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

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…