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Council introduces ordinance lowering speed limits on 55 Redlands street segments after updated study
Summary
The City Council introduced an ordinance adopting the 2024 engineering and traffic study that lowers posted speeds on 55 street segments and rescinds an earlier resolution. The Traffic and Parking Commission recommended adoption 4–1 after the new state law (AB 43) gave engineers more discretion; some residents urged further study and outreach.
The Redlands City Council introduced an ordinance to adopt the city’s 2024 engineering and traffic study, rescind an earlier speed‑limit resolution, and lower posted speed limits on 55 street segments across the city.
City staff told the council the study was revised after Assembly Bill 43 took effect Jan. 1, 2025, allowing the city engineer greater discretion to adjust limits where pedestrian, bicycle or other safety considerations apply. The Traffic and Parking Commission reviewed the revised study and voted 4–1 to recommend the council adopt the changes.
City engineer staff said the study retains many existing speed limits but lowers limits on 55 segments; no proposed increases were included. The staff presentation said the council’s adoption tonight would be the introduction of the ordinance, with final adoption and an effective date to follow in July, allowing time for sign installation and public education.
Public comment included residents and Traffic and Parking Commission members who asked for more analysis of accident data, speed variance effects and enforcement plans. Kevin Morningstar, chair of the Traffic and Parking Commission (speaking as a resident), asked for additional study on correlations between accidents and posted speeds and suggested returning the item to the commission for further review. Bruce Laycock and other residents urged public education and a period of warnings when signs are changed.
Council members noted AB 43’s new discretion and that the city engineer used that discretion to lower the posted speeds wherever state law allowed it. The council voted to adopt Resolution No. 8683 (adopting the engineering and traffic study) and to introduce Ordinance No. 2982 (amending chapter 10.24 of the municipal code to confirm prima facie speed limits). Roll call votes were recorded in favor from all present members.
Staff said they will publish notices, use changeable message signs in key corridors and coordinate with the police department for a period of warnings and public education before strict enforcement. The city’s police traffic unit said officers would assist with public outreach and warning citations as signs are installed.
With introduction complete, the ordinance will return for adoption as scheduled; sign changes and an outreach period were described as the next implementation steps.
