Cathedral City reviews 2025 citywide speed study; staff propose changes to 11 segments

Cathedral City Council members reviewed the results of a 2025 citywide speed limit survey during a study session, hearing a presentation from city staff and traffic consultant Albert Webb & Associates that recommended speed changes on 11 roadway segments and outlined next steps for an implementing ordinance.

The study, presented by a city staff member identified in the record as Armando and by Nicholas Lowe, deputy director of traffic and transportation at Albert Webb & Associates, said the survey evaluated 75 roadway segments and recommended adjusting speeds on 11 segments based on prevailing traffic speeds, collision history and surrounding land uses. The consultant told the council the study used 80th‑percentile vehicle speeds, 24‑hour radar counts and three years of collision data from the California Highway Patrol SWITRS system.

Why it matters: State law requires engineering and traffic surveys to set speed limits for roadways over 25 mph. Assembly Bill 43 (2021) gives local agencies greater discretion to consider safety factors—such as pedestrian and bicycle presence, proximity to schools and vulnerable populations—when setting or reducing posted speeds. The council’s actions will determine which recommendations are implemented and when new signs and ordinances take effect.

Key findings and recommendations included reducing or rounding down posted speeds on several segments and increasing limits on a handful of other segments where prevailing travel speeds were higher. Examples cited in the presentation included: - Date Palm Drive (Thirtieth Ave. to McCallum): the survey’s 80th‑percentile speed was 54 mph; staff recommended posting 50 mph (current posted 45 mph). The consultant said rounding to 50 was consistent with the pace‑range analysis; at the same time, councilmembers and residents urged staff to re‑examine pedestrian, bicycle and nearby development factors before increasing a segment that many said is used by bicyclists and has recent sidewalk construction. - McCallum Way and McAllen Way: staff recommended reductions to 25 mph on segments identified as qualifying residential districts under California Vehicle Code definitions. - Mountain View Road and Varner Road: staff recommended rounding down to 50 mph from higher observed speeds on long, higher‑speed segments; members of the public and the council urged attention to safety at known rollover/runoff locations. - Vista Chino: council members asked staff to reconsider lowering certain Vista Chino segments to 50 mph, citing new development, sidewalks and bike lanes as mitigating factors that AB 43 allows agencies to consider.

Council discussion focused on how to apply AB 43 factors in addition to the traditional 80th‑percentile methodology, and whether the study correctly reflected recent sidewalk installations and near‑term development. Staff said the study relies on existing, documented conditions and prior survey data; councilmembers pressed staff to revisit particular segments where development or pedestrian/bicycle facilities appear undercounted in the report.

Next steps: Staff said the report will be transmitted to the Planning Commission for recommendation, and an ordinance will be brought to City Council with a first reading scheduled for May 28 and a second reading and adoption scheduled for June 25. Implementation costs for replacing or adding signs will be covered by the public works maintenance budget, staff said.

Public comment: A resident, Joseph Chales, urged attention to potholes and safety on the Mountain View/Varner corridor during the public comment period.

The council did not take a final vote on speed changes during the study session; staff sought guidance and said they will revise the report where appropriate before the formal ordinance process.