa Clara and also shared information about the project on the City’s social media platforms, project webpage, and City Hall News. Additionally, the City placed roadway signs along the proposed 42 roadway segments near the 28 Santa Clara schools
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Determine that the proposed actions are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of Title 14 of California Code of Regulations.
2. Adopt a Resolution Establishing 15 Mile Per Hour Speed Limits in School Zones When Children Are Present.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Map of Schools with Eligible Streets for 15 mph Speed Limits
2. Table of Roadway Segments Eligible for 15 mph School Zone Speed Limits
3. Sample of 15 MPH School Zone Speed Limit Flyer
4. Santa Clara Unified School District Support Letter
5. Resolution to Adopt 15 MPH School Zone Speed Limits