Norco council approves first reading of posted speed‑limit ordinance after heated public hearing

The Norco City Council held a public hearing on a citywide speed survey and on first reading approved Ordinance No. 11‑43, which establishes prima facie posted speed limits on specified city streets. The ordinance — described in the staff report as the result of a 2025 engineering traffic survey — was moved and supported by council after consultants and staff fielded extensive questions about methodology, horse‑trail impacts and legal risk. The City Clerk summarized the roll-call result: the mayor and several council members voted yes, with Councilmembers Newton and Sullivan recorded as voting no.

Consultant Fred Menegar said the recommendations follow the legally required 85th‑percentile methodology and associated engineering judgment. "68 out of 78 surveyed street segments are being recommended to remain at their existing legally established posted speed limits," Menegar said during his presentation, adding that several segments will be reclassified as residential and set at 25 mph prima facie. Multiple council members and residents pressed the consultant on why some segments would see higher posted speeds and on whether the surveys, limited by law to radar counts taken between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., capture commuter or off‑peak conditions. Council directed staff to return with a signed, revised report and cost estimates for new signage and pavement marking changes for the second reading; members also asked the STUCK (Streets & Trails) commission to review the survey and to prepare legislation to seek special provisions for Norco from the state if needed.