REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Establish 15 Miles Per Hour School Zones and Extend the School Zone near Laurelwood Elementary School, and Find the Action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15031(c)
Report
BACKGROUND
Laurelwood Elementary School was formerly located in the City of Santa Clara at 955 Teal Drive. The school was relocated to and started classes at 1095 Dunford Way in the City of Sunnyvale, at the border of the Santa Clara/Sunnyvale city limits, in August 2026. The school continues to serve students from both Sunnyvale and Santa Clara.
During the design of the new campus, throughout the construction phase, and following the school’s opening, City departments, including the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Department of Public Works, and the Office of the City Manager, have worked closely with the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD), Laurelwood Elementary School, and the City of Santa Clara to coordinate and improve traffic conditions near the new school location. DPS and SCUSD have requested that the City establish a 15-mile-per-hour (mph) school-zone speed limit along the school frontage on Dunford Way and Teal Drive.
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 10.08 authorizes the City Traffic Engineer to place and maintain official traffic control devices as required under the City's traffic ordinances and resolutions or pursuant to the California Vehicle Code (CVC). These traffic control devices are to be installed in accordance with applicable City regulations and the latest standards and guidelines established by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
The California Manual for Setting Speed Limits published by Caltrans provides guidance for establishing speed limits through the conventional speed-limit-setting process, including the use of Engineering and Traffic Surveys. The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control De...
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