Council authorizes staff to draft ordinance lowering speed limit on New Hope Village Drive to 15 mph

The Goldsboro City Council voted May 5 to authorize staff to draft an ordinance lowering the posted speed limit on New Hope Village Drive from 25 mph to 15 mph, at the request of residents in Councilman White’s district.

Transportation engineering staff member Jonathan said staff had asked the neighborhood to submit a petition and that the city’s customary threshold for petitions has been 70% of homeowners; he said he had not yet received the completed petition. Jonathan noted the city currently has no existing 15 mph ordinance, so drafting appropriate language is a necessary next step.

Council members expressed support for the 15 mph request and asked staff to develop a formal traffic-policy guideline the city can apply consistently in future requests. During debate, staff clarified that the council’s authorization directs them to prepare the ordinance and that the speed limit can only be enforced after the council adopts the ordinance and signs are posted.

Councilwoman (unnamed on record) moved that the council approve the speed limit request and authorize staff to draft an ordinance for council consideration; the motion carried on a voice/hand vote with no dissent recorded.

Staff said they will return with a drafted ordinance and the required signage plan. The engineering office also noted the petition threshold (70% by homeowners) is drawn from the city’s existing procedures for water, sewer, and roadway petitions, and that staff will bring a recommended formal policy for council consideration in the future.