Addendumwe MEETING DATE: 1113115
ITEM NO: 1
ADDENDUM
8A b
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 9, 2015
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION U -12 -002 AND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT EIR -13 -001. PROJECT LOCATION:
300 MARCHMONT DRIVE. PROPERTY OWNER: HILLBROOK SCHOOL.
APPLICANT /APPELLANT: MARK SILVER. APPELLANT: PATRICIA
ELLIOT (AND OTHERS).
CONSIDER AN APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION
APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT MODIFICATION TO
INCREASE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND MODIFY OPERATIONS OF AN
EXISTING PRIVATE SCHOOL ( HILLBROOK SCHOOL) ON PROPERTY
ZONED HR -1. APNS 532 -10 -001 AND 532 -11 -011.
REMARKS:
Given the concerns raised in the appeals regarding average versus maximum trip counts as a
basis of a condition, the Town asked its traffic consultant to provide its expert opinion on this
matter. Attachment 26 contains the consultant's opinion.
In addition, the attached public comments (Attachment 27) were received after distribution of the
staff report.
Attachments previously received under separate cover
1. Public Comments received August 6, 2012, to November 21, 2012 (228 pages)
2. Draft Environmental Impact Report (previously received February 7, 2014)
3. Public Comments received November 22, 2012 to August 19, 2014 (305 pages)
4. Final Environmental Impact Report/Comments and Responses
5. September 24, 2014 Planning Commission Staff Report
6. September 24, 2014 Planning Commission Desk Item
PREPARED BY: LAUREL R. PREVETTI 4�_
Assistant Town Manager /Community DeveloDirector
Reviewed by: N/A Assistant Town Manager N/A Town Attorney N/A Finance
NADMTC REPORTS\2015 \Mamhmont3oo_Addendum.doex Reformatted: 5/30/02
PAGE
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: 300 MARCHMONT DRIVE/U- 12- 002/EIR -13 -001
JANUARY 9, 2015
7. September 30, 2014 Planning Commission Desk Item
8. October 6, 2014 Planning Commission Staff Report
9. October 6, 2014 Planning Commission Desk Item
10. Planning Commission approved CUP
11. Hillbrook Appeal
12. Elliot et al. Appeal (formerly identified as Neighbor Appeal)
13. Hillbrook consent to waive 56 -day Appeal hearing requirement
14. Elliot et al. consent to waive 56 -day Appeal hearing requirement (formerly identified as
Neighbor consent to waive 56 -day Appeal hearing requirement)
Attachments previously received January 8. 2015
15. September 24, 2014 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
16. September 30, 2014 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
17. October 6, 2014 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
18. Hillbrook Supplemental Appeal Information
19. Elliot et al. Supplemental Appeal Information
20. Peak period outbound trip counts completed after the Traffic Impact Analysis Addendum
21. Resolution to deny the appeals and uphold the Planning Commission's decision to approve
the project (with Exhibit A)
22. Resolution to deny the appeals and modify the Planning Commission's decision to approve
the project
23. Resolution to grant one or more aspects of the appeal(s) and approve the project with a
modification(s) to the conditions of approval
24. Resolution to grant one or more aspects of the appeal(s) and deny the project
25. Public Comments received 11:01 a.m. October 6, 2014 to 11:00 am January 8, 2015
Attachments received with this Addendum
26. Traffic consultant explanation of average versus maximum trip counts
27. Public Comments received 11:01 a.m. January 8, 2015 to January 9, 2015 11:00 a.m.
Distribution:
cc: Mark Silver, 300 Marchmont Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (on behalf of Hillbrook)
Patti Elliot, 269 Marchmont Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (on behalf of Elliot et al.)
LRP:JS:cg
T3Kf�!I
Transportation
Consultants
Vision That Moves Your Community
January 7, 2015
Mr. Jessy Pu, P.E.
Traffic Engineer
Town of Los Gatos
41 Miles Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Via e-mail only: Jpu(d)losgatosca gov
Subject: Response to Hillbrook School Questions
Dear Jessy:
RECEIVED
JAN -8 2015
TOWN
LANNING DIVISION
You asked for TJKM's opinion on the use of "average" versus "maximum" average daily traffic
(ADT) requirements for the conditions of approval for the current Hillbrook School application.
JThere is not a "standard" method of conducting such a process. However, in most engineering
matters, either method can be used.
The reason averages are considered is because of the natural daily variation that occurs in making
and timing of trips. Weather, personal factors, school schedules and events produce a variation in
traffic demands, so when "maximum" is used, the value set should accommodate the normal
fluctuations and variations that can occur. The "maximum" should be roughly 25 to 30 percent
higher than the "average" to deal with fluctuations; however, this percentage can vary depending
on the circumstances and the data set that is used. The use of a "maximum" would limit the
consideration of fluctuations in daily traffic, in effect creating an "average" at some level below the
"maximum."
The reason maximums are considered is to minimize the potential of an unforeseen traffic spike
that could be impactful to a neighborhood. TJKM's opinion is that the use of "maximum" when
Pleasanton
4305 Hacienda Drive
establishing ADT limits as a condition of approval is a reasonable approach.
Suite 550
Pleasanton, CA
94SM2798
Please contact me if there are questions on this matter.
925.463.0611
925.463.3690 fax
Very truly yours,
Fresno
516 W. Shaw Avenue 1
Suite 20D
Fresno.
93704 -2515
559.325.7530 30
559.221.4940 fax E
-
Sacrmento i
Chris D. Kinzel, P.E.
980 Ninth Street
j
Vice President
6 Floor
m o CA
Sacraent, U
r
958142736
916.449.9095 j
San, Rosa
1400 N. Dutton Avenue {
suite 21
San, Rosa, CA
95401-4643
707.575.5800
707.575.5888 fax
ykm @cjkm.tom j
ATTACHMENT 2 &
ww ,jkmcom
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Left Blank
Currently, the Hillbrook CUP has no daily traffic limit. The Planning Commission has recommended a
full day limit, and all parties agree that a full day traffic limit is desirable in a modified CUP.
The attached table provides some contrasting historical full day counts that may help the Council in
deciding on what the limit should be and whether or not it'should be a daily limit or an average limit.
Here is a brief description of the counts:
• A count taken at Marchmont Drive east of Hilow Road. This count was taken by Multitrans as
requested by the Hillbrook School in year 2000. School officials often erroneously claim the
count was taken at the Hillbrook gate.
• A series of counts taken by Lucille Weidman for Art and Elaine Myers in the 2001 /2 time
frame. These are video counts reported in 15- minute intervals in past letters sent to the PC.
Elaine.continues to reside at her home at the school gate.
• No counts could be found for years from 2002 until 2011.
• Four full day counts taken by TJKM in May of 2011. The 880 count average is generally used
to represent a ne in_ m= benchmark for Hillbrook traffic.
• Six full day video counts taken by a Campbell traffic engineer engaged by the CATS
neighborhood group. These counts were reported in 15- minute intervals to the CATS group.
• Four counts taken by TJKM in March of 2013. The 814 average of these counts indicate a
reduction in traffic over the 880 average of May 2011 resulting from the "pilot program"
Hillbrook TDM plan implementation.
• A series of visual counts by Marchmont neighbors taken at the Hillbrook gate from March of
2013 until May of 2014.
• A tube count taken on Marchmont Drive east of Hilow and a Sensys count taken at the
Hillbrook gate, both on May 17, 2014. The difference indicates neighborhood traffic on
Marchmont between the Hilow intersection and the school may typically be around 250 for a
full 24 hour day.
ATTACHMENT 27
Joe Sordi Sr
212 Marchmont Drive
Los Gatos, Ca 95032
Los Gatos Town Council
January 5, 2015
110 East Main Street
RECEIVED
Los Gatos, California 95030
Subject: Table of Hillbrook Traffic Counts
JAN —"b 2015
Dear Mayor and Town Council Members:
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING DNISION
Currently, the Hillbrook CUP has no daily traffic limit. The Planning Commission has recommended a
full day limit, and all parties agree that a full day traffic limit is desirable in a modified CUP.
The attached table provides some contrasting historical full day counts that may help the Council in
deciding on what the limit should be and whether or not it'should be a daily limit or an average limit.
Here is a brief description of the counts:
• A count taken at Marchmont Drive east of Hilow Road. This count was taken by Multitrans as
requested by the Hillbrook School in year 2000. School officials often erroneously claim the
count was taken at the Hillbrook gate.
• A series of counts taken by Lucille Weidman for Art and Elaine Myers in the 2001 /2 time
frame. These are video counts reported in 15- minute intervals in past letters sent to the PC.
Elaine.continues to reside at her home at the school gate.
• No counts could be found for years from 2002 until 2011.
• Four full day counts taken by TJKM in May of 2011. The 880 count average is generally used
to represent a ne in_ m= benchmark for Hillbrook traffic.
• Six full day video counts taken by a Campbell traffic engineer engaged by the CATS
neighborhood group. These counts were reported in 15- minute intervals to the CATS group.
• Four counts taken by TJKM in March of 2013. The 814 average of these counts indicate a
reduction in traffic over the 880 average of May 2011 resulting from the "pilot program"
Hillbrook TDM plan implementation.
• A series of visual counts by Marchmont neighbors taken at the Hillbrook gate from March of
2013 until May of 2014.
• A tube count taken on Marchmont Drive east of Hilow and a Sensys count taken at the
Hillbrook gate, both on May 17, 2014. The difference indicates neighborhood traffic on
Marchmont between the Hilow intersection and the school may typically be around 250 for a
full 24 hour day.
ATTACHMENT 27
Historical Daily Counts
Date
In/Out
Total
Taken By
2000
512/521
1410
1033
02/13/01
04/03/01
258/202
569/452
613/487
466
1021
1100
04/04/01
04/05/01
04/06/01
492/492
984
04/16/01
469/468
937
04/17/01
503/502
488/489
1005
977
04/18/01
04/19/01
255/204
482/453
524/502
483/473
459/465
469/464
426/435
395/405
459
935
1016
956
924
933
861
800
2011 TJKM Traffic Study
At gate
04/20/01
06/05/02
06/06/02
05/18/11
05/19/11
05/23/11
05/24/11
03/06/12
484/486
561/552
533/537
970
1113
1070
03/07/12
05/14/12
05/15/12
489/492
981
05/16/12
501 /500
401/473
1001
874
03/18/13
03/19/13
409/422
831
At gate
03/21/13
371/375
746
03/22/13
90/414
450/467
474/478
431/436
804
917
952
967
03/29/13
04/22/13
11/09/13
12/16/13
428/428
856
01/09/14
473/445
918
E05/O6/14 14
439/449
888
390/384
774
05/13/14
-- -- —
.467/460
927
11/17/14
--
— - --
890
- – -- --
Tube' Count just east of Hlow
11/17/14
1
674 _
JSensys Count at the gate
Meyer counts were taken from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Video counts.
2011 and 2013 traffic study counts were taken for full 24 hrs. Tube counts.
2012 Campbell Traffic Engineer counts were taken from 6 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Video counts.
Neighbors counts were taken from 7 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Visual counts.
Two 11/17/14 counts were taken, one a tube count on Marchmont just east of Hilow, the other the
Sensys count at the gate. Both between 7 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
I
Los Gatos Town Council
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, California 95030
Subject: Hillbrook CUP Modifications
Dear Mayor and Town Council Members:
Joe Sordi Sr
212 Marchmont Drive
Los Gatos, Ca 95032
January 5, 2015
RECEIVED
JAN -.5 2015
TOVM OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING DIVISION
The following contains material relevant to the formulation of a new Hillbrook CUP.
I took the liberty of adding some draft conditions based upon the material. I hope you will find them at
least somewhat useful.
Regular School Year Traffic Limits
The Planning Commission is recommending a daily traffic limit of 880.
Hilibrook is proposing an average daily traffic (ADT) limit of 880, with the average to be taken over
each trimester. The school maintains that by doing so, it adhering to its promise to not increase traffic
with an increase in enrollment.
The neighborhood CATS group is proposing a daily limit of 781, based on an ITE (Institute of Traffic
Engineers) rate of 2.48 and an enrollment limit of 315 (2.48 x 315 = 20. Using the ITE rate for an
enrollment limit of 414, the traffic limit would be = (2.48x414). Note that the ITE trip generation
rate of 2.48 is derived using only 2 studies of K -12 (not PK -8) private schools and comes with the
warning, "Use carefully, small sample size ". Also, it appears the ITE rate applies to an ADT limit, not a
single day limit.
If the enrollment limit is to be raised to 414 as recommended by the PC, then the 880 limit should be
used instead of the higher 1027 limit so that there be no increase in traffic.
If an ADT limit is used, it should be the historical ADT of 880.
If a daily limit is used, ifs not logical to use the 880 average as the daily limit. Two of the counts from
which the 880 average was taken actually exceed the limit (224, gn 861, and 800). The fact that the
low 800 count varies 80 below the 880 average portends the possibility that a high count could vary 80
above to a high of 960. Even with a 960 limit, there are likely to be random days when the school
exceeds the limit.
Note: The TIRE index has no significance whatsoever in determining what the traffic limit should be.
First, the TIRE index uses an average daily,traffic volume as stated on page 4.3 -38 of the DEIR. Thus,
an ADT limit of 880 at the Hillbrook gate doesn't reach the 3.0 index level and does not exhibit "a
significantly impacted residential environment ". Second, a TIRE index of 3.0 or higher does =t mean
a traffic limit should be established such that the index is 2.9 or lower. If that were so, my project with
a TIRE index higher than 3.0 with traffic volumes as high as 8901 would require a limit of 890 or
lower.
The sole P=ose of the TIRE index is to determine if the projected difference between pre - and post -
project traffic is 0.1 or higher and would thus have a noticeable effect on a residential environment.
Summer Session Traffic J,imi t
The MIlbrook School has proposed a 440 ADT summer traffic limit (half of the trimester limit of 880).
If there is to be a 440 summer limit, then it should be a dAUX limit because 1) There are many days
during the summer when there are no "camps" and therefore no student traffic. An average taken using
zero count days would be meaningless. 2) Long time Marchmont neighbors know that normal
Hillbrook summer traffic is va lower than 440, even on a daily basis. Hillbrook would have no
problem at all meeting a daily limit of 440.
The Hillbrook promise not to increase traffic should apply to summer sessions as well, but a 440 ADT
limit would give Hillbrook the potential to greatly increase summer traffic. During past summers,
Hillbrook has conducted camps only during a 6 to 8 week interval. That part of the summers when
camps were not held could see a daily increase of student traffic starting from ire g. During the 6 to 8
weeks when camps were held, enrollment had typically been 60 or fewer. A trip rate as high as 3.0
would mean that summer traffic during those weeks was around 180. If traffic is not to increase during
the summer, than a condition that allows campers only during one contiguous period of 8 weeks and a
daily traffic limit of 250 is entirely reasonable.
Hillbrook has Sensys counts taken daily during the summers of 2013 and2014. If the school would
release those counts, the Town Council would have more then adequate data to formulate a summer
traffic limit based on actual historical counts.
Neighborhood Participation
The Hillbrook TDM has outlined a Neighborhood Communications Program (see page 16 of the TDM)
in which a separate page on the Hillbrook website is recommended for neighborhood communication.
Since the TDM is (or should be) a dynamic document, and since neighborhood communications can be
complicated and vary over time, the TDM could be used to provide a detailed definition of
neighborhood communications instead of the CUP.
Form and Content of Tra ffic R Forts
The form and contents of reports generated by the third party counter are considerably varied and
provide a number of different options how counts should be reported and retained by the town.
Use of the Ann Arbor ate
The Ann Arbor gate should be opened to share some of the traffic burden with Marchmont Drive.
Opening the entrance lane one hour in the morning and the exit lane 2 hours in the afternoon would
provide very limited access through the Ann Arbor gate for Hillbrook staff only.
Draft Conditions
1.Traffic limit of 880 averaged over each trimester.
a.Daily counts lower than 780 shall be excluded from computation of average.
(Hillbrook has numerous days when classes are not in full session on campus. Other events, such as
"Grandparents Day" result in abnormally low daily counts).
b.Three highest daily counts each trimester excluded from computation of average.
(Allows for invitationals or special events)
c. No day shall exceed 1150.
Penalties — For first 5 count over, the cost of one enrollment. For each succeeding 5 count over,
the cost of 2 enrollments. For each count over 1150, a $5000 fine.
Alternative -
1.Daiiy traffic limit of 960. On three highest days each trimester, the limit is 1150 instead of 960.
(For invitationals and special events)
Penalties — First 3 days over during each trimester are "forgiven ". For 4 to 8 trimester
violations, the cost of one enrollment. For each 5 increment thereafter, the cost of 2 enrollments.
2.During summer sessions, daily traffic limit of 440.
Penalty — For each 5 over, $10,000 fine.
(Unlike trimester sessions, historical summer traffic is far below 440. Therefore, no averaging and no
"forgiven" days).
2.Alternative 1 -
Summer sessions shall be limited to one contiguous 8 week period. No campers or students shall
be allowed on campus outside the 8 week period. There shall be a daily traffic limit of 250.
Penalty — For each 5 over, $10,000 fine.
(Based upon the observations of long time Marchmont residents, Hillbrook can easily meet a summer
daily traffic limit of 250. This condition could be imposed in lieu of Hillbrook releasing summer
counts from 2013 and 2014).
2.Alternative 2 - Use of daily Sensys counts taken during the summer of 2013 and 2014 are used
as the basis for an defining summer session traffic limits and penalties.
3.No parking or dropping off of students on neighborhood streets. No deliberate corruption of
the counting devices. Counts demonstrated to be corrupted shall be excluded.
4.A counter at the Hillbrook gate on Marchmont Drive shall provide daily counts. A back up
tube count shall be taken each day for use in case of planned and unplanned primary counter
outages. Tube counts shall not be recorded unless used in lieu of primary counter.
S.Total in/out counts and counter status shall be published daily on a Hillbrook webpage devoted
to addressing transportation concerns, providing a representative for neighbors to contact, and
establishing a forum for neighborhood meetings.
(There must be full disclosure of traffic counts and counter status on a daily basis. This condition
conforms to the recommendation given on page 16 of the Hillbrook TDM and should be conducted
according to the Program Design specification on page 16. The TDM should be mod{fied to full
detail this condition).
6. Staff shall prepare a report at the end of each trimester and summer session that contains all
daily counts, the average of such counts, and all irregularities and anomalies in the counts.
(tails of this repor
file). t must be defined at a later date. The report shall be accessible to all in Hillbrook
7.At the end of each trimester and summer session, staff shall determine penalties to be assessed.
8.Enrollment of up to 414 during the regular school year and 212 during the summer session.
Only students fully enrolled at the beginning of each school year are allowed to attend classes on
the Hillbrook campus. Only students fully enrolled before summer sessions begin are allowed on
campus during the summer.
(Enrollment is essentially restricted by traffic limits; however, there shall never be higher than 414
enrolhnent during the regular school year and 212 during the summer session).
9.There shall be no third party use, lease, or rental of the Hillbrook campus. There shall be no
educational classes or summer camps conducted by third party entities on the Hillbrook campus.
10.On weekends during each trimester, the Hillbrook campus shall be open only to fully enrolled
Hillbrook students except for the yearly open house event. On summer weekends, the Hillbrook
campus shall be closed to all student activities.
11.The Hillbrook TDM shall be modified to require mandatory carpooling and/or busing.
(During the Planning Commission hearing, Chuck Hammers promised mandatory participation by
parents in either carpooling or busing and that parents would be given warning and possibly cited for
violations).
12.The approved use of the Hillbrook campus is as a JK through 81' grade private school.
a.All student events on- campus shall be exclusively for JK through 8`h grade students.
b.Meetings and professional development classes held on the Hillbrook campus may be attended
only by Hillbrook staff or by parents or guardians of Hillbrook enrolled students.
c.Childcare for siblings of enrolled students is allowed.
d.Exception to the above shall be allowed for one open house event per school year.
13.Hillbrook staff shall use the Ann Arbor gate during the regular school year. The gate shall be
opened from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 2:30 to 4:30. Exceptions allowed for individual staff with
irregular hours.
14.A one year review shall take place whereby summer traffic limits, TDM updates, and traffic
reports are fully defined and any final modification made to the CUP.
0
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Jennifer Savaae
From: Bill Wagner <wjwagner3 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 12:30 PM
To: Jennifer Savage
Subject: Fw: Meeting with Mayor Jensen
- -- On Thu, 1/8/15, Bill Wagner < > wrote:
> From: Bill Wagner <wjwagner3(cDvahoo.com>
> Subject: Fw: Meeting with Mayor Jensen
• To: i!iavage@losgatos.gov
• Date: Thursday, January 8, 2015, 12:27 PM
> - -- > > > > > Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2015,
> 5:51 PM
» >DEAR MS. SAVAGE
> Please include the attached material in the Packet for Hillbrook
> School meeting scheduled forJan.13,2015.
> Thank you,
> >> My concerns with safety in a residential
> neighborhood,
> > > besides the amount of traffic
> > > that Hillbrook continues to generate is the type
> of
> > > traffic.
> > > I had seen on a Saturday late Oct. or early Nov.
>a
> > Semi -Food
> > > Truck delivery driving
> > > up Marchmont mid -day. This is a vehicle that
> should
> > > never be travelling on a residential street.
> > > Also Friday Nov.21st @ 12noon there was a huge
> > chartered
> > > bus, like the ones you see
> > > for tour busses driving up Hilow onto the single
> lane
» road
> > > and turning up Marchmont
> > > towards the school that I had to follow through
> the
»> single lane road.
> > > That seems extremely unsafe with all the strollers
> and
> > dog
> > > walkers who use that area
> > > and would never be expecting such a vehicle.
> Also I
> > > question if that single lane portion is even legal for a bus of
> > >that size.
> > > With increased junior high enrollment will
> > neighbors
>> > be put at risk with buses like that being
> > > more frequent for added field trips?
> > > The justification for increased enrollment based
> on the
> > fact
> > > that it is unsustainable for Hillbrook
> > > to bear the expense of hiring a Mandarin
> language
> > teacher
> > > for only two students is not a burden
> > > the neighborhood should have to support.
> That
> > > is an issue of business management to make the Private school
> > > equally competitive with
> what
> > other
> > > larger private schools offer.
> > > In the final analysis the school is a business.
> They
> > don't
> > > have to produce bodies to justify that
> > > expense.
> > > When my daughter took AP Classical Spanish I hired
>a
> > > tutor. Hillbrook can produce a referral
> > > list of qualified private tutors for special
> > interests,
> > > such as Mandarin. When she wanted special Art I hired a Tutor who
> > > lived on Littlefield Lane,
> all
> > local
> > > special interest.
> > > All student special interests can be
> accommodated
>> > without increasing enrollment.
> > > The neighborhood should not have to bear the noise
> and
> > > traffic of added junior high sports either.
> > > When our children did not have a pool at their
> school
>> we
2
> > > joined a swim club, like wise with a volleyball club. Hillbrook
> > > can encourage joining club
> sports,
> > they
> > > don't have to create them.
> > > Also when we attended sports events at other
> resident
> > > surrounded neighborhoods, such as Sacred Heart or Castilleja,
> > > those schools had
> complete
> > > access on all four sides, with several parking lots. There is no
> > > comparison to the
> > environmental
> > > and access situation that exists
> > > for Hillbrook.
> > > Today from 2:40 on there was significant traffic
> going
> > up
> > > Hilow towards Marchmont as if
> > > nothing has changed.
> > > Like the front page of Los Gatos Weekly picture
> showed
> > "This
> > > is a Town not a City ",
> > > This is a "Neighborhood not a Business Access ".
> > > Thank you for your time.
> > > Bill and Debora Wagner
3
Jennifer Savage
To: Janette Judd; sureshO @gmail.com
Subject: RE: Hillbrook School
From: Suresh Padmanabhan rmailto:sureshO@cimail.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 2:07 PM
To: Council
Subject: Hillbrook School
Mayor Jensen and Members of the Town Council,
As a parent of a child attending Hillbrook, I sincerely request and implore you to reconsider your 880 CAP limit for cars coming in/out of
Hillbrook. I can absolutely assure you that the school is very much thankful and does its utmost to care for the community around the school
premises. Parents and students are constantly and strongly encouraged to walk, bike bus or car -pool to school and back.
We live in San Jose and also car -pool to school with other families to do what we can for the neighborhood.
Respectfully,
Suresh Padmanabhan
Jennifer Savage
From:
Allison Railo <alison @railo.org>
Sent:
Thursday, January 08, 2015 5:06 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Los Gatos Resident In Support of Hillbrook School
Mayor Jensen and Members of the Town Council,
I am a Los Gatos resident and I support Hillbrook School. We moved here because of Hillbrook School and we
strongly support school choice. We are committed to reducing traffic by walking, biking, taking the shuttle and
carpooling to campus. I personally ride my bike if I have a meeting on campus during the day, rather than take
my car. We believe the school and its families care about our community and will continue the effort to reduce
traffic around Los Gatos.
I am very concerned about the arbitrary and unfounded decision to cap our traffic and encourage you to review
the data that supports an average car count rather than a cap. The Hillbrook community is conscientious and
aware of the concerns of the neighbors and will continue to utilize alternative methods for getting out kids to
school. Please do not hinder us from participating in our children's lives at school and allow our leaders to
govern the school in the best way possible, for all concerned. Please support Hillbrook's application to increase
enrollment and trust the school leaders to make it the best school, and neighbor, it can be while minimizing the
impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
With many thanks for your service,
Allison Railo
178 Loma Alta Ave.
Los Gatos, 95030
Jennifer Savage
From:
Biz Eischen <biz_eischen @yahoo.com>
Sent:
Thursday, January 08, 2015 6:55 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Hillbrook School: Vote to approve modulated expansion
Honorable Mayor Jensen and members of the Los Gatos Town Council:
My family resides in Los Gatos, close to Hillbrook School. My son is a graduate of Hillbrook School as are dozens other
young people in the neighborhood. (Well, some not so young (one man is a grandpa) as Hillbrook has been around for
more than 75 years!)
I urge you to allow Hillbrook School to increase enrollment without undue stipulations. Please approve a new CUP and let
Hillbrook administrators, teachers and parents return their attention to the students and fulfill their mission of delivering a
quality educational experience.
1) Hillbrook offers an established JK -8 education option to the Los Gatos community. Parents make better decisions
when given choices to compare attributes.
2) Hillbrook offsets overcrowding and congestion at local elementary and middle schools. Lifting enrollment quotas
would enable Hillbrook to relieve overcrowding even more.
3) Hillbrook students are consistent top performers. Los Gatos High School actively courts Hillbrook graduates; knowing
more than 40% of Hillbrook families live in the district and entrenched in the community. For 2014, LGHS reported the
highest percentage ever of entering freshman were from independent schools, including Hillbrook grads who could have
gone to any independent high school in the south bay, but chose to stay "home ".
When selecting a school, we were so fortunate to have the option of attending Hillbrook as well as other independent
schools in the Los Gatos area. We were pleased that many Hillbrook students live nearby in Los Gatos, making it easy for
students and families to make friends in the neighborhood and enjoy the community. However, we wished there were
were a few more students per grade for a "critical mass" of students needed for a game of soccer at lunch or other school
activities; especially intramural teams, a band, choir, football, or a full theatrical production.Fortunately, Hillbrook offers a
fantastic after school care program and a variety of excellent enrichment classes that nearly half the school population
participates in.
Please consider Hillbrook's historic past, present contributions and future potential as you make your decision. I have
voted for you and surely hope your vote for Hillbrook is YEA.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Biz Eischen
16526 Shady View Lane
Los Gatos
Jennifer Savage
From:
Marianna Samson <marisamson @yahoo.com>
Sent:
Thursday, January 08, 2015 7:58 PM
To:
Council
Subject:
Hillbrook School student expansion
Dear Mayor Jensen and Members of the Town Council of Los Gatos,
I am writing in support of Hillbrook School's request to add 99 students to
expand the Middle School. My two children are alumni of Hillbrook; our family spent
a total of 14 years at the school. During those years my children learned basic skills and
enriching talents, as well as how to be good citizens. Currently, they are both in
college. Whenever I receive feedback about my children, it always involves positive
comments about how kind and considerate they are, in addition to how well they are
educated. I believe Hillbrook School helped teach them to be considerate of others, how
to handle responsibilities, and how to make the world a better place. Hillbrook School is
a tremendous asset to our local community. Los Gatos is a growing town and could use
more educational space for the new families moving into the area, especially because it
has only one middle school. These additional 99 spaces at Hillbrook could help ease that
need. In addition, evening, weekend, and summer use of the school facilities would
allow enrichment activities for Los Gatos families.
Our family attended Hillbrook School during the time the city asked the school to reduce
its traffic to relieve the neighborhood of congestion. It wasn't easy, but we all learned
to carpool and use the school bus. Even though the school was there long before the
neighboring homes, we attendees respected the wishes of the neighborhood. I believe
the additional families will do the same, as consideration of others, is a major value
taught at the school, rendering the additional students' impact neutral on the
neighborhood.
I live in a neighborhood where traffic to and from a public school impacts my street
significantly, so I can relate well to the Marchmont neighbors. However, my family has
adapted to the annoying daily congestion since the demise of the public school bus. We
moved into the neighborhood after the school was built and understand the importance
of parents to get their kids to school on time as they drive on to work. I mention this
because I want to emphasize my support for Hillbrook School's request to increase it's
student population. I believe these students will have a neutral effect on the local traffic
congestion, but in the long run, these students may leave a greater lasting impact on
the larger community from the quality education they will receive at Hillbrook.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of Hillbrook School's request.
Sincerely, Marianna Samson
former Parent Council president and board member
Jennifer Savage
From: lani sutherland <lanisutherland @yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 8:33 AM
To: Council
Subject: I support Hillbrook School's program expansion
As a 30+ year resident of Los Gatos, I am writing in support of Hillbrook School's plan of slight
expansion in enrollment. The school has a long and excellent history of private education in what was
once a remote part of East Los Gatos. Of course, since it's beginning, homes have closed in on the
school property and many neighbor's can be seen visiting, walking their dogs, etc. on the school
grounds, especially on weekends. My children attended the school from 1997- 2005 and at no time
did I witness confrontations with neighbors and school traffic. Today, most students arrive by
Hillbrook's bussing system. It is understandable why neighbors would like the school to be smaller
and perhaps go away entirely. But this would be a disservice to the Los Gatos and surrounding
communities as a whole. I believe the neighbors see a slight opening to perhaps change the value of
their homes by leveraging pressure and are trying to take advantage of it. This is about politics, not
actual danger, noise increases or anything else. I trust you will make the right decision.
Lani Sutherland
105 Laurel Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 406 -3252
Jennifer
From: jamie weiss <jamieweiss7 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2015 9:21 PM
To: Council
Subject: HILLBROOK SCHOOL
To Mayor Jensen and Members of the Town Council,
I am a resident of Los Gatos and both of my children attended Hillbrook from preschool through 8th
grade. They received an excellent education while attending Hillbrook and went on to attend
Prestigious high schools and universities. They always credit their academic success from having an
awesome foundation and academic success from attending Hillbrook. I strongly encourage you to
support Hillbrook in their desire to increase the student body by 99 students. I know how important
this is to maintain this high standard, private school and to continue its legacy as a forerunner of
private education since its inception in the early 1940'S. Many in the Los Gatos are proud to offer this
high standard of excellence for families that desire it -A beautiful campus and top notch faculty and
leadership.
Respectfully yours,
Jamie Weiss
Jennifer Savage
From:
Kim O'Keefe Beck <kokeefebeck @gmail.com>
Sent:
Friday, January 09, 2015 10:36 AM
To:
Marcia Jensen; BSpector, Steven Leonardis; Marico Sayoc; Rob Rennie; Jennifer Savage
Subject:
Hillbrook School
January 6, 2015
Dear Mayor Jensen and Members of the Town Council,
The Planning Commission approved Hillbrook's request for an additional 99 students over the next 3 years with
our pledge and obligation of doing so with no additional traffic. Independent Environmental- and traffic
analyses by the Town of Los Gatos concluded that Hillbrook's proposal would not result in any significant
traffic safely impacts. As a parent with two 3rd graders I am relieved that we will be able expand the middle
school to a size appropriate for the social and academic development of adolescents. It allows us to have
enough athletes for team sports and infuses our community with the energy of new students and families. I am
however, concerned about the imposition of the 880 vehicle maximum daily cap that replaces the previously
suggested 880 average daily average based on the 2011 Town of Los Gatos traffic study. That study used
average versus maximum daily vehicle trips because it is the industry's standard measure. This is true
nationally, throughout the State of California and by the Town of Los Gatos itself. Imposing a completely
different standard just for our school feels oddly prejudicial and is hard to explain to our children and families.
Hillbrook already operates under one of the most stringent traffic plans ever required by Los Gatos. To further
restrict our access to campus compromises our ability to operate fully as a school, and jeopardizes our ability to
maintain co- curricular activities and parent involvement with our children's education.
We care about our Los Gatos home and have tried our hardest to address the concerns of neighbors. We have
shown our commitment to both them and the environment with our innovative walk, bike, carpool, and shuttle
systems. Visit our school during drop off and pick up and see just how little traffic we generate compared to the
lines of cars seen outside the other local schools at these times. Our comprehensive alternative transportation
plan is successful and we'd love to share our model with the community at large.
Hillbrook has been part of the Los Gatos community for 79 years. We have honored our Conditional Use
Permit by maintaining a cap of 315 students for the last 28 of those years. This, while neighboring schools have
grown from 23 -48% in the last 5 years alone! The town is growing and Los Gatos Schools are
overcapacity. We have empty seats that can be filled without additional construction and we are ready to
welcome new students. We request that the Town Council uphold Hillbrook's appeal, overturn the Planning
Commission decision, and convert the vehicle maximum cap to an 880 average daily count. Thank you very
much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kim O'Keefe Beck
19905 Sunset Drive
Saratoga, CA 95070
408 - 827 -4742