Title
Consider and take action on Ordinance 2025-30 to set a 35 miles per hour (mph) speed limit along Bay Area Blvd between League City Parkway and Magnolia Greens Lane, a distance of approximately .59 miles; providing for a penalty; requiring publication; and establishing an effective date - Second Reading (Council Member Mann, Mayor Long, and Mayor Pro Tem Cones)
Council approved the first reading subject to amendments, 8-0-0 on August 12, 2025.
Background:
Approval of this item will set a 35-mph speed limit along Bay Area Blvd between League City Parkway and Magnolia Green Lane. Exhibit A shows an aerial of the segment.
This item proposes to amend the posted speed limit on Bay Area Blvd between League City Parkway and Magnolia Greens Lane from 40 mph to 35 mph. The current 40 mph limit was adopted by ordinance in May 2025 following a speed zone study that found an average 85th percentile speed of 43 mph.
Since implementation, the City has received two emails from residents expressing concerns with a formal request to change the posted limit to 35 mph. Key concerns noted within the email are as follows:
• Public Safety: Increased vehicle speeds pose risks to drivers exiting Cedar Brook Lane, cyclists, and low-profile vehicles like tricycles. A fatality previously occurred at League City Parkway.
• Golf Cart Use: Raising the speed limit to 40 mph in May 2025, prohibited golf carts on Bay Area Blvd and affected residents access to community amenities.
The speed zone study conducted by Staff in May 2025 supports 40 mph from a technical standpoint, but state and national guidance (TX Manual Uniform Traffic Control Devices) allows for contextual adjustments.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance 2025-30
2. Speed Zone Study for Bay Area Blvd
3. Exhibit A Aerial Map
4. Exhibit B Spot Speed Data and Traffic Volume Data
5. Exhibit C Crash Data
6. Emails from Residents
FUNDING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE