Title
Consider adoption of an ordinance amending section 12.12.010, section 12.20.010, and section 12.28.065 of Title 12 of the Monterey County Code to revise speed limits on various segments of Carmel Valley Road and Portola Drive, add a two-way left-turn lane on Salinas Road, and add a 20-minute time limit on parking on a portion of San Juan Road.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance amending section 12.12.010, section 12.20.010, and section 12.28.065 of Title 12 of the Monterey County Code to revise speed limits on various segments of Carmel Valley Road and Portola Drive, add a two-way left-turn lane on Salinas Road, and add a 20-minute time limit on parking on a portion of San Juan Road.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On April 28, 2020 the Board introduced, waived the reading, and set May 12, 2020 to consider adoption of an ordinance amending section 12.12.010, section 12.20.010, and section 12.28.065 of Title 12 of the Monterey County Code to revise speed limits on various segments of Carmel Valley Road and Portola Drive, add a two-way left-turn lane on Salinas Road, and add a 20-minute time limit on parking on a portion of San Juan Road. Notice of the Board’s May 12 meeting to consider adoption of the ordinance was published in newspapers of general circulation in the County and posted on roadways where Title 12 establishes speed limits and on Salinas Road for the Two-Way Left-Turn Lane. The owners of affected businesses for the 20-minute time limited parking on San Juan Road have been notified.
The Resource Management Agency (RMA) routinely receives multiple requests for traffic studies from the public. The results of these studies often require changes to specific sections within Title 12. Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) are required as the basis for local authorities to establish speed limits higher or lower than those prescribed in the California Vehicle Code (CVC). These include radar measurement of operating speeds, analysis of accident records, and field reviews to inventory road conditions and roadside conditions not readily apparent to drivers. An appropriate speed limit is recommended based upon analysis of the acquired data and actual road and traffic conditions. According to the CVC, only those prima facie speed limits based on E&TS are enforceable by radar. The Monterey County Code Title 12, Section 12.12.010 sets speed limits for designated road segments. As part of recent E&TS’s conducted by staff, this ordinance would establish/update speed limits for segments of Carmel Valley Road and Portola Drive.
RMA re-evaluated the “pilot” 45 MPH uniform speed zone for Carmel Valley Road, approved by the Board in the April 2018 Title 12 update. RMA presented the findings to the Carmel Valley Road Advisory Committee at their October 2019 meeting. Upon receiving feedback, staff reviewed and recommended adjustments where possible, and presented these at the Road Committee’s December 19, 2019 meeting. The Road Advisory Committee generally concurred with the speed zone proposal, with the understanding that these changes would be another “pilot” and re-evaluated in one-year’s time.
RMA recommends that the Board approve the proposal shown below and also in Attachment D.
45 MPH - State Route 1 to Carmel Rancho Blvd
55 MPH - Carmel Rancho Blvd to Via Petra Rd
50 MPH - Via Petra Rd to Laureles Grade
35 MPH - Laureles Grade Rd to Country Club Dr
25 MPH - Country Club Dr to MP 12.9
35 MPH - MP 12.9 to Valle Vista Dr
55 MPH - Valle Vista Dr to end (at Arroyo Seco)
Additionally, RMA reviewed the speed zone on Portola Drive because residents are experiencing high speeds and high traffic volumes from cut through traffic from State Route 68 backups. The roadway was evaluated through an E&TS and is recommended to be reduced to 30 mph (from the existing speed limit of 35 mph) from Reservation Road to its terminus.
Section 12.20.010 lists segments where the County has established a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL). This ordinance would add a TWLTL from a point on Salinas Road located 300 feet north of Fruitland Road to a point 300 feet south of Fruitland Road for a length of 600 feet, as shown on Attachment B.
Section 12.28.065 lists areas where the County has established a twenty (20) minute parking time limit. This ordinance would add a 20-Minute parking limit on San Juan Road 100 feet west of Porter Drive on the south side to Bishop Street for a distance of 95 feet, as shown on Attachment C.
Attachment A is the final proposed Ordinance. Attachment B is the location map for the proposed Two-Way Left-Turn Lane (TWLTL) for Salinas Road, and Attachment C is the location map of the proposed 20-Minute Time-Limited Parking on San Juan Rd. Attachment D is a strip map of proposed speed zones for Carmel Valley Road from State Highway One to its end. Attachment E shows the amendment to the existing County Code.
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 the existing County regulations that govern the existing County highways and streets.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has approved the ordinance as to form.
FINANCING:
Traffic control devices are funded by the Road Fund. The cost to install the necessary signing is estimated at $800.00. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget for the Road Fund 002, Unit 8443, Appropriation Unit RMA0012 to finance this work.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiative for Infrastructure and Public Safety, Meeting our Facilities, Water, Technology and Transportation needs. The ordinance will allow for the installation of certain speed limits and traffic signage and striping that will improve the quality of life for County residents.
____ Economic Development
____ Administration
____ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Brenda Villanueva, Assistant Engineer (831) 755-8908
Reviewed by: Randell Ishii, M.S., P.E., P.T.O.E., Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Proposed Ordinance for Title 12
Attachment B - Location Map for Proposed Two-Way Left-Turn Lane on Salinas Road
Attachment C - Location Map for Proposed 20-Minute Time-Limited Parking on San Juan Road
Attachment D - Strip Map for Proposed Speed Zones on Carmel Valley Road
Attachment E - Ordinance Redline