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22 Staff Report - Approve Downtown Beautification PlanDATE: TO: MEETING DATE: 2/7/00 ITEM NO. COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA REPORT FEBRUARY I, 2000 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FROM: TOWN MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN, A. PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING THE ENGINEERING AND FINAL DESIGNS OF IMPROVEMENTS ALONG SANTA CRUZ AVENUE AT BACHMAN AVENUE, GRAYS LANE, WEST MAIN STREET B. APPROVE FINAL DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR BACHMAN AVENUE - ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 - FIGURE 3, GRAYS LANE - ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 - FIGURE 8, WEST MAIN STREET AT PLAZA PARK - ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 - FIGURE 12 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Provide direction to staff regarding the engineering and final designs of improvements along Santa Cruz Avenue at Bachman Avenue, Grays Lane, West Main Street. 2. Approve final design concepts for Bachman Avenue - Engineer's Design # I - Figure 3,Grays Lane - Engineer's Design #1 - Figure 8, West Main Street at Plaza Park - Engineer's Design #1 - Figure 12. BACKGROUND: Town Council approved a master plan for Santa Cruz Avenue through the downtown area from the State Route 17 ramp to Bachman Avenue and included improvement projects for Santa Cruz Avenue at Bachman, Grays Lane and Plaza Park within the current Capital Improvement Program. The Plaza Park Improvement Project was moved up in the schedule to be completed within the FY 2000/2001 CIP. The approved master plan was prepared by Paul Rodrigues with input from Town staff. DISCUSSION: During the preparation of the final engineering design and the construction documents, Town and Willdan engineering staff found several areas within the master plan that were either vague regarding specific design requirements or could be dramatically improved with a design revision. Staff was requested to bring these items before Council as they either require interpretation of the master plan's intent or require a revision of the approved master plan. There are 8-1/2 X 1 1 attachments showing plan views of all of the options attached to this report as well as Engineering estimates showing the difference in costs between options. We have had the Town Traffic Engineer, Gary Kruger, review all options and recommend the options that are preferred alternates from a traffic operations and safety perspective. PREPARED BY: SCOTT D. ALMAN G PAUL L. CURTIS Interim Director of P. rks and Public Works Planning Director/Deputy Director Reviewed by: QV, -Attorney Revised: 2/ 1 /00 10:27 AM Reformatted: 7/14/99 N:\B&E\CNCLRPTSISCRUZ. W PD PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION: (Cont.) SANTA CRUZ AVENUE AT BACHMAN AVENUE The current configuration of the S. Santa Cruz Avenue / Bachman Avenue intersection is confusing to motorists primarily due to the misalignment of the centerlines of the two legs of Bachman Avenue. The crosswalks on S. Santa Cruz Avenue are currently 102 feet apart while the crosswalks on Bachman Avenue are 46 feet apart. This elongated intersection creates confusion about which motorist has the right-of-way and also causes many motorists to not see pedestrians that enter the crosswalks. Also, this intersection is possibly going to become a four-way stop so that "cut - through" traffic in the downtown area will be minimized. The current configuration would not accommodate a four-way stop due to the elongation of the intersection. Motorists would be confused about who reached the stop line first, which would cause unnecessary delays and a long backup into Highway 9 to the north of the intersection. The drainage at this intersection is also a problem that needs to be addressed. A conceptual design for the S. Santa Cruz / Bachman intersection was approved by Town Council - (Figure # 15). The design, which was drawn by landscape architect Paul Rodrigues, proposed that the sidewalk be extended into the street at all four corners of the intersection in order to shorten the distance that pedestrians would have to walk to cross the street. This proposal would shorten the crosswalks from a total of 210 feet for the four crosswalks to 146 feet, a reduction of 30 percent. However, the placement of the four crosswalks would remain where they currently exist. The distance between the crosswalks on S. Santa Cruz Avenue would remain the same at 102 feet. Although his design would shorten the distance that pedestrians must walk to cross the street, it would not increase the motorists' view of the crosswalks. His design also would not be conducive to a four-way stop due to the reasons stated in the previous paragraph. The design would also require the bus stop to be moved into the street, which would inevitably block traffic. The storm drain design for the location of storm drain catch basins does not take into account where the water will flow and does not take into account the amount of money it will cost for each of these catch basins and connecting pipes. The approved design does not fully address the safety and functionality of this intersection. The proposed options would greatly increase pedestrian safety and functionality, and would minimize material and construction costs of the drainage system in the area. The bus stop would also be able to remain in its current location. All of the new proposed options would include at least one traffic island/pedestrian refuge. This addition is necessary in order to move the northern crosswalk on S. Santa Cruz Avenue over 32 feet closer to the intersection, which would greatly increase motorists' visibility of each other and pedestrians. The number of lanes on Bachman Avenue entering the intersection varies with each design. Each design would be functional with or without a four-way stop. The existing configuration of the intersection is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 displays the adopted design approved by Council. Figures 3, 4, and 5 are the three options that the Town's Engineering Department has prepared. Distinctions between the various designs are listed below.. Please note that these designs only revise sidewalk, street, and striping alignments, not landscape design. S. SANTA CRUZ/BACHMAN INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS FIGURE 1: EXISTING CONFIGURATION 1) The crosswalks crossing on S. Santa Cruz Avenue are 102 feet apart. The crosswalks crossing Bachman Avenue are 46 feet apart. The total length of the four crosswalks is 210 feet • The intersection is elongated 2) Motorists may be confused about who has the right-of-way: PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION: (Cont.) 3) Motorists may not see pedestrians and other cars in and around the intersection due to there being outside the driver's peripheral vision. 4) Turning movements into and out of the driveway on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at the northeast corner of the intersection are confusing and potentially dangerous. 5) The intersection may become a four-way stop • Meant to reduce "cut -through" traffic in the downtown area • The current configuration is not conducive to a four-way stop • A long backup would be created as far as Highway 9 to the north 6) Drainage in and around the intersection is poor • Must be routed into the culvert to the north of the intersection 7) South Santa Cruz Avenue has a high centerline crown. • Reduces flow capacity of gutter • Concrete may be under the existing asphalt FIGURE 2: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S DESIGN - $204,302 1) The crosswalks on S. Santa Cruz Avenue would remain 102 feet apart. • The total length of the four crosswalks would be reduced from 210 feet to 146 feet • The intersection would remain elongated 2) All four corners of the intersection would be extended into the intersection (bulbouts). 3) One parking space would be lost. 4) The southbound bus stop would be relocated to the north of the southern crosswalk on S. Santa Cruz Avenue and out into the street. • The bus would block cars • The bus would obstruct motorists' view of pedestrians crossing the southern crosswalk on S. Santa Cruz Avenue 5) Turning movements into and out of the driveway on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at the northeast corner of the intersection would become more confusing due to the four-way stop. 6) The number and placement of storm drain catch basins is not cost-effective and does not address the direction of water flow. 7) Location of planter boxes on sidewalk would reduce sight distance at corners of intersection. • May increase likelihood of an accident occurring 8) The medians on Bachman Avenue would be painted. FIGURE 3: ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 - $205, 737 1) The crosswalks on S. Santa Cruz Avenue would be 40 feet apart (102' currently). The total length of the four crosswalks would be reduced from 210 feet to 132 feet, excluding the two 1 5-foot crosswalks The intersection would be more compact than existing. 2) Traffic island/pedestrian refuges would be installed at northwest and southeast corners. Northwest island is necessary in order to move crosswalk closer to intersection Certain turning movements into and out of the driveway on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at the northeast corner of the intersection would be prohibited to make intersection safer Islands would provide turning lanes from S. Santa Cruz Avenue onto Bachman Avenue 3) Bachman Avenue would have one lane approaching the intersection. 4) Southwest corner would be extended into S. Santa Cruz Avenue. 5) One parking space would be lost. 6) The southbound bus stop would remain in its current location. PAGE 4 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION - (Cont.) 7) The number and placement of storm drain catch basins would be cost-effective and would allow water to flow into culvert to the north of the intersection. FIGURE 4: ENGINEER'S DESIGN #2 - $206, 210 1) The crosswalks on S. Santa Cruz Avenue would be 41 feet apart (102' currently). The total length of the four crosswalks would be reduced from 210 feet to 141 feet, excluding the 15-foot crosswalk The intersection would be more compact than existing configuration 2) A traffic island/pedestrian refuge would be installed at northwest corner. Northwest island is necessary in order to move crosswalk closer to intersection Certain turning movements into and out of the driveway on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at the northeast corner of the intersection would be prohibited to make intersection safer Island would provide turning lane from S. Santa Cruz Avenue onto Bachman Avenue 3) Southeast corner would be extended into intersection (bulbout). • Would provide a large area for landscaping 4) Bachman Avenue would have one lane approaching the intersection. 5) Southwest corner would be extended into S. Santa Cruz Avenue. 6) One parking space would be lost. 7) The southbound bus stop would remain in its current location. 8) The number and placement of storm drain catch basins would be cost-effective and would allow water to flow into culvert to the north of the intersection. FIGURE 5: ENGINEER'S DESIGN #3 - $200,148 1) The crosswalks on S. Santa Cruz Avenue would be 47 feet apart (102' currently). • The total length of the four crosswalks would be reduced from 210 feet to 144 feet, excluding the two 15-foot crosswalks • The intersection would be more compact than the existing configuration 2) A traffic island/pedestrian refuge would be installed at northwest and southeast corners. • Northwest island is necessary in order to move crosswalk closer to intersection • Certain turning movements into and out of the driveway on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at the northeast corner of the intersection would be prohibited to make intersection safer Islands would provide turning lanes from S. Santa Cruz Avenue onto Bachman Avenue 1 3) Bachman Avenue would have two lanes approaching the intersection. 4) Southwest corner would be offset back into existing sidewalk and extended into S. Santa Cruz Avenue. • Would require some property to be acquired from business owners at that corner • Driveway into parking lot near this comer would have to be relocated 5) One parking space would be lost. 6) The southbound bus stop would remain in its current location 7) The number and placement of storm drain catch basins would be cost-effective and would allow water to flow into culvert to the north of the intersection. PAGE 5 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION: - (Cont.) SANTA CRUZ AVENUE AT GRAYS LANE The current configuration of Grays Lane is functional, but some improvements can be made to make traffic and pedestrian flow better. Currently, most of the sidewalks on Grays Lane are not in compliance with the Americans with a Disability Act due to width or obstructions in sidewalks such as trees and electric utilities. Many of the sidewalks are also badly damaged. The master plan for the downtown area specifies that Grays Lane is to be a one-way street from Lot #4 west to N. Santa Cruz Avenue. There are two marked on -street parallel parking spots. Two more spots are unmarked. The street is currently composed of concrete pavement that in many areas is severely cracked. In order to improve Grays Lane, the stated problems will be improved by widening, reconstruction, and addition of sidewalks and the addition of streetscape improvements. A partial design concept for Grays Lane was approved in the master plan (Figure 17). The design concept, which was drawn by landscape architect Paul Rodrigues, proposed that the sidewalk on Grays Lane between Lot #4 and N. Santa Cruz Avenue be widened by three feet on each side to bring them into compliance with the Americans with a Disability Act. This area of the street is the portion that will be made one-way in the westbound direction. This widening would reduce the width of the street to 21 feet at its narrowest point and to 26 feet at its widest point. The design does not specify where parking on the street will be allowed or where cars will stop at the intersection with N. Santa Cruz Avenue. Also, the design does not specify how the new curb will tie into the existing curb near Lot #4. In addition, a 45-foot section of sidewalk on N. Santa Cruz Avenue would be extended into the street to provide new streetscape and a shorter crosswalk across N. Santa Cruz Avenue. This bulbout would require one parking space to be removed. This design concept does not fully address the parking situation nor the one-way restriction. The Town's Engineering Department is proposing two additional options (Figure 8 and 9) that would increase the functionality of the street and also the number of on -street parking spaces. Both of the new designs would include a new bulbout on N. Santa Cruz Avenue similar to the master plan. An additional new crosswalk will be added across Santa Cruz Avenue. The northeast and southeast comers ofthe N. Santa Cruz / Grays intersection will also be extended into the street to increase pedestrian safety and make the intersection more aesthetic. These buibouts will discourage motorists from entering the one-way portion of Grays Lane from N. Santa Cruz Avenue. Both designs would increase the number of on -street parking spaces on Grays Lane to six by moving the parking to the north side of the street. The south side of the street has two garage entrances that cannot be blocked by parked cars. Design #2 - Figure 9 also includes one handicapped spot. The difference between the two designs is angle of parking . Design # 1 (Figure 8) provides parallel parking whereas Design #2 (Figure 9) provides 30-degree parking. Design #2 - (Figure 9) provides a sawtooth pattern to be constructed along the curb that would provide additional room for streetscape improvements such as trees and planter boxes. The existing configuration of the area is shown on Figure 6. Figure 7 shows the adopted design. GRAYS LANE STREET IMPROVEMENTS • FIGURE 6: EXISTING CONFIGURATION 1) The sidewalks on Grays Lane between Lot #4 and N. Santa Cruz Avenue are not compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. • They are not wide enough because of obstructions such as trees and electric utilities • This area of sidewalk is not the Villa Hermosa town standard • The area east of this portion of Grays Lane has some ADA compliant Villa Hermosa sidewalks, some non -Villa Hermosa sidewalk, and one area with no sidewalk Areas with non -compliant, non -Villa Hermosa, or no sidewalk will be replaced with compliant, Villa Hermosa sidewalk PAGE 6 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February I, 2000 DISCUSSION - (Cont.) 2) The current configuration is not conducive to a one-way street, as is the plan for this portion of the street. • Motorists on N. Santa Cruz Avenue would likely turn east onto Grays Lane despite signs that direct otherwise 3) The street is composed of concrete pavement that is severely cracked in many areas. 4) There are two marked on -street parallel parking spots on Grays Lane, with two more adjacent unmarked spots. 5) There are two garage entrances on the south side of Grays Lane that often get blocked by parked cars. 6) At the intersection ofN. Santa Cruz Avenue and Grays Lane, there is a crosswalk across the southern leg of S. Santa Cruz Avenue and a crosswalk across the eastern leg of Grays Lane. FIGURE 7: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S DESIGN - $14 7, 524 1) The sidewalks on Grays Lane would be widened by three feet on both sides between N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Lot #4. • The sidewalks would be ADA compliant • The design does not specify how the new curb will transition into the existing curb near Lot #4 • The absence of bulbouts at the intersection will inevitably lead to many motorists entering the street in the wrong direction 2) The design does not specify where on -street parking spots will be. 3) A 45-foot section of N. Santa Cruz at its intersection with Grays Lane will be offset into the street. Would provide new streetscape Would shorten crosswalk across N. Santa Cruz Avenue • Would require one on -street parking spot to be removed FIGURE 8: ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 - $161,878 1) The sidewalks on Grays Lane would be widened by three feet on both sides between N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Lot #4 using the Villa Hermosa town standard. • The sidewalks would be ADA compliant 2) The northeast and southeast corners of the N. Santa Cruz / Grays intersection would be bulbouts. • Would provide a shorter distance for pedestrians to cross the street • Would discourage motorists from turning onto the one-way Grays Lane from N. Santa Cruz Avenue • Would provide larger area for streetscape improvements such as trees and planter boxes 3) A 60-foot section of N. Santa Cruz at its intersection with Grays Lane will be offset into the street. • Would provide new streetscape such as trees and planters • Would shorten crosswalk across N. Santa Cruz Avenue • Would require one on -street parking spot to be removed • Would allow for the addition of a crosswalk across N. Santa Cruz Avenue 4) The four parking spaces on the south side of Grays Lane would be removed. Six new parallel spaces will be placed along the northern curb. 5) The trees and electric utilities along the northern sidewalk on Grays Lane would not have to be relocated. FIGURE 9: ENGINEER'S DESIGN #2 - $160,870 I) The sidewalks on Grays Lane would be reconstructed using the Villa Hermosa town standard. 2) The northeast and southeast corners of the N. Santa Cruz / Grays intersection would be bulbouts. Would provide a shorter distance for pedestrians to cross the street • Would discourage motorists from turning onto the one-way Grays Lane from N. Santa Cruz Avenue • Would provide larger area for streetscape improvements such as trees and planter boxes PAGE 7 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION - (Cont.) 3) A 60-foot section of N. Santa Cruz at its intersection with Grays Lane will be offset into the street. • Would provide new streetscape such as trees and planters • Would shorten crosswalk across N. Santa Cruz Avenue • Would require one on -street parking spot to be removed • Would allow for the addition of a crosswalk across N. Santa Cruz Avenue 4) The four parking spaces on the south side of Grays Lane would be removed. Six new 30-degree spaces will be placed against the northern curb. • Includes one handicapped space with a ramp up the curb Would form sawtooth pattern along northern sidewalk that would provide additional room for trees and planter boxes The trees and electric utilities along the northern sidewalk on Grays Lane would have to be relocated SANTA CRUZ AVENUE AT NORTH MAIN STREET (PLAZA PARK): A conceptual design for the Town Plaza was approved by Town Council. The design, which was drawn by landscape architect Paul Rodrigues, proposed that the sidewalk adjacent to the plaza be widened into S. Santa Cruz Avenue. This widening would move the four existing parallel parking stalls further into the street and would allow the centerline of the street to remain where it is currently. The master plan would be functional, but small revisions can improve the traffic flow into the intersection of S. Santa Cruz Avenue and W. Main Street and also improve bus maneuverability into the bus stop. The master plan does not address street improvements being made on S. Santa Cruz Avenue just to the south of the plaza that would conflict with his design. The improvements, which are currently being designed by Giuliani & Kull, Inc. for the Toll House Hotel upgrade, involve the addition of angled parking and planters, and the reconfiguration of the striping between New Wood Road and Broadway. A preliminary design was submitted to the Town of Los Gatos in August 1999. The design proposed that the centerline of the road be offset 4.5 feet to the west. In order to accommodate this realignment, the centerline on S. Santa Cruz Avenue to the north of Broadway would need to be offset nearly 4 feet. Should this change be made to the Town Plaza design, a 1 6-foot lane would be created adjacent to the plaza. A very wide lane would encourage very fast driving. Obv iously, the presence of many pedestrians in the area and the traffic signal at S. Santa Cruz Avenue and W. Main Street would create a serious conflict. To resolve any inconsistencies, the Town's Engineering Department is proposing a new design that will slightly alter the master plan. The revision incorporates the addition of a traffic island/pedestrian refuge at the S. Santa Cruz/W. Main intersection requested by the Town's Trails and Bikeways Committee. The island would reduce the distance that pedestrians would have to walk to cross the intersection and would also provide extra storage capacity for westbound vehicles waiting at the stop light on W. Main Street, thus reducing the backup into the intersection at University Avenue. The existing configuration of S. Santa Cruz Avenue is shown in Figure 10. Figure 11 shows the adopted master plan design. Figure 12 on the following page is the Town's Engineering Department recommendation. Please note that the area within the plaza is not entirely drawn. These figures only deal with sidewalk, street, and striping alignments. PAGE 8 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION - (Cont.) TOWN PLAZA STREET IMPROVEMENTS FIGURE 10: EXISTING CONFIGURATION 1) The left lane on S. Santa Cruz Avenue adjacent to the plaza is I 1 feet wide. The right lane ranges from 12.5 feet to 23 feet wide. 2) There are five (5) regular and one (1) handicapped parking spaces directly in front of the post office on Broadway. There are six (6) regular parking spaces across the lot adjacent to the plaza. The handicapped spot does not meet ADA requirements for loading/unloading Of the six parking spaces adjacent to the plaza, only five are striped. The sixth is permitted by green paint on the curb • None of the parking spaces in this area of Broadway is striped according to Town standards • The travel lane between these parking spaces is 30 feet wide. It is required to be at least 13 feet wide 3) There are four parallel parking spaces adjacent to the plaza on S. Santa Cruz Avenue. These spaces are followed by a bus stop to the north. 4) There is one crosswalk across S. Santa Cruz Avenue at its intersection with Broadway. 5) Pedestrians must walk 82 feet to cross the southern leg of S. Santa Cruz Avenue at its intersection with W. Main Street. Pedestrians must walk 70 feet to cross the eastern leg of W. Main Street at its intersection with S. Santa Cruz Avenue. 6) The westbound left turn lane on W. Main Street has a storage length of 60 feet. 7) The curb along S. Santa Cruz Avenue adjacent to the plaza is not straight. It is straight on the other three sides of the plaza. FIGURE 11: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S DESIGN - $147, 679 1) The master plan design proposes widening the sidewalk adjacent to the plaza on S. Santa Cruz Avenue by I0 feet for half the block's length and by 4.5 feet for the rest of the block's length. 2) The four existing parallel parking spaces adjacent to the plaza would be offset by 10 feet. 3) The centerline would remain where it currently is, creating a 12-foot travel lane. • The preliminary street improvement design on S. Santa Cruz Avenue south of Broadway proposes offsetting the centerline 4.5 feet to the west • The landscape architect's design would leave the centerline 4 feet to the east of where it would need to be • If the current centerline is offset by 4 feet, a 16-foot travel lane would be created, which would encourage faster driving 4) No improvements were proposed to the intersection of S. Santa Cruz Avenue and W. Main Street. 5) No striping changes were proposed except for the slight relocation of one crosswalk and the parking tees for the four parallel parking spaces on S. Santa Cruz Avenue • This assumption was made because the plans do not show most striping details 6) The combination of the most northern parking spot on S. Santa Cruz Avenue and the curb offset would not allow buses to safely maneuver into the bus stop. • The curb transition at mid -block would not improve bus maneuverability into the bus stop 7) The southeast corner of S. Santa Cruz/Broadway would be extended into the street. • The size of the corner would need to be enlarged in order to accommodate the design of the street improvements to the south of the intersection 8) The master plan states that the design of the northeast corner of S. Santa Cruz/Broadway would create a new parking space on Broadway. In actuality, the number of parking spaces would remain the same (6) because there is currently one parking space that is not officially marked, but is allowed by the green striping on the curb. PAGE 9 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 DISCUSSION - (Cont.) FIGURE 12: ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 - $207, 774 1) The curb adjacent to the plaza on S. Santa Cruz Avenue would be offset by 10 feet for half the block's length and by 10 to 14 feet for the rest of the block's length. • The curb along S. Santa Cruz Avenue adjacent to the plaza would be straight • The plaza could be extended into some of the existing sidewalk or the sidewalk could be very wide 2) The two spaces closest to the bus stop would be removed to provide more room for buses. 3) In order to be consistent with the preliminary street improvement design on S. Santa Cruz Avenue south of Broadway, the centerline would be offset by 4 feet, creating a 12-foot travel lane. 4) A traffic island/pedestrian refuge would be added near the southeast corner of the S. Santa Cruz/ W. Main intersection The distance the pedestrians would have to walk to cross the intersection would be reduced The 77' from the southwest corner to the southeast corner would be reduced to 41' • The 68' from the northeast corner to the southeast corner would be reduced to 54' • The island would provide extra storage capacity for westbound vehicles waiting at the stop light on W. Main Street The island would allow two stop light poles to be moved onto one pole on the island Would provide better visibility of the traffic light 5) Provide new bulbouts at the northeast and southeast corners ofthe S. Santa Cruz/Broadway intersection along with a new crosswalk from the northeast to the northwest corner • Would provide much shorter distances for pedestrians to cross the street • Would allow street sweepers to clean around the bulbouts Design of the southeast corner bulbout is meant to also prevent northbound cars on S. Santa Cruz Avenue from making a right on Broadway, which is a one-way street. Currently, many motorists make this illegal turning movement 6) The parking stalls on Broadway adjacent to the plaza should be restriped according to Town standards. • The parking spot that is currently not striped would be striped. No new parking spaces would be created 7) The parking stalls on Broadway adjacent to the post office should be restriped according to Town standards, including the handicapped spot that currently does not meet ADA requirements. • In order to meet ADA requirements, one parking spot would have to be removed CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of the Town and Willdan staff, as well as the recommendation of the Town Traffic Engineer, staff is requesting approval of the final design concepts for Santa Cruz Avenue at Bachman, Grays Lane, and North Main Street at Plaza Park. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: These projects are defined under CEQA, and further action for each specific project is defined in the individual CIP project write-up. FISCAL IMPACT: Each alternative is provided with its appropriate engineers estimate (Figure 18). All project costs have been determined and approved as a part of the individual CIP projects. The alternatives presented all can be designed and constructed within the budget amounts previously approved under the CIP. Therefore there is no negative fiscal impact due to the alternatives chosen for each project. (Th PAGE 10 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: APPROVE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN February 1, 2000 Attachments: 1. Santa Cruz Avenue at Bachman existing configuration and alternatives - (Figures 1 through 6) 2. Santa Cruz Avenue at Grays existing configuration and alternatives - (Figures 7 through 9) 3. Santa Cruz Avenue at North Main (Plaza Park) existing configuration and alternatives - (Figures 10 through 12) 4. Approved master plan - (Figure 13 through 17) 5. Cost estimate spread sheet - (Figure 18) 6. Excerpts from TJKM "Los Gatos Downtown Operational Study" - Capital Improvements Distribution: Gary Kruger, TJKM Traffic Consultants, 4234 Hacienda Drive, Suite 101, Pleasanton CA 94588-2721 LEGENL FACE /BACK OF CURB, GUTTER DRIVEWAY RAMP HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES N.SANTA tit CRUZ AVE. E fly s. ATTACHMENT 1 SANTA CRUZ / BACHMAN INTERSECTION EXISTING CONFIGURATION SCJIACHONC FIGURE 1 LEGEh._ FACE/BACK OF CURB, GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE /BACK OF CURB, GUTTER DRIVEWAY RAMP y(j HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. ‘c. M 4- LANDSCAPE "`""`"""'`x°'`" ARCHITECT'S DESIG FIGURE 2 LEGEND FACE/BACK OF CURB, GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE 1BACK OF CURB, GUTTER EXISTING OR PROPOSED DRIVEWAY RAMP EXISTING DRIVEWAY RAMP TO BE RELOCATED HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. LEGEND FACE/BACK OF CURB, GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE /BACK OF CURB, GUTTER EXISTING OR PROPOSED DRIVEWAY RAMP EXISTING DRIVEWAY RAMP TO BE RELOCATED HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. • ‘sK-. 4- SANTA CRUZ / BACHMAN INTERSECTION ENGINEER'S DESIGN #2 CIO4OPIC FIGURE 4 LEGEND qy FACE/BACK OF CURB, GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE /BACK OF CURB, GUTTER EXISTING OR PROPOSED DRIVEWAY RAMP EXISTING DRIVEWAY RAMP TO BE RELOCATED HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. fi • Mr, erip elf 48 SANTA CRUZ / BACHMAN INTERSECTION ENGINEER'S I DESIGN #3 I FIGURE 5 LEGEND 1 FACE/BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER DRIVEWAY RAMP HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES ;+ TREES 4F} � t 1 1 1 �s N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. GRAYS LANE EXISTING CONFIGURATION FIGURE 6 LEGEND 1 1 FACE/BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE/ BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER DRIVEWAY RAMP HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES 1 1 tK-3 Y �w Landscape architects design does not show details of transition to existing curb t t N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. ATTACHMENT 2 GRAYS LANE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S DESIGN]FIGURE 7 LEGEND 1 ,1 FACE/BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE/ BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER EXISTING DRIVEWAY RAMP EXISTING OR PROPOSED HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES 1 1 1 N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. GRAYS LANE ENGINEER'S DESIGN #1 it FIGURE 8 LtGEND 1 1 e FACE/BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTING OR PROPOSED FACE/ BACK OF CURB AND GUTTER EXISTING DRIVEWAY RAMP EXISTING OR PROPOSED HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STALL TEES NEW TREES AND PLANTERS 1 1 i N. SANTA CRUZ AVE. GRAYS LANE ENGINEER'S DESIGN #2 FIGURE 9 f1 W. MAIN STREET MONTEBELLO WAY /// ATTACHMENT 3 TOWN PLAZA EXISTING CONFIGURATION rNafflotattougnova:vac FIGURE 10 LEGEND FACESACK OF W. GUTTER TO BE REMOVED EXISTON° OR PROPOSED FACE /BACK OF CURS, GUTTER ORNEWAY RAMP HANDICAP RAMP PARKING STAU. TEES NO SCALE BROADWAY STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA ARE CURRENTLY IN THE DESIGN PROCESS BY CONSULTANTS WORKING FOR THE TOLL HOUSE HOTEL. THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN IS SHOWN ALONG WITH THE EXISTING STRIPING. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S DESIG FIGURE 2 LEGEND FACE/SACK OF CURS, °UTTER TO BE REMOVED COSTING OR PROPOSED FACE BACK OF CURB, GUTTER Il n DRIVEWAY RAMP HANDICAP RAMP 1 PARKING STALL NO SCALE BROADWAY Q STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA ARE CURRENTLY IN THE DESIGN PROCESS BY CONSULTANTS WORKING FOR THE TOLL HOUSE HOTEL. THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN IS SHOWN ALONG WITH THE EXISTING STRIPING. W. 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Au,EY 1 R-C-LOcarB GP -Si WA!. e 23Co M.tiANTA Figure 16 XCLI PPriOo-Nt �p1sW C11aK - - -• ��—-• — Zj=:�:::• _Crrtb f Mo�E ufrjff pock ••_._, :—Aii1751—C, (cHO1e•Er6 Figure 17 N ,3i.,,,,,, ....._. ,om,,,,,,,,. \ . \ \ \i L ;�...fTh rag-g•rN 6. - \ \ \•\ LANR. • 611Pkii& To oNE•WAY CWEq1") AT • 31 "0 GoMPL( w ADA Ac W4 P--QUIR AEt1T4 To H PAI INr, & p _o' E "%rlo r I N b of ' »i 61LAY5 LAPS Town Plaza J co 0 d CI W N Q1 LL N O 0) O O O r 0) 0) O O M 0) co U 0 U 0 O M O N (D co co (0 (D N tv C .0, C W d u- N ti N co N O C .0) G Lww co O) II1 LL 0 N r O 0 Ln (0 O cc) U t 0 N QI LL Ln 0 0) (0 Cc) ti N V Bachman/Santa Cruz M _C .m C W L() LL 0 co Ln 0) O O O co 0) O O N N 67 G 0) G W w (T LL co ti LT O (0 O CO O (O N O 0) CO CU N G 0) G w LS) u- N O 0) 0) 0) CO N (h O 0) 0) (0 O M N CO th N 7 0 01 LL co O (T O O O 0- N 0 CO (L U) W J Q W LF 11 LF LF Q W a W Item Description PCC Sidewalk PCC Curb & Gutter PCC Disabled ramps Villa Hermosa Brick Strip White Line 4" Solid Thermoplastic 12" Crosswalk Thermoplastic 8' White Arrows Thermoplastic 8' White Letters y- N (7 7 0 (0 I- CO tri 0 U Town Plaza Engineer 1 11 Figure 12 `7 00 0-( O 6- 69 0 0 co 69 0 0 0 O 69 0 p0o V N 09 0 (0 W a0 00) (A o 0) (9 69 N r ti 6H 0 0) (0 COO r 69 0) O O N to 0) 0) 0- O N 69 �, 6U1 V Q (4 7 m LL 7 O N N I $26,845.001 O pO V' Ln 49 I $23,772.801 0 b09 c00 (0 O 069 O 0(A Lf0) O 7 CO- N 69 t CN0 N 0) -. 69 $147,678.98 Grays Lane Engineer 2 Figure 9 j $85,785.001 $28,735.0 00 O N 0- 69 pp 'V CO l(f 0 6- O V 0 N 69 $387.601 $41.00 $85.60 CO (O COC or (9 69 00) Ni CO or Ntf) LOf) CT CO 0- 0 69 Engineer 1 Figure 8 0 O 0 CO- CO 64 0 O N co f� N 64 0 O N f� (fl 0 (O CO (� 4- 64 0 O 1.0 N (9 69 0 .- 69 ((00 Ln 69 CO -' Ch 0 O 7 'NC 7 6- N 69 10 f` 0 0 6- Architect Figure 7 0 01 co O O N 69 0 N 0 O 0 N 69 0 O Q L(7 49 0 00 q (- 69 0 O 64 CO C) N (0) 69 0 O 69 (0 U) CO 69 L$128,281.45 N hl 7 N - 0) 69 $147,523.67 Bachman/Santa Cruz Engineer 3 Figure 5 0 O Lb N (T $38,325.001 O O O 00 CO- $10,472.00 1- $5,838.001 O '- N W 64 0 0 O 'Cr 49 0 O co'- CCO cH 0 U) 0 7 n 69 0) N (O 0 (0 69 I $204,302.031 $205,736.841 $206,208.571 $200,147.7J Engineer 2 Figure 4 (O 0 CO O 64 0 O N- 6M4 0 pOp R V 64 0 N '4) N 64 0 N co- 000 6 OOD 63 $328.00 $727.60 000 ,- (9 O) 66- 69 r (O W (0 69 Engineer 1 Figure 3 0) (Oi 0 CO N o co 0 N (O O 69 0 0 O CO- 69 $10,798.401 0 CO N (O (O N CO 609 $328.00 $727.60 00 0 0) CO- r 69 N 0) CO (.0 49 ti a,r (-) Figure 2 0 co O (•) 69 O op O U) 69 pp O O co N 49 (.0 7 0) N 69 I� O N O- O� 0- 64 1 $328.001 00 N C` '9 $177,653.94 V co CO- 09 Price $11.40 o 0 Ln 0) 69-69 I $1,800.001 0 N (- N O O co 69 $2.55 $41.00 $21.40 Subtotal Contingency (15%) Total m W CD LL J < W LL. J LL J LL J < W a W Item Description PCC Sidewalk PCC Curb & Gutter PCC Disabled ramps Villa Hermosa Brick Strip White Line 4" Solid Thermoplastic 12" Crosswalk Thermoplastic 8' White Arrows Thermoplastic 8' White Letters y.- N 0) 7 0 (O 1` co Figure 18: Engineer's Cost Estimate Spreadsheet Attachment 5 01/27/2000 13:44 9254633690 TJKM Mr. Scott D. Alrnan, January 26, 2000, Pg. 28 PAGE 04 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECTS The Town Council has requested the independent review of three Capital Improvement Program projects in the downtown area to determine their impacts on traffic operations and pedestrian circulation- The three projects are: ▪ the Town Plaza street improvements; . N. Santa Cruz Avenue/Bachman Avenue intersection improvements; and, ▪ Grays Lane improvements. The conceptual design for each improvement was developed by landscape architect, Paul Rodrigues, and approved by the Town Council. Alternative conceptual designs have been developed by the Town's Engineering staff to enhance the original concept and use the projects as opportunities to further improve circulation and mitigate sub -standard designs. The following presents a qualitative assessment of alternative improvements from a traffic engineering perspective. Town Plaza Street Improvements Figures 11, 12, and 13 depict Santa Cruz Avenue between Main Street and Broadway in its existing configuration, under the architect's concept, and under the engineer's concept, respectively. The proposed improvement itself, irrespective of the architect's or the engineer's concept, removes one traffic lane on the northbound side, reducing the available storage for northbound right turns from the existing 250 feet (the length of the block) to about 160 feet at best, or 80 feet at worst. The elimination of one lane of traffic would likely cause queues to form past Broadway and the level of service (LOS) for the northbound approach would likely deteriorate from the existing LOS D to LOS E. In terms of traffic operations, the engineer's design is recommended over the architect's design for the following reasons: • it provides for shorter crosswalks at both intersections of Santa Cruz Avenue with Main Street and Broadway, which would enhance both pedestrian safety and traffic signal efficiency, it takes away less capacity at the intersection of Santa Cruz Avenue with Main Street by changing the requirement for northbound right turns from a full stop on red with a yield, and by allowing for greater storage for northbound right turns by moving the bus stop further south; ▪ it adds capacity at the intersection of Santa Cruz Avenue and Broadway by striping an additional lane on the westbound approach; and, • it promotes traffic safety by eliminating the centerline offset. The only disadvantage associated with the engineer's design is that it eliminates two parking spaces on the east side of Santa Cruz Avenue, but the trade-off is the provision of additional right - turn lane storage. Attachment 6 01/27/2000 13:44 9254633690 Mr. Scott D. Alman, January 26, 2000, Pg. 32 TJKM PAGE 08 N. Santa Cruz Avenue/Bachman Avenue Intersection Improvements Figures 14 through 18 depict the intersection of N. Santa Cruz Avenue with Bachman Avenue in its existing configuration, under the architect's concept, and under the engineer's three alternative concepts. The purpose of the proposed improvement is to mitigate the motorist confusion that occurs at the intersection as a result of the offset between the east and west legs. Both the landscape architect's and the engineer's designs result in better alignment of the east and west legs, as well as shorter crosswalks that would enhance pedestrian safety. The architect's design results in the following disadvantages: ■ it reduces the capacity of the westbound leg by eliminating one approach lane; ■ it maintains the location of the crosswalk on the north leg of the intersection beyond immediate visibility to westbound right -turning traffic; ▪ the bus stop at the southwest comer of the intersection is moved into the southbound traffic lane, which will cause blockage, where it does not now exist; and, ▪ the proposed delineation for the westbound approach lane still results in some overlap with the delineation for the eastbound approach. Of the three designs proposed by the engineer, the preferred alternative is design 01, which will provide additional capacity at all legs of the intersection, move the crosswalk on the north leg further south where it would be immediately visible to westbound right -turning traffic, and keep the bus stop at a location where it will not impede southbound traffic. A minor modification to this alternative, which would result in the more standard intersection layout of aligned opposing left turn pockets, is shown in Figure 19. The proposed modification should not cause significant deterioration in the level of service for the westbound right turns due to the minor volume of the westbound through movement. Grays Lane Improvements Figures 20 through 23 depict the intersection of Grays Lane and N. Santa Cruz Avenue in its existing configuration, under the architect's concept, and under the engineer's two alternative concepts. The proposed improvements consist of converting Grays Lane to a one-way street in the westbound direction and providing bulbouts on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at its intersection with Grays Lane to create shorter crosswalks. Although there is not a significant volume of traffic on Grays Lane, its designation as a one-way street would be disruptive to the existing circulation patterns, thereby potentially causing motorist confusion at least within the first few months of the implementation of the restriction, and will make access to the large parking lot between N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Station Way circuitous. In terms of the alternatives, the preferred alternative is the engineer's design alternative #2, which will provide shorter crosswalks for N. Santa Cruz Avenue and six additional parking spaces along Grays Lane, including a parking space for disabled people that would be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 01/27/2000 13:44 9254633690 Mr. Scott D. Alman, January 26, 2000, Pg. 43 TJKM PAGE 19 RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the findings and conclusions from the study of traffic operations in downtown Los Gatos, the Town Traffic Engineer has the following recommendations: • To reduce cut -through traffic in downtown streets, implement ramp metering at the N. Santa Cruz Avenue on -ramp to State Route 17 at a metering rate of 250 vehicles per hour. The ramp metering option is an appropriate solution that would induce enough delay to reroute a significant amount of traffic without causing severe disruption to freeway access for residents and employees in the Town of Los Gatos. • Coordinate the traffic signals at the intersections of State Route 9 with N. Santa Cruz Avenue and University Avenue in order to reduce travel time and make this a more attractive route to State Route 17. • Retain the all -way stop control at the intersection of College Avenue and Main Street until such time as funds become available for the design and construction of a pedestrian signal at that location. The pedestrian signal would be the best solution at this location since it will enhance pedestrian safety without causing undue delay to through vehicles on Main Street. • implement the engineer's design for the Town Plaza Street Improvements. • Implement the engineer's design #1 for the N. Santa Cruz Avenue/Bachman Avenue Intersection Improvements with minor modifications as illustrated in Figure 19. • Implement the engineer's design #2 for the Grays Lane Improvements. The supporting technical documentation for the data and analysis presented in this study is provided under separate cover. If you have any questions or comments regarding this study, please do not hesitate to contact me at 925.463.0611. Town Council Minutes February 7, 2000 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California LOS GATOS DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC OPERATIONS/GARY KRUGER/TJKM (21.40) Town Traffic Engineer, Gary Kruger with TJKM Transportation Consultants made a detailed presentation to Council concerning traffic in the downtown and the existing street alignment problems. Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, A) that Council implement ramp metering to 250 vehicles per hour at the Highway 17 and State Route 9 , and enter into negotiations with TJKM to move this action through CalTrans; B) that Council modify traffic signals at Los Gatos -Saratoga Road with University Avenue and North Santa Cruz Avenue to make the highway entrance more attractive. Carried unanimously. (Item C concerning all -way stop at East Main and College would remain as is. Item D concerning Town Plaza design will be considered under Item 22 on this agenda..) DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PLAN/DESIGN OPTIONS (22.40) Mayor Blanton announced that this was the time and place so noticed to consider the designs for improvements along Santa Cruz Avenue at Bachman Avenue, Grays Lane and Main Street; and approve the final design concepts for Bachman Avenue (Engineer's Design #1 Figure 3); Grays Lane (Engineer's Design #1 - Figure 8); West Main Street at Plaza Park (Engineer's Design #1 - Figure 12). Council consensus to continue the Bachman -Santa Cruz alignment consideration to February 22, 2000 for staff to return with a more thorough landscaping plan for this corner. There will be no pork chops, and the effects of the bulbs will be considered. Council consensus to approve Gray's Lane - Engineer's Design #1. A one way street in the westerly direction, removing two parking spots, having parking on the right, and traffic on the left moving in a westerly direction. Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, to approve landscape architect's design - Figure # 2 - with as much expansion of the park and narrowing of crosswalks as possible, and to have traffic striping which allows one car at a time to exit the street in front of the post office. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Blanton voted no, noting that the Parks Commission should have an opportunity to review the proposals first. Speaker, April Maiten, representing the Parks Commission, requested limiting the buses at the Plaza. If all buses cannot be eliminated, then at least limit the bus lay over to one bus, and sign the bus stop for the buses to turn off their motor while they are stopped. She asked that the Parks Commission be included in the decisions regarding the plans for the Plaza. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, to adjourn this evening's meeting at 9:43 p.m. Carried unanimously. rc:c:\MM020700 ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove Town Clerk 5