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Council votes to introduce ordinance lowering speed limits on Freights Road and I Street
Summary
After staff presented new 80th‑percentile traffic surveys and the effects of recent calming measures, the council moved to introduce an ordinance lowering Freight's Road to 35 mph and I Street to 30 mph; the roll-call motion passed unanimously.
The Petaluma City Council voted on Feb. 23 to introduce an ordinance revising radar-enforceable speed limits on two corridors after staff presented updated engineering and traffic surveys.
Staff explained the technical basis: speed limits follow an engineering and traffic survey that uses the 80th‑percentile vehicle speed and rounding rules under the California Vehicle Code. Bjorn Greetenberg summarized recent data showing the 80th‑percentile on Freight's Road fell from 43 mph (2020) to 41 mph in a new survey; staff recommended rounding down to 35 mph given residential land use and bicycle/pedestrian activity. For I Street, new traffic-calming medians reduced the 80th‑percentile from 41 mph to 35 mph, allowing staff to recommend a posted limit of 30 mph.
Council members and residents raised safety and design questions. Council Member Shribbs asked about vertical clearance for small boats and how frequently the movable span would operate; staff said normal high-tide clearance would be about 8 feet and that lift frequency would be similar to the nearby D Street bridge. Residents asked about reflective markers on medians on I Street and truck noise on Freight's Road; staff said road markings and reflective elements are in place and promised to re-check reflector condition.
Christine White, a nearby resident, asked why staff recommended a further 5 mph reduction on I Street after prior traffic-calming measures, given observed speeds; staff said the latest survey shows the medians have reduced speeds and that the recommendation follows the 80th‑percentile methodology while aligning with the city's Vision Zero safety goals.
Council Member Barnacle moved to introduce the ordinance; Kater Thompson seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous in favor (Barnacle, K. Thompson, DeCarly, Nao, Quint, Shribbs, McDonnell). Staff said the city will circulate required notices and proceed with the ordinance process.
Next steps: introduction and subsequent hearings as required by law; staff will post supporting traffic data and continue community outreach regarding implementation and signaling.
