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Council reviews school‑zone code update that would set 15 mph limit and standardize flashers
Summary
Staff presented a first reading to amend city code to define school zones, update school names and infrastructure standards, and reduce maximum school‑zone speeds to 15 mph; council asked staff to reconcile a 600 vs. 750‑foot statutory reference before second reading.
City staff presented a first reading of an ordinance to update Charlottesville’s city code for school zones, including standardizing school‑zone infrastructure and lowering the maximum school‑zone speed to 15 mph.
Kyle Rodlin, Safe for Us school-zone coordinator (Speaker 23), said the code currently omits some eligible streets and does not reflect recent school‑name changes. The proposed ordinance would define eligible streets, set a consistent baseline for flashers and signs, and reduce the maximum school‑zone speed (currently 25 mph) to 15 mph within school zones. The proposal also contemplates relocating and upgrading flashers, markings and signage citywide.
Council members asked staff to resolve an inconsistency in the packet about statutory distances — one place in the draft referenced 600 feet, another referenced 750 feet following a 2023 statutory change. Rodlin said staff will correct that before the second reading. Council also clarified that “fixed blinking signs” refer to wig‑wag yellow flashers in statute and not radar speed‑display signs.
Staff said the ordinance will return for a second reading and recommended adding the item to the next consent agenda once statutory references are reconciled.
