Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service, or an appropriate designee, to request that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to establish a reasonable and safe speed limit on the roadways within the Downtown District.
Said roadways, which are shown on the attached map, are completely contained within the Downtown District as defined in Columbus City Code section 3359.03, and the Downtown District meets the requirements of a Business District as defined in Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.01 (NN) and Columbus City Code 2101.06. The roadways in the Downtown District are not suitable as through streets. Further, these roadways are business and residential in nature, are within the core pedestrian areas, and foster a downtown neighborhood that supports a multi-modal transportation system that embraces walking, biking, and transit. The speed limit on roadways within the core pedestrian areas shall be declared to be 25 miles per hour, if they are not already posted as such. The speed limit on alleys and within school zones shall not change.
The speed limit on the roadways outside the core pedestrian areas and adjacent to freeway entrance and exit ramps coming into and leaving the Downtown District shall not change.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City as a consequence of the passage of this legislation.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to ensure the prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour is established on said roadways within the Downtown District to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to request that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) establish a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour on the roadways within the Downtown District within the core pedestrian areas, if they are not already posted as such; to repeal any and all speed limit ordinances and resolutions on said roadways; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21 (B) and Columbus City Code 2133.03 (B) provide that it is prima facie lawful to operate at a speed not exceeding 25 miles per hour within a municipal corporation, except on state routes outside business districts, through highways outside business districts, and alleys; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Code Section 3359.01 provides that the said roadways are within the Downtown District Boundary and meet the definitions in Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.01 (NN) and Columbus City Code Section 2101.06 of a Business District; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21 provides for the establishment of a reasonable and safe prima-facie speed limit under such conditions by ordinance enacted by a local authority; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management, recommends a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour be established on the roadways within the Downtown District within the core pedestrian areas, if they are not already posted as such; and
WHEREAS, the posted speed on alleys and within school zones contained in the Downtown District shall not change; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to affect this change so as to ensure the prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour is established to ensure the safety of the traveling public all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service is authorized to request that the Director of ODOT establish a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour on the roadways within the Downtown District within the core pedestrian areas, if they are not already posted as such.
SECTION 2. That, upon such determination by the Director of ODOT the roadways shown on the attached map constitute the Downtown District, it is hereby established that a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour is reasonable and safe under existing conditions within the core pedestrian areas.
SECTION 3. That any and all previous speed limit ordinances and resolutions on the roadways shown on the attached map which constitutes the Downtown District, per City Code Section 3359.01, are repealed.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.