Staff Report
PREPARED BY: Matt Morley
Parks and Public Works Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Attorney.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 406-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/17/2019
ITEM NO: 19
DATE: December 11, 2019
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report – “Parking Roadmap” and
Provide Direction for Next Steps
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report- “Parking Roadmap” (Attachment 1) and
provide direction for next steps.
BACKGROUND:
On March 19, 2019 the Town Council approved an agreement with Dixon Resources Unlimited
(DIXON) for a Comprehensive Downtown Parking Study. The study scope includes a full review
of existing conditions, past parking discussions and policies, outreach to stakeholders, data
collection and analysis, and suggested strategies for managing parking in the future.
At the August 20, 2019 Town Council meeting, the Council received an update on the progress
of the Study and provided additional input on areas of interest. These have been grouped into
several categories:
• Provide for and Manage Employee Parking
• Review Neighborhood Permit Program
• Identify High School Parking Impacts on the Town
• Provide information on Transportation Demand Management Opportunities Like
Shuttles
• Explore Public-Private Shared Parking
• Identify the Parking Supply and Deficiencies
• Recommend Ways to Efficiently Utilize Existing Supply
• Include Outreach in Residential and Business Areas
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: Receive the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report – “Parking Roadmap”
and Provide Direction for Next Steps
DATE: December 11, 2019
DISCUSSION:
The results of the Parking Study have been provided in a document titled “Parking Roadmap”
(Attachment 1). This document and the appendices are available on the Town’s website at:
https://www.losgatosca.gov/2509/Downtown-Parking. The Study provides a series of
recommendations to guide the Town towards effectively managing parking supply. The
implementation of these recommendations is set up over several years to allow for
demonstrated effectiveness in early implementations prior to embarking on subsequent
efforts. Through review of the Study results, the Council should provide guidance to staff on
which recommendations to pursue, the elements which need more information, and the
elements to leave out of the program. Staff will use this guidance and return to the Council
with plans for future implementation of each recommendation.
As reflected in the report provided to the Town Council on August 20, 2019, stakeholder
outreach has been a significant part of this Study. In addition to all of the outreach highlighted
in that report, the Study has included follow up with the Chamber of Commerce and the
Transportation and Parking Commission on preliminary review of recommendations. In
addition, a follow up survey was distributed . The goal of this survey was to gain insight on the
recommendations and provide additional notification to residents. With that in mind, the
survey link was distributed to every residential parking permit holder via email to ensure broad
outreach to impacted residents. The survey will close on December 12 and results will be
provided as an addendum to this report.
The Parking Roadmap highlights opportunities for adjustment in several areas in a phased
sequence over several years. Some of these are highlighted below, with more in-depth
discussion contained in the report.
Managing Demand - Through extensive data collection, it became apparent that parking supply
often exists in downtown, even in the busiest of times. The recommendations from the
Parking Roadmap highlight strategies for actively managing the demand. Solutions include
ensuring downtown employees have designated spaces for parking and encouraging use of
those spaces. A “Park Once” mantra can grow from this recommendation, for employees and
visitors alike, ultimately leading to a no re-parking regulation to provide support to the goal.
Within a second phase, a paid parking model that supports shorter visits and allows longer
stays through “pay to stay” pricing will also aid in effectively managing demand.
Based on the data, the Parking Roadmap leaves consideration of a parking garage for later
phases and future evaluation. Most importantly, ensuring that vehicles can find a garage and
that those spaces can be effectively managed are key first steps. In addition, the expense of a
garage makes effective use of existing supply through wayfinding, public-private partnerships,
etc., a more pressing and fiscally responsible direction.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: Receive the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report – “Parking Roadmap”
and Provide Direction for Next Steps
DATE: December 11, 2019
DISCUSSION (continued):
Resident Area Parking - The data collection also identified underutilized spaces throughout the
downtown. This includes spaces in private parking lots and in residential areas where permits
are issued. Allowing for a limited number of Downtown employees to park by permit in
residential areas could take advantage of underutilized capacity. The Parking Roadmap also
calls for re-establishing the petitioning process for new residential permit zones.
Enforcement – The Town has implemented automated License Plate Recognition (LPR) that
allows for efficiently enforcing all aspects of the parking program for both existing and future
features, including permit parking, time limits, and paid parking. The key to enforcement is
ensuring ongoing consistency to achieve compliance without being too heavy handed. This
may include the use of warnings to address education and understanding of the rules
proactively. Warnings as well as citations can be tracked to ensure repeat offender issues are
addressed. Current limited staffing levels in parking enforcement combined with ancillary
duties assigned to staff can lead to inconsistent enforcement which can be confusing to end
users.
Wayfinding – Branding and getting visitors to vacant spaces may be the single most effective
means of better utilization of current spaces. Utilizing technology to point to vacant parking
spaces can reduce the stress of parking and improve traffic by reducing the number of cars
browsing for spaces. Parking guidance can be implemented in a way that takes advantage of a
customized look and feel for Los Gatos, avoiding signage that is utilitarian and unattractive.
Transportation Demand Management – Providing opportunities for local visitors to enjoy the
downtown without driving may provide additional capacity. Ideas include providing for a local
shuttle, improved bicycle facilities, and the consideration of shared mobility devices.
CONCLUSION:
The Parking Study has resulted in the identification of a number of areas where the Town can
effectively manage parking and thereby increase the effective supply and enhance the user
experience. These are not one-time efforts, but rather ongoing programs that require
resources by way of staffing and capital projects. Implementation will take a number of years,
as highlighted in the Roadmap, with constant adjustments to align with lessons learned at each
stage.
The Council may wish to provide direction to staff on the areas of the report where there is the
greatest interest and which areas not to pursue. Attachment 2 portrays all of the
recommendations in progressive order on one graphic.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: Receive the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report – “Parking Roadmap”
and Provide Direction for Next Steps
DATE: December 11, 2019
CONCLUSION (continued):
As each stop on the Parking Roadmap moves forward, the Council, businesses, and residents
will have the opportunity to review that topic, provide feedback, and shape it to the needs of
the Town.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this report. Based on Town Council input, staff will
develop future budget proposals to advance implementation of goals identified through the
Parking Roadmap. Through the typical budget process, funding would be available in July and
would allow for work to begin later next fiscal year. Depending on the amount and complexity
of work that the Council desires to pursue, an early step may be the addition of a staff position
to lead this effort.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Comprehensive Downtown Parking Report- “Parking Roadmap”
2. Parking Roadmap Graphic