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Commissioners adopt ordinance lowering Umptanum Road speed limit to 35 mph after residents testify about safety
Summary
After extensive public comment both for and against, the Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 2025-005 to lower the posted speed on Umptanum Road from 50 mph to 35 mph, citing safety near Damman School and new FHWA guidance; the vote was 3-0.
Kittitas County commissioners voted 3-0 on May 20 to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-005, lowering the posted speed limit on Umptanum Road from 50 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour and directing placement of new speed-limit signage.
County Engineer Cameron Curtis presented the department's speed study and recommended the reduction, noting new guidance published by the Federal Highway Administration earlier in the year about setting context-sensitive speed limits. Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Stephanie Hartung told commissioners the FHWA document is advisory guidance rather than a legal requirement and that the county must weigh multiple local factors when setting limits.
The public comment period included multiple residents and school officials. Tim Latless, identified as a Damman School superintendent, urged lowering the limit to improve safety for children. Victoria Anaya said she "almost did not move there" because of safety concerns and told commissioners her dog had been struck and killed on Umptanum Road; she said she favors measures to prevent a child being killed. John Boitano said heavy truck traffic tied to four permitted quarries accelerates on the route and stated (as he reported) that loaded trucks make "300-400 trips per day." Mike Milligan, a Damman School board director, said students travel to a nearby Young Life building several times weekly and that teenage drivers increase risks.
Other residents opposed the change, telling the board the lower speed is a "band-aid" for deteriorating road base and that restrictions on commercial trucks or targeted weight limits would better address the problem. One commenter said that lowering the speed limit would add about two minutes to a typical commute. Several residents described property damage and vibration impacts to older homes and asked for stronger enforcement or school-zone camera enforcement rather than relying only on posted limits.
Commissioner Brett Wachsmith said he had been prepared to deny the request but, after reviewing the study documents and hearing testimony, changed his mind and voted in favor. Vice-Chairman Cory Wright said the county will continue to rely on data and FHWA guidance and emphasized the need for enforcement by the sheriff’s office. Chairman Laura Osiadacz said she supports the public process and will back the change but cautioned that enforcement resources are limited and a speed change will not solve all road-condition issues.
The board approved the ordinance and sign placement by a 3-0 vote. The ordinance amends Section 10.08.020 of the Kittitas County Code; the transcript does not specify an ordinance effective date beyond adoption at the May 20 meeting.
