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Council accepts speed survey, appropriates $52,000 and directs several speed reductions
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Summary
City receives a traffic speed survey covering 20 segments, approves $52,000 to cover the work and directs staff to adopt recommended speed reductions on select collectors (Country Club, Foothill, Fairview) and to pursue lowering Cuyama to 20 mph given narrow roadway safety concerns.
The Ojai City Council on Tuesday received and filed a citywide speed survey and approved an appropriation of $52,000 to cover the study’s cost, directing staff to move forward with recommended sign posting and a subset of speed reductions.
Public Works presented data collected on 20 segments across collectors and residential streets. Traffic engineers explained the study used 85th‑percentile (commonly expressed as “80th/85th percentile”) spot speeds and field observations to recommend appropriate posted limits. The report recommended no change for many streets, but traffic engineers proposed reducing posted speeds by 5 mph on Country Club Drive, Fairview Drive and Foothill Road (e.g., 35→30) to reflect observed speeds and corridor safety. Staff also recommended that, given safety and narrow cross‑section, Cuyama Avenue be evaluated for 20 mph signage.
Traffic consultant Andrew Yee explained speed data collection practice and defended weekday sampling as representative for speed behavior; the police chief said enforcement trends include more stop‑sign violations during high‑volume weekends but not necessarily higher speeds. Residents from Cuyama and other neighborhoods described high volumes and blind corners, urging lower posted limits and traffic calming such as speed humps.
Council voted to receive and file the report and to appropriate $52,000 to cover implementation and study costs; council also gave direction to include a 20 mph recommendation for Cuyama where justified by narrow roadway and crash history and to return with a resolution to adopt the engineer‑recommended limits and proposed signage. Staff said next steps include preparing a speed‑hump policy and an implementation plan for signage and enforcement coordination with police.
What’s next: Staff will prepare an adoption resolution with precise posted limits, produce a speed‑hump policy and coordinate with police on enforcement and signage installation.
