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Woodside asks Caltrans for 15 mph school‑hour zone at Woodside Elementary; earlier 25 mph request also approved
Summary
Council passed two separate resolutions: one asking Caltrans to set a 25 mph speed zone on a segment of Woodside Road and another asking for a 15 mph school‑hour zone defined by the Woodside Elementary property lines with advance signage; parents and circulation committee members urged action after multiple near misses.
The Woodside Town Council on Feb. 10 approved two requests to Caltrans aimed at slowing traffic on State Highway 84 in town.
First, the council voted to request Caltrans establish a 25 mph speed zone on a segment of Woodside Road after a petition with 543 signatures and public safety concerns following a bicycle fatality. Councilmember Abarish moved the resolution and it passed unanimously.
Separately, after extensive public comment from parents and the circulation committee about near misses in front of Woodside Elementary, the council approved a modified resolution asking Caltrans to establish a 15 mph school‑hour speed zone defined by the Woodside Elementary property lines (rather than a uniform 500‑foot buffer). The resolution also directs town staff to work with Caltrans on implementation and to install advance signage alerting drivers to the approaching school zone during hours when children are present.
Circulation committee members presented speed‑trailer data showing many vehicles exceed 25 mph in the school corridor during drop‑off and pick‑up. Parent Christina Warren cited research on pedestrian survivability at lower speeds and said the 15 mph standard has been adopted in neighboring communities. Some council members asked staff to coordinate traffic‑calming measures, consider sight‑line improvements and ensure Caltrans studies any unintended rerouting.
