City of Schenectady looks to lower speed limit to 25 mph
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The speed limit throughout the city is anticipated to be lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph, starting March 1, city officials confirmed. President of the City Council Marion Porterfield said the change is likely but still has to be voted on.
On Monday, the City Council held a public hearing to address changes to the city vehicle and traffic safety law. Several community and council members talked in favor of lowering the speed limit.
"In the Stockade we continue to see an increase in visitors year-round," said Suzanne Unger, a Stockade resident. "A lower speed limit will make this area an attraction, safer, and more desirable."
"We've said from the start that we see this as a safety issue, so I agree with almost all the speakers that highlighted that," Councilmember Carmel Patrick said in the meeting. "I appreciate the support we've been getting."
According to Porterfield, she believes the vote will be passed.
If approved, the amended City Code will read that "The City-Wide speed limit on all City streets shall be twenty-five (25) miles per hour unless otherwise designated by the City Engineer or the New York State Department of Transportation."
Although lowering the speed limit is supported, one councilmember said it's not enough.
"I think what the community should recognize is that this is one of many steps that need to be taken, first of which is recognizing that our legislation needs to, in fact, support some of these best practices," Councilmember Carl Williams said. "But it also requires the buy-in from our motor vehicles and enforcement from our local police department, so it's truly a multi-layered approach that needs to have everyone understand the importance of why slowing down is important."
Before the change can be implemented, the ordinance must pass out of the Committee on January 21 and then pass through the full Council on January 27. However, officials said the preparations for the change have begun.