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Residents urge speed limits, roundabouts and stricter enforcement near West Road and Laughlin Way
Summary
Public commenters at the Mendocino Council of Governments meeting urged lower speed limits, traffic‑calming measures and enforcement after years of speeding, truck parking and roadside litter near West Road, Laughlin Way and North State Street.
Several residents pressed the Mendocino Council of Governments on May 4 for faster action to reduce speeding and truck parking near West Road, Laughlin Way and the North State Street exit, saying local roads are unsafe for pedestrians and drivers.
A longtime resident who identified herself as a Red Valley resident said the stretch should be treated as a residential road and urged a 35 mph limit: “It should be pretty black and white. It's a residential. It should be 35 miles an hour,” she said, describing repeated near‑misses and weekend commercial parking that has created rutted pullouts and litter.
Another resident who said she lives on West Road described frequent, dangerous speeding — “People drive 50, 60, 70 miles an hour on that road past my house very regularly” — and asked the board to install more speed limit signs, repeat the posted limit, and consider reducing the limit to 35 mph. Both speakers urged the county or schools to adjust pickup/drop‑off practices where school traffic contributes to congestion.
Speakers also asked for stronger enforcement of county parking rules and suggested traffic‑calming infrastructure such as roundabouts or speed tables. One commenter said county staff had told her commercial vehicles can park up to 72 hours near the shoulder and called for code changes or clearer local standards. Board staff responded that no formal application for a countywide traffic‑calming grant had been received by MCOG and offered to raise the concern with the technical advisory committee.
Why it matters: Residents said the issue affects daily safety, active transportation and local quality of life. The comments were taken during the public comment period; board members and staff said they would consider the requests and discuss options with county DOT and technical committees.
Next steps: Staff offered to bring the matter to the next technical advisory committee meeting and to follow up with County DOT about speed‑calming measures and possible studies or grant applications. No formal action or vote on policy changes or ordinances occurred at the meeting.
