Title
AN ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING PORTIONS OF DARROW ROAD (STATE ROUTE 91) AS BEING AN “URBAN DISTRICT” UNDER STATE LAW AND AMENDING THE CITY’S TRAFFIC CODE TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 45 MILES PER HOUR TO 35 MILES PER HOUR ON DARROW ROAD (STATE ROUTE 91) BETWEEN VALLEY VIEW ROAD AND THE CITY’S NORTHERN CORPORATE LINE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: Staff have completed an evaluation of the speed limit along Darrow Road (SR 91) between the Northerly Corporate Line and Valley View Road, which has a current speed limit of 45 mph. Based on these findings, staff recommend that the City proceed with legislation to officially designate this segment as an "Urban District." This designation provides the legal framework to reduce the posted speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
Due to on-going resident concerns, the Engineering Department has completed an evaluation of the speed limit along Darrow Road (SR 91) between the Northerly Corporate Line and Valley View Road, which has a current speed limit of 45 mph. Based on these findings, staff recommends that the City proceed with legislation to designate this segment as an "Urban District." This designation provides the legal framework to reduce the posted speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph.
The definition of an “Urban District” as defined in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4511.01(PP) states a roadway segment must satisfy two primary criteria. First, the territory must be at least one-quarter mile long. Second, the frontage must consist of structures situated at intervals of less than 100 feet throughout that quarter-mile distance. Per ORC Section 4511.21(B)(3), once these requirements are met, the prima facie speed limit for a state route within that district is established at 35 mph.
The Engineering Department verified measurements to confirm that the corridor’s structure density meets the statutory threshold. Staff also consulted with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding this change. ODOT’s District Speed Zone Coordinator confirmed that the City possesses the authority to make this determination independently and noted that ODOT does not approve or maintain records for these specific types of urban district speed zones, leaving the decision under local jurisdiction.
Therefore, staff is recommending the City proceed with legislation to officially designate this segment as an "Urban District” and to reduce the posted speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph along Darrow Road (SR 91) from the North Corporation Line to Valley View Road. With Council’s concurrence, Schedule I of Section 410.01 of the City’s Codified Ordinances shall be amended to reflect this change.
An emergency clause is being requested for the safety of the traveling public.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
X Other
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
X Yes
No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
The City staff recommends that the speed limit be lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph on Hines Hill Road from the western corporation line to Prospect Street. An emergency clause is being requested for the safety of the traveling public.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Brian Griffith, Assistant City Manager
Bradley S. Kosco, PE, PS, City Engineer
Jonathon Szalay, PE, Senior Engineer