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Buena Park adopts updated speed limits on 21 segments following new state law and speed survey
Summary
Following a state‑law change and an updated engineering and spot‑speed survey, the council adopted an ordinance that lowers posted limits on 21 segments citywide — averaging about a 5 mph reduction on affected arterials — and directed coordination with county signal timing and enforcement planning.
The Buena Park City Council adopted an ordinance updating the city’s special speed‑zone map after staff completed a citywide engineering and traffic survey required under the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the California Vehicle Code.
Principal Engineer Nader Alkom told the council the updated survey — the required seven‑year update — recommends reduced posted speeds on 21 segments, including an average 5‑mile‑per‑hour reduction on key arterials such as Artesia Boulevard, Beach Boulevard, Knott Avenue and Orange Slope Avenue. The survey also recommends establishing a 25‑mph limit on an 8th Street segment between Knott Avenue and Western Avenue.
Alkom referenced recent state legislation informing the changes as described in the staff report (transcript notes show "AB43 and AB1938" in the written report). He explained the work follows the 85th/80th percentile methodology in traffic engineering and that the new law allows for rounding down (for example, a 39 mph 80th‑percentile result can be posted as 35 mph).
Council members questioned survey timing, enforcement capacity and the effect of differing posted limits across jurisdictional boundaries. Staff and consultants said surveys are taken during off‑peak free‑flow conditions (one hour or 100 vehicles, whichever comes first) and that the city will coordinate with county traffic‑timing consultants so signal timing is not disrupted. Captain Brad Geier and police staff said enforcement would require an emphasis period as signage changes are posted.
A public comment submitted through the agenda system supported the ordinance as a step to reduce deaths of pedestrians, bicyclists and micromobility users. Council approved the ordinance unanimously, with direction to pull Grand Avenue for a separate look as requested by council members to determine whether additional reductions or a safety‑corridor finding are appropriate.
Staff said they will forward adopted speed data to county consultants for signal timing work, update signage and return as needed on enforcement implementation.
