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Aliso Viejo council forms ad hoc and orders follow-up after resident recounts near-miss on Hummingbird Lane
Summary
After a resident described repeated speeding and a recent near-miss involving her 10-year-old daughter, the Aliso Viejo City Council directed staff to pursue traffic-calming options, approved permanent speed signs and appointed an ad hoc committee to work with neighbors and report back.
A resident's warning about a near-collision on Hummingbird Lane prompted the Aliso Viejo City Council to direct staff to expand traffic-calming work and appoint an ad hoc committee to engage the neighborhood.
"Every single day, drivers use Hummingbird Lane as a cut through and speed down the street with no regard for people who live there," said Lisa Marie Gollin, a Hummingbird Lane resident who urged immediate action after saying her 10‑year‑old daughter was nearly hit last week. Residents have circulated petitions and asked the city for steps to protect children and walkers.
Council member Tim, who met with about 15 homeowners from the area, described the neighborhood as roughly 289 homes with about 70 children and two school-bus stops. "I would like to direct the staff to look into some traffic calming measures," he said, asking staff to compile what they have already analyzed and convene community meetings if additional options are needed.
City manager Mitzi told the council a consultant had already conducted a speed study and that staff planned to install permanent speed-activated signs in the neighborhood. "Staff is still continuing to work, still looking at additional data as far as the traffic and speeds through that neighborhood," she said, and indicated the council may consider measures not currently recommended by staff.
Staff described costs for the equipment and studies during the discussion: permanent speed signs were cited at about $8,000 apiece (roughly $16,000 for two) and the initial study at about $8,000–$9,000 with a follow-up near $4,000, figures provided by city staff at the meeting.
A representative from the sheriff's office said enforcement is part of a rotating deployment and provided historical citation figures: one deputy assigned to the area wrote dozens of citations in specific months, and the office reported roughly 559 citations over the last two years in the broader rotation, with 24 citations in Hummingbird in May and 60 across July–August 2024. The sheriff's representative also said more than 90% of citations in the area were issued to neighborhood residents.
To accelerate neighborhood outreach and review options, the council voted unanimously to form an ad hoc committee, naming Tim and a second member to work with staff and the homeowners association to review staff findings, hold community meetings and return with recommendations. The mayor said the committee should make its findings available so residents can participate in the process.
The council's action followed approval of the consent calendar and other routine items; staff will return to the council with updates and, if requested, staff will present additional options for council direction.
The ad hoc committee and staff follow-up are the next procedural steps; the council set no specific deadline in the meeting for the committee's report.
