Consider Lowering Speed Limit on Residential Roads

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider lowering the speed limit on residential roads in the City of Ramsey.
Background:
The current speed limit on residential roads is 30 mph.  In the past this speed limit was set by the Commissioner of Transportation at  MnDot.  Earlier this spring the State Legislature passed a law allowing the local road authority the ability to lower the speed limit on residential roads to 25 mph, if they so choose.

‘Residential roadway’ definition expanded

A “residential roadway” is now defined to include all city streets in an area zoned exclusively for housing and are not collector or arterial streets. The change in definition of a residential roadway expands the ability of cities to designate such streets at 25 mph, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 169.14, subdivision 2 (7).

Changing the speed limit on such a street no longer requires a traffic study by MnDOT, nor does it require an engineering analysis by the city. Cities may simply adopt the 25 mph speed limit by council action provided the roadway meets the new definition.  After speaking with the city attorney he advised that any council action to change the speed limits must be done by ordinance, because only ordinances are enforceable by law.  

15 minutes

City staff receives numerous phone calls from residents with concerns about motorists that they feel are  speeding in their neighborhoods.  Staff from Public Works, Engineering and the Police Department have discussed this issue and feel, if we are to change the speed limit on residential streets, it must be consistent city wide.  Staffs reasoning is the cost of the additional signage would be prohibitive and enforcement for the PD would be difficult at best, if the speed limit changed from road section to road section. 

General Fund 0260-6249 Traffic Engineering

Staff does not have a strong recommendation on this issue and can support either speed limit that the committee and ultimately the council decides upon. There will be a fairly substantial labor component switching the speed limit signs over though. Staff will have a better count on the number of signs that will need to be modified at the meeting.

Motion that the speed limit on residential streets remain at the current speed limit of  30 mph or
Motion to direct staff to begin developing  a draft ordinance to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on all residential streets.