HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2921 N.C.S. 03/16/2026
Ordinance No. 2921 N.C.S. Page 1
EFFECTIVE DATE
OF ORDINANCE
April 15, 2026
ORDINANCE NO. 2921 N.C.S.
Introduced by: John Shribbs Seconded by: Brian Barnacle
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA UPDATING RADAR
ENFORCEABLE SPEED LIMITS ON FRATES ROAD AND I STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF
PETALUMA
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 22357, 22358, and 22358.6 authorize local
jurisdictions to establish or modify posted speed limits on streets under local jurisdiction by ordinance when
supported by an Engineering and Traffic Survey; and
WHEREAS, CVC Section 40802 requires that posted speed limits be supported by a valid Engineering and
Traffic Survey in order to be enforceable using radar or other electronic speed-measuring devices; and
WHEREAS, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) provides guidance
for establishing radar-enforceable speed limits, including consideration of measured vehicle speeds, roadway
characteristics, land use, and pedestrian and bicycle activity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma conducted Engineering and Traffic Surveys for segments of Frates Road
and I Street, attached as Exhibits 2 and 3 to the concurrent staff report, which evaluated prevailing speeds,
roadway conditions, and surrounding context; and
WHEREAS, based on the results of those Engineering and Traffic Survey and the application of engineering
judgment consistent with State law, staff has determined that updated speed limits on Frates Road and I Street are
reasonable and appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish radar-enforceable speed limits on these roadway segments
consistent with the Engineering and Traffic Surveys and applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code;
and,
WHEREAS, the adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), as the action involves
minor changes to traffic regulations on existing public roadways and does not result in any physical changes to
the environment; and
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2026, after considering all comments and reports in the record, City Council
introduced the Ordinance by a vote of 7-0.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 9400E630-5134-434A-A104-56587BF7A596
Ordinance No. 2921 N.C.S. Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Petaluma, as follows:
Section 1. Recital Findings The City Council hereby finds and determines the foregoing recitals to be true and
correct and hereby incorporates them into this Ordinance as findings and determinations of the City Council.
Section 2. Establishment of Radar-Enforceable Speed Limits The radar-enforceable speed limits for the roadway
segments identified in this Ordinance are hereby amended as shown in Table 1 below, in accordance with the
Engineering and Traffic Survey prepared for Frates Road and I Street, which is attached hereto and incorporated
by reference as Exhibit A (Engineering and Traffic Survey – Frates Road and I Street).
Table 1
Miles Per Hour Limit Amendments and Location
Street From To Limit
(MPH)
Speed Limit
(MPH)
Frates Road Ely Boulevard South Lakeville Highway 40 35
I Street Grevillia Drive Sunnyslope Road 35 30
I Street Sunnyslope Road South 30 30
The speed limits established by this Ordinance supersede any previously adopted speed limits for the specified
segments of Frates Road and I Street. Except as expressly modified by this Ordinance, all other previously adopted
speed limits within the City of Petaluma shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
Section 3. Based on the Engineering and Traffic surveys, attachments 2 and 3 to the concurrent staff report,
finds that miles per hour limits amended in section 2 at the locations stated in Section 2, would facilitate the
orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe.
Section 4. California Environmental Quality Act The City Council finds that adoption of this Ordinance is exempt
from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), as the action involves minor changes to traffic regulations on existing public
roadways and does not result in any physical changes to the environment and CEQA Guidelines Section 15307
(Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of Natural Resources) as the amended speeds will make the
roads safer which protects humans and other natural resources.
Section 5. Severability If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Ordinance is for any
reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful, or otherwise invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction or preempted
by State legislation, such decision or legislation shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby declares that it would have passed and adopted this
Ordinance and each and all provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of said provisions be
declared unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid.
Section 6. Posting/Publishing of Notice The City Clerk is hereby directed to publish or post this Ordinance or a
synopsis for the period and in the manner provided by the City Charter and any other applicable law.
Docusign Envelope ID: 9400E630-5134-434A-A104-56587BF7A596
Ordinance No. 2921 N.C.S. Page 3
Section 7. Effective Date The Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption by
the Petaluma City Council and upon the appropriate signs giving notice of the amended speeds are erected upon
the street.
INTRODUCED and ordered published and posted this 23rd day of February 2026.
ADOPTED this 16th day of March 2026 by the following vote:
Ayes: McDonnell, Barnacle, Cader Thompson, DeCarli, Nau, Quint, Shribbs
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Kevin McDonnell, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Caitlin Corley, City Clerk Eric Danly, City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
Engineering and Traffic Survey – Frates Road and I Street
Docusign Envelope ID: 9400E630-5134-434A-A104-56587BF7A596
Street:From:To:
Posted Limit:40 mph 12,600 VPD Vehicle Sampled:100
Width:44 Feet 0.44 Miles 85th Percentile Speed:41 mph
Lanes:2 1 Crash Mean (50th percentile) Speed:36 mph
Configuration:Divided 2 Years Pace:32-42 mph
Parking:None Percent in Pace:78%
Bike Facility Date Data Collected:
Sidewalks Day of the week:
Land Use:Survey Time:
Classification:Weather:
Character:
Terrain:
Conditions not readily apparent to the driver:
Jeff Stutsman, P.E.
City of Petaluma
Clear/Dry
12:50
Friday
Evaluation Period:
Collisions:
Segment Length:
Volume (ADT):
Frates Road Ely Bouevard South
10/10/2025
Street Conditions and Evaluation
Adjacent land uses is residential with pedestrian activity expected.
Recommended Speed Limit
35mph
Lakeville Highway
Engineering and Traffic Survey
Bike lane Both Sides
Both Sides
Residential
Minor Arterial
Suburban
Flat
With an 85% speed of 41 mph, the nearest 5-mph increment is 40mph. However, in light of the residential nature of the street and
pedestrian activity, reducing the speed limit to 35 mph seems most appropriate, as it sets the pace at the middle rather than the upper limit.
On the bsis of an engineering and traffic investigation, as reported above, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 627, 22357,
22358 and 4082 of the California Vehicle Code, a speed limit of 35 mph is hereby determined to be reasonable and appropriate
Conclusions and Recommendations
Survey Results
2/5/2026
Date
0
2
4
6
8
27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 52
Nu
m
b
e
r
o
f
R
e
c
o
r
d
s
Speed
Speed Profile
Westbound Eastbound
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51
Pe
r
c
e
n
t
Speed
Cumulative Speed Profile
Exhibit A
Docusign Envelope ID: 9400E630-5134-434A-A104-56587BF7A596
Street:From:To:
Posted Limit:30 mph 4,600 VPD Vehicle Sampled:200
Width:42 Feet 0.92 Miles 85th Percentile Speed:35 mph
Lanes:2 0 Crash Mean (50th percentile) Speed:30 mph
Configuration:Undivided 2 Years Pace:25-35 mph
Parking:Yes Percent in Pace:90%
Bike Facility Date Data Collected:
Sidewalks Day of the week:
Land Use:Survey Time:
Classification:Weather:
Character:
Terrain:
Conditions not readily apparent to the driver:
Jeff Stutsman, P.E.
2/5/2026
Date
Conclusions and Recommendations
Survey Results
Adjacent land uses is residential with pedestrian activity expected.
Recommended Speed Limit
30mph
Sunnyslope Road
Engineering and Traffic Survey
Class III Bike Lanes
Both Sides
Residential
Major Collector
Suburban
Flat
City of Petaluma
With an 85% speed of 35mph, the nearest 5-mph increment is 35mph. However, in light of the residential nature of the street and pedestrian
activity and a school route, reducing the speed limit to 30 mph seems most appropriate, as it sets the pace at the middle rather than the
upper limit.
On the bsis of an engineering and traffic investigation, as reported above, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 627, 22357,
22358 and 4082 of the California Vehicle Code, a speed limit of 30 mph is hereby determined to be reasonable and appropriate
Clear/Dry
10:30
Monday
Evaluation Period:
Collisions:
Segment Length:
Volume (ADT):
I Street Petaluma Blvd South
2/2/2026
Street Conditions and Evaluation
0
5
10
15
20
23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39Nu
m
b
e
r
o
f
R
e
c
o
r
d
s
Speed
Speed Profile
Westbound Eastbound
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
Pe
r
c
e
n
t
Speed
Cumulative Speed Profile
Docusign Envelope ID: 9400E630-5134-434A-A104-56587BF7A596
Street:From:To:
Posted Limit:35 mph 2,100 VPD Vehicle Sampled:200
Width:35 Feet 0.55 Miles 85th Percentile Speed:35 mph
Lanes:2 2 Crash Mean (50th percentile) Speed:29 mph
Configuration:Undivided 2 Years Pace:24-34 mph
Parking:None Percent in Pace:82%
Bike Facility Date Data Collected:
Sidewalks Day of the week:
Land Use:Survey Time:
Classification:Weather:
Character:
Terrain:
Conditions not readily apparent to the driver:
Jeff Stutsman, P.E.
City of Petaluma
With an 85% speed of 35 mph, the nearest 5-mph increment is 35mph. However, in light of the residential nature of the street and pedestrian
activity, reducing the speed limit to 30 mph seems most appropriate, as it sets the pace at the middle rather than the upper limit.
On the bsis of an engineering and traffic investigation, as reported above, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 627, 22357, 22358 and
4082 of the California Vehicle Code, a speed limit of 35 mph is hereby determined to be reasonable and appropriate
Clear/Dry
11:30
Monday
Evaluation Period:
Collisions:
Segment Length:
Volume (ADT):
I Street Sunny Slope Road
2/2/2026
Street Conditions and Evaluation
Adjacent land uses is residential with pedestrian activity expected.
Recommended Speed Limit
30mph
Grevillia Drive
Engineering and Traffic Survey
Bike lane Both Sides
One Side
Residential
Local
Suburban
Flat
2/5/2026
Date
Conclusions and Recommendations
Survey Results
0
5
10
15
20
20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
Nu
m
b
e
r
o
f
R
e
c
o
r
d
s
Speed
Speed Profile
Westbound Eastbound
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
Pe
r
c
e
n
t
Speed
Cumulative Speed Profile
Docusign Envelope ID: 9400E630-5134-434A-A104-56587BF7A596