REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 9, 2023
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Establish Speed Zone on State Lane in the Big Bear Lake Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution that:
1. Rescinds that portion of Resolution No. 84-488, dated December 17, 1984, which established a speed zone of 40 miles per hour on State Lane from State Highway 38 to D Lane in the Big Bear Lake area, pursuant to County Code Section 52.0123(a)(1).
2. Establishes a 25 mile per hour speed zone on State Lane from State Highway 38, west to G Lane in the Big Bear Lake area, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Sections 515 and 22352(b)(1).
3. Directs the County Road Commissioner to perform such acts as are necessary to implement the terms of the Resolution.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The estimated cost of $1,000 to install the appropriate signs, as well as minor administrative costs to update the Department of Public Works (Department) records, will be financed by Gas Tax revenue. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department’s 2022-23 Road Operations budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On December 17, 1984 (Item No. 45), the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted Resolution No. 84-488, pursuant to County Code Section 52.0123(a), establishing a 40 miles per hour speed zone on State Lane from State Highway 38 east to D Lane, in the vicinity of Moonridge.
The County received a request and inquiry from members of the local community regarding the potential for lowering the current speed limit on State Lane from 40 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. In addition, the speed zone on State Lane from State Highway 38 easterly to G Lane was due for evaluation as part of routine updates conducted by the Department. Therefore, an engineering and traffic survey was conducted on February 9, 2023, in accordance with the criteria outlined in California Vehicle Code (CVC), Section 627 and the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), Section 2B.13.
The Department’s engineering and traffic survey found that there are 83 existing residential dwellings on State Lane from State Highway 38 to G Lane in the Big Bear Lake area within approximately 1-mile distance. This meets the definition of “residence district” as defined in CVC 15, which is to be “that portion of a highway and the property contiguous thereto, other than a business district, (a) upon one side of which highway, within a distance of a quarter of a mile, the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 13 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures, or (b) upon both sides of which highway collectively, within a distance of a quarter of a mile, the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 16 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures”.
According to CVC Section 22352(b), on any highway, in any business or residential district, unless a different speed is determined by local authority or the Department of Transportation under procedures, the prima facie (presumed) speed limit will be 25 miles per hour.
The Department, therefore, recommends rescinding Resolution No. 84-488 and lowering the speed limit on State Lane from 40 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour from State Highway 38 to G Lane in the Big Bear Lake area to match the prima facie speed limit established by CVC 22352(b). In addition, the Department has contacted the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department and California Highway Patrol for their concurrence, both Departments have no objection to reducing the speed limit on State Lane to prima facie 25 miles per hour.
This item aligns with the County and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives to provide for the safety of the traveling public by lowering the speed limit on this stretch of roadway.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 27, 2023; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on April 24, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 24, 2023.