Speed Limit

The Newport Beach Harbor Commission recently approved changes to the harbor speed limit that would allow certain sailors and human-powered vessels to exceed the city's 5-knot speed limit, which equals 5.75 mph. Boaters who are in a permitted race, or who are practicing for a permitted race, would be allowed to exceed the speed limit under the proposal . It still has to be approved by the City Council. For years, sailboat racers and law enforcement personnel have been trying to reach such a compromise.

Members of the Newport Beach City Council expressed frustration — as did several members of the community — about a plan to increase speed limits on some stretches of roadway, including along East Coast Highway by the Cameo neighborhoods. But in the end, the council members voted unanimously to adopt the increases with a plan to review the Cameo area and three others to see if speeds could be adjusted in the future. "This is one of those issues that infuriates the public," said Councilman Keith Curry.

NEWPORT BEACH — The city is creating a special permitting process to allow sail and crew racers to exceed the harbor's 5-knot speed limit. Five knots equals 5 nautical miles per hour, or an approximate speed of 5.75 mph. After years of discussion and various proposals, the Harbor Commission, Orange County Sheriff's Department's Harbor Patrol, boating organizations and city officials appear to have agreed on a concept. It would allow groups such as yacht clubs and collegiate associations to apply for a permit before a given regatta — both for sailboats and crew boats — and any practices leading up to the races.

NEWPORT BEACH -- The City Council decided Monday to raise the speed limit on Santiago Drive to 30 mph despite residents' protests that the increase would encourage people to speed. Police Chief Bob McDonnell argued, however, that the new speed limit will make it possible for officers to use radar detectors on the street. In order for police to use radar devices to control speeding, they legally need a minimum of a 30 mph speed limit. "If you want us to address the speed issue, give us the tools to do so," McDonnell said.

After a monthlong summer recess, the Newport Beach City Council will resume business Tuesday. The council plans to vote on the city's leases with the Balboa Bay Club & Resort and the Balboa Theater, discuss moving the police headquarters across town and consider changing the harbor's speed limit to accommodate racing boaters. In August, International Bay Clubs Inc. announced it had sold the BBC, which sits on public land managed by the city. Now the council may reassign the lease to the new owner, Chinese businessman Winston Chung's company Seven-One Capital-Business Inc. According to a city staff report, the BBC paid $2.7 million to lease the city land in 2010.

Costa Mesa Mayor Eric Bever has chosen Ray Garcia for the Mayor’s Award for his work in helping the city increase traffic safety. Garcia will be honored at Tuesday’s City Council meeting at City Hall. “He was instrumental in getting the speed limit on Adams Avenue reduced to 45 miles per hour,” Bever said. Garcia also helped get extra signage and an electronic speed warning radar put in on the major street. Last year the speed limit on the street was 50 mph. Every month the mayor chooses someone from the city he believes performed an outstanding service to the community and embodies leadership qualities.

Obey school-zone speed-limit signs. The speed limit when children are present in a school zone is 25 mph. Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students. Drive without distractions. Don't use cellphones, eat, apply makeup, shave or do anything that could take your attention from the road. Avoid U-turns in school zones, congested areas or close to an intersection. Don't park, even temporarily, where it is illegal.

I think it could all be corrected by controlling the speed. People just drive too fast on it. I drive it every other day and I am going my 35 to 40 mph, and they go by me like I am standing still. If you take the curve out, you are going to have a raceway where they go 80 mph. I really think it could be controlled with speed. I endorse Tom Neth's letter to you about Irvine Avenue ("Safety on Irvine Avenue a matter of being safe," May 14). I say ditto to everything he has to say. I have traveled it more than 40 years, since it was built, and I go the speed limit, and everyone goes by me like I am sitting still.

Danette Goulet NEWPORT COAST -- Angry residents have now drafted a petition demanding a footbridge be constructed near the new elementary school, claiming their previous requests have fallen on deaf ears. "The county is dragging their feet," said Diana Snider-Henson, one of the parent advocates for the proposed footbridge. "We're not getting a lot of response. I think everyone is trying to pass it off." Newport Coast Elementary School will sit on the corner of Newport Coast Drive -- a six-lane highway with a speed limit of 60 mph -- and Park Ridge Road, a street with a steep incline that does not yet have a speed limit.

A tunnel below Newport Boulevard would probably get rid of all that crummy beach traffic that is passing through Costa Mesa from the 55. But, even if it’s decided to do that, it’ll take years to get it done. We need relief now. The night was moonless. The speed limit was 55. I was driving alone on a two-lane highway in the middle of North Carolina. Suddenly there was a blind curve. As soon as I got around the curve, a police car pulled me over. “Good evening, sir. I stopped you because you were speeding.

After a monthlong summer recess, the Newport Beach City Council will resume business Tuesday. The council plans to vote on the city's leases with the Balboa Bay Club & Resort and the Balboa Theater, discuss moving the police headquarters across town and consider changing the harbor's speed limit to accommodate racing boaters. In August, International Bay Clubs Inc. announced it had sold the BBC, which sits on public land managed by the city. Now the council may reassign the lease to the new owner, Chinese businessman Winston Chung's company Seven-One Capital-Business Inc. According to a city staff report, the BBC paid $2.7 million to lease the city land in 2010.

The Newport Beach Harbor Commission recently approved changes to the harbor speed limit that would allow certain sailors and human-powered vessels to exceed the city's 5-knot speed limit, which equals 5.75 mph. Boaters who are in a permitted race, or who are practicing for a permitted race, would be allowed to exceed the speed limit under the proposal . It still has to be approved by the City Council. For years, sailboat racers and law enforcement personnel have been trying to reach such a compromise.

IRVINE — The City Council is considering an ordinance that proposes to raise or lower speed limits along 22 stretches of roadway. It would cost Irvine $3,500, which would be paid out of its Public Works budget, to install new signs posting the changed speed limits, according to a staff report. The draft ordinance, based on an annual traffic survey, proposes lowering posted speed limits by 5 mph along eight stretches: •Westbound Campus Drive between MacArthur Boulevard and Von Karman Avenue; •Eastbound and westbound Campus between Jamboree Road and Carlson Avenue; •In both directions on Irvine Center Drive between Jeffrey Road and Orangetree, between Barranca Parkway and the southbound San Diego (405)

NEWPORT BEACH — The city is creating a special permitting process to allow sail and crew racers to exceed the harbor's 5-knot speed limit. Five knots equals 5 nautical miles per hour, or an approximate speed of 5.75 mph. After years of discussion and various proposals, the Harbor Commission, Orange County Sheriff's Department's Harbor Patrol, boating organizations and city officials appear to have agreed on a concept. It would allow groups such as yacht clubs and collegiate associations to apply for a permit before a given regatta — both for sailboats and crew boats — and any practices leading up to the races.

It was devastating to see your front-page story, "Accident leaves 3 dead" (Jan. 16), and to find out later that excessive speed may have been involved! I do hope that this will not call for a regular traffic survey under the guidelines created by the California Department of Transportation that has had the attention of the Newport City Council this last week. I shudder to think that the speed limit on Coast Highway could be increased due to that unfortunate display of civic responsibility.

Members of the Newport Beach City Council expressed frustration — as did several members of the community — about a plan to increase speed limits on some stretches of roadway, including along East Coast Highway by the Cameo neighborhoods. But in the end, the council members voted unanimously to adopt the increases with a plan to review the Cameo area and three others to see if speeds could be adjusted in the future. "This is one of those issues that infuriates the public," said Councilman Keith Curry.

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian is looking to finance a $35-million project, and to refinance about $85 million in bond debt, through city-sponsored interest-free bonds [pdf]. The Newport Beach City Council will vote on this and other items at its 7 p.m. meeting Tuesday. Here are a few more highlights from the agenda : Some fast drivers won't face tickets if the council votes to approve new, mostly higher, speed limits [pdf] throughout the city. As the Daily Pilot reported in November, state law requires that the city survey how fast cars move around town and adjust the limits to better reflect their speeds.

Local kids scored first place recently in the local qualifier round of a worldwide robotics and technology competition put together by Lego and FIRST. The Newport Coast “Bad Robot” team of fifth- and sixth-graders won the FIRST Lego League qualifying tournament at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana earlier this month, beating out 23 other teams. “It was stunning,” said parent John Chan. “I was amazed that they beat out older kids. I think it was a little disturbing to the 13- and 14-year-olds.

Costa Mesa Mayor Eric Bever has chosen Ray Garcia for the Mayor’s Award for his work in helping the city increase traffic safety. Garcia will be honored at Tuesday’s City Council meeting at City Hall. “He was instrumental in getting the speed limit on Adams Avenue reduced to 45 miles per hour,” Bever said. Garcia also helped get extra signage and an electronic speed warning radar put in on the major street. Last year the speed limit on the street was 50 mph. Every month the mayor chooses someone from the city he believes performed an outstanding service to the community and embodies leadership qualities.