Title
a. Consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 12.12.10 of the Monterey County Code to set a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour (MPH) on the entirety of Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street in the East Garrison community; and
b. Find that the adoption of the ordinance is categorically exempt per Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
CEQA Action: Categorically Exempt.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 12.12.10 of the Monterey County Code to set a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour (MPH) on the entirety of Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street in the East Garrison community; and
b. Find that the adoption of the ordinance is categorically exempt per Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
CEQA Action: Categorically Exempt.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On November 8, 2022, the Board of Supervisors introduced, waived the reading, and set today’s date to consider adoption of the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 12.12.10 of the Monterey County Code to establish a speed limit of 25 MPH on the entirety of Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street in the East Garrison community, and find that the adoption of this ordinance is categorically exempt per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. No comments on the proposed ordinance were received at the November 8, 2022 meeting.
Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street run along a portion of the perimeter of the East Garrison community (refer to map in Attachment A). These roads are open to the public and owned by the County, but maintained by the East Garrison Community Services District (EGCSD). These roads were constructed per the approved East Garrison development plans, but there was relatively little use of these roads until Watkins Gate Road was connected to Reservation Road. The roads included 25 mile per hour (MPH) speed limit signs, but an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) was not prepared when the subdivision was approved and initially being constructed. An E&TS is required to set enforceable speed limits.
An E&TS was conducted in January 2019, which resulted in a recommended speed limit of 35 MPH for Watkins Gate Road and 30 MPH speed limit for West Camp Street. Due to community concern about posting these streets at speed limits higher than 25 MPH, the EGCSD Advisory Committee and its Safety and Traffic Ad Hoc Committee considered other potential options.
Several meetings and workshops were conducted in 2021, and at the meeting on January 25, 2022, the EGCSD Advisory Committee supported a traffic calming approach consisting of installation of radar speed feedback signs on Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street to inform motorists of their speed with a goal of reducing vehicle speeds. After a long lead time for delivery of materials, four (4) radar speed feedback signs were installed in July 2022. Two (2) signs were installed along Watkins Gate Road (one [1] facing in each direction), and two (2) along West Camp Street (one [1] facing in each direction). Installation of these signs addressed a referral submitted by the District 4 office to review and consider speed limit signs on these streets. Also, before the installation of these signs, road maintenance was completed on these streets in May 2022. This work included application of a slurry seal coating and new pavement striping. The updated striping featured slightly narrower vehicle lane widths as an additional traffic calming measure consistent with prior EGCSD Advisory Committee discussion. The extra space from reduced vehicle lane widths was used to increase the width of the bicycle lanes.
Another E&TS was conducted in September 2022, and the result of this updated study supported 25 MPH speed limits on Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street. This means that a 25 MPH speed limit will become legally enforceable upon adoption of an ordinance to update Chapter 12.12.10 of the Monterey County Code. The proposed ordinance is provided in Attachment B.
CEQA
The adoption of the ordinance is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines because the action will involve negligible changes to existing County regulations that govern existing County highways and streets.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The EGCSD Advisory Committee and its Safety and Traffic Ad Hoc Committee have discussed and supported establishment of a 25 MPH speed limit on Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street. On October 25, 2022, the Board of Directors of the EGCSD recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the proposed ordinance to establish 25 MPH speed limits on Watkins Gate Road and West Camp Street in the East Garrison community. The Office of the County Counsel has approved the ordinance as to form.
FINANCING:
All costs associated with installation and maintenance of the proposed new speed limit signage will be borne by the EGCSD. There is available funding in the EGCSD, Fund 181, Appropriation Unit PFP006 budget for this expense, estimated not to exceed $8,000 for installation of new speed limit signs and posts.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives for Infrastructure and Public Safety. The ordinance will allow for the installation of appropriate and enforceable speed limit signage that will improve the quality of life for County residents.
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks,
831-755-4831
Reviewed by: Jessica Cordiero-Martinez, Finance Manager III, Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Location Map
Attachment B - Proposed Ordinance