[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6651226,"mediaKeyId","3441821-d4a88f2197b6aa9d1e49d2519ed94a72","parentId",3441821,"title","Planning commission backs 2025 citywide speed survey recommendations; several limits to change and one segment deferred","audioSeconds",2996,"startMs",1710164,"endMs",4706470,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441821-d4a88f2197b6aa9d1e49d2519ed94a72&start=1710&end=4706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441821-d4a88f2197b6aa9d1e49d2519ed94a72/thumbnail_1710164.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6651226/Cathedral-City/Riverside-County/California/Planning-commission-backs-2025-citywide-speed-survey-recommendations-several-limits-to-change-and-one-segment-deferred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651226-85cbafefb14a7ff3808aa44f298578de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227064&Signature=hLoWAKp~OXxO1QzNTedMjg3tGiIztnOp9ZfKQbcD8-qxK3cRSZ3xKyU0-qpxaRFpqGNY1ypEv8~-eNBkV66n7RpYYWWOfjbj5pvnIp8cIeDEIO0AXM1zG5oxwkpatdYkzzvRletye2n4Q4-B2v2MtGknaX5nHbixXnpyyCM~4EdtKLGX2apB2qodBQo909m9oubGbw9VdJyVHQltr88VR032MzKqK8WucMJ4pLVVasFjNhQLkbaaKpb1aj2L9kQmoH8-HKaVujIIib4kOg8v2zYWq1rDK-lXGLcdCADefZVKQOXA-4NF2myQNl9ge4oI2WyfgMOgmvrnDOTsKA2JsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Discover Cathedral City","date","2025-05-21T16:42:55Z","article","On May 20, 2025, the Cathedral City Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council adopt the findings of the citywide 2025 engineering and traffic speed survey, which evaluated 74 roadway segments and recommended enforceable speed-limit modifications on 13 segments. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention; the transcript does not record the name of the commissioner who abstained.

Traffic engineer findings and state law:

Traffic-engineering presenter Mr. Balanzaro told the commission the study followed the California requirements for establishing speed limits (including use of 85th-percentile speeds), a review of collision history (three-year SWITRS data), 24-hour traffic counts and radar speed surveys. The presenter noted recent state law changes under Assembly Bill 43 (AB 43) that allow local agencies greater flexibility to reduce posted limits for safety and land-use reasons (for example, proximity to schools, children, seniors or pedestrians) and that AB 43 can extend the interval between comprehensive citywide surveys when justified. \"The speed limit is normally set at the 80 fifth percentile and that represent 85% of the people driving... The speed limits established on these basis confirm the majority of the vehicles as to what speed is reasonable and prudent,\" Balanzaro said.

Key recommendations and exceptions:

- The consultant reviewed 74 roadways and proposed modifications on 11–13 segments across the city (the presentation referenced both figures as the analysis proceeded and the staff report sent 13 segments forward for formal action). Many recommended changes were reductions; the only recommended increase noted in the presentation was San Tropez (Santoro) from 25 to 35 mph on one segment.

- Council-requested re-evaluations: City Council asked that several segments be re-reviewed; staff reported the engineer could justify reductions on five of six re-evaluated segments. Whispering Palms Trail between 30th Avenue and McCallum Way could not be justified with current data and the engineer recommended postponing action on that specific segment until after a planned Class 3 bike-route project is completed and new counts can be taken.

- Vista Chino: The report recommended reducing portions of Vista Chino (previously raised to 55 mph in 2019) back to 50 mph in some segments because of nearby residential uses and pedestrian considerations; commissioners discussed cross-jurisdictional effects where speed changes at city limits meet Palm Springs.

Commission discussion and concerns:

Several commissioners pressed staff about methodology and local impacts. Vice Chair Lee asked whether setting limits by 85th-percentile speed would simply ratify prevailing speeding behavior: \"Does that mean if everyone decides to speed on a certain road, we'll end up putting the speed limit up because they're speeding?\" Mr. Balanzaro responded that 85th-percentile is one factor and that additional statistical and safety factors (collision history, land use, pedestrian presence) are applied.

Commissioners raised specific concerns about Cathedral Canyon, where the posted limit is 25 mph in a segment while the study's 85th-percentile figure for one stretch was 38 mph and the median speed 31 mph. Commissioners said they had observed regular enforcement (tickets) on that hill and questioned whether posted speeds and enforcement practice match travel behavior and local safety conditions. Staff noted the \"residential district\" designation can alter allowed posted speeds when statutory thresholds (dwelling units per quarter-mile) are met and that the engineer used prior surveys and AB 43 guidance in recommending which posted limits to maintain or change.

Motion and next steps:

Commissioner Lee moved, and the motion was seconded (recorded as Chairman Malakoff as seconder in the minutes), to recommend that City Council adopt the engineering and traffic survey findings. The clerk recorded the motion as passing with four ayes and one abstention. Staff and the city attorney told the commission the item will go to City Council for adoption (a first reading is expected), and staff noted that changes to roadway design—new bike lanes, bridges or turn lanes—would trigger site-specific speed surveys outside the citywide-cycle interval.

The commission asked staff to include in the Council transmittal the discussion points and commissioner concerns (particularly the Cathedral Canyon segment) so Council would see the commission's questions and the areas commissioners asked to be re-examined.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission - Regular Meeting - May 21, 2025 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After a multi-hour presentation and discussion, the Cathedral City Planning Commission recommended the engineering findings from the 2025 citywide speed-limit survey to City Council. The study evaluated 74 roadway segments and proposed speed modifications on 13 segments; one segment (Whispering Palms Trail between 30th and McCallum) was deferred.","taxTitle","Cathedral City, Riverside County, California","taxId",5539,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6651231,"Planning commission recommends code change to expand public notice, require community meetings for large projects",1450,270395,1720965,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441821-d4a88f2197b6aa9d1e49d2519ed94a72&start=270&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441821-d4a88f2197b6aa9d1e49d2519ed94a72/thumbnail_270395.jpg","/articles/6651231/Cathedral-City/Riverside-County/California/Planning-commission-recommends-code-change-to-expand-public-notice-require-community-meetings-for-large-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651231-dbdd800289abd9e597427fba4ac81c30/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227064&Signature=leBNSUrtYwoNZOehnzHzhJnd3ylYrkaAL3zLLcQ0zWqO6joylm-LhtRiAbCXogmWIPMRvNYpbq8BSNNtyAejICf~D5XKjxika7GKcYBTEyqRIQdN~mJ5e2vrNPfDfYjOTGs6tEc0s3PkqFVsOpqNaOEofkr4imZ735XGHmjh8Fp~nhIsf46WFKEX8d-4rmpfQlRbsPIKHbQ35sUl-kkVc9t0f5Ka1ZU6QAmDb4NT9s-XvxPI9OIFfvFtey6ZRSktGZqWaO0QYR2s90VTas-E~BRFLG2MXddnpWJ5XEXbXsT1hbYIbSxUh20O6LcanhKTBMcoRijkgxP09UyjIL46mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 20, 2025, the Cathedral City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt Zoning Code Amendment 25-003, which would add Chapter 9.09 to the Cathedral City Municipal Code to expand public notification requirements and require community engagement for larger projects.

The amendment would (1) distinguish notice to real property owners from notice to occupants of non-owner-occupied properties (for example, apartment residents and business tenants); (2) expand the standard notification radius to 500 feet and set a larger radius (750 feet) for projects of five acres or greater; (3) require community engagement meetings for project sites of five acres or greater; (4) limit mailed notices to occupants within Cathedral City limits (staff said this change was needed after outreach to adjacent jurisdictions yielded no usable occupant lists); and (5) include a provision drawn from state law that failure to receive a notice does not invalidate a hearing or action.

Assistant Director Molina summarized the staff recommendation and the changes since prior workshops, saying the draft ordinance separates notices to property owners (sourced from Riverside County records) and occupants (sourced from city business-license and building records, and by contacting property managers). Molina said the draft follows prior commission direction and that staff’s recommendation includes a finding that the amendment is exempt from CEQA. \"If you don't get a notice, that doesn't mean the public hearing's invalid or the commission's action's invalid,\" Molina said during the presentation.

Commissioners discussed practical and procedural effects. Commissioner Mead asked about cost implications; Molina said IT work to compile expanded notice lists was estimated at roughly four hours of staff time and that mailed-notice costs would be charged to applicants, not borne by the city. Commissioners asked how occupant counts for apartment complexes would be determined; Molina said staff would use building records, business license records and contact complexes directly to verify unit counts.

A key timing change the commission adopted as an amendment was to specify 20 days' notice for Planning Commission hearings and 10 days for City Council hearings, aligning the city council notice to the state requirement while keeping the longer (20-day) notice for the Planning Commission stage. Commissioner Bedard moved the amendment and the motion (to adopt the resolution recommending the ordinance to City Council, with the 20/10-day modification) was seconded by Commissioner McPhail. The commission voted to forward the recommendation to the City Council; the clerk recorded the motion as passing \"All ayes.\"

Commissioners also asked that staff pass the amendment to the consultant working on the larger development-code update so the change will be incorporated into that broader rewrite. The commission tabled discussion of on-site public hearing signage; staff said signage standards could be reconsidered in a later code update.

The commission's recommendation and minutes will be forwarded to City Council for first reading and potential adoption. If adopted by Council, the ordinance would be incorporated into the Municipal Code and used for future project notices and large-project community engagement.

The record shows commissioners asked for clarifications on data sources, cost recovery, and how city limits would affect occupant notification; staff recorded those clarifications in the staff report that will accompany the ordinance to Council.","The Cathedral City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a zoning amendment creating Chapter 9.09 to expand who receives public notice for planning matters, add community engagement requirements for projects of five acres or more, and clarify notice timing.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission backs 2025 citywide speed survey recommendations; several limits to change and one segment deferred

Planning commission recommends code change to expand public notice, require community meetings for large projects