DANA POINT : Speed Limit Decisions Are Expected Tonight

The City Council will decide tonight whether two of Dana Point’s main stretches of road should get new speed limits.

The sections to be discussed are Crown Valley Parkway, between Coast Highway and Sea Island Drive, and Dana Point Harbor Drive, between Street of the Golden Lantern and Ensenada Place.

On Crown Valley Parkway, the city staff has recommended that the speed limit be increased from 35 to 40 m.p.h., said Mort August, the city’s director of public works and engineering services. But the city should also post warning signs in order to slow drivers to 35 m.p.h. at two curves, according to a staff report.

The staff recommendation goes against the wishes of the city’s traffic commission and the residents of nearby Monarch Bay Terrace, who lobbied to have the limit remain at 35 m.p.h., August said.

“The commission was convinced by the people of Monarch Bay Terrace to leave it at 35, but we don’t think that limit would stand up if tested in court,” August said.

On Dana Point Harbor Drive, the new speed limit should be 30 m.p.h. instead of 35 m.p.h., the staff has recommended.

On a third segment, Coast Highway, between Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road, the city staff is recommending the speed limit remain at 50 m.p.h.

The new speed limits are based on radar surveys performed by the city staff every five years, as required by law, August said.

If traffic tickets are issued based on radar checks, as they are in Dana Point, regular speed surveys must be done, August said.