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22 Staff Report - North Santa Cruz Avenue Streetscape Concept Designf • fl MEETING DATE: 4/15/02 ITEM NO. 22 DATE: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT APRIL 12, 2002 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION CONCERNING NORTH SANTA CRUZ AVENUE STREETSCAPE CONCEPT DESIGN RECOMMENDATION: Discuss and provide direction concerning Santa Cruz Avenue Streetscape Improvement Design. PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to provide the Town Council with an overview of key decisions as they relate to the Santa Cruz Streetscape Improvements, and solicit feedback and direction. BACKGROUND: In February 1996, Town Council adopted a conceptual street design plan for the Los Gatos Central Business District. This plan involved the reconstruction of six intersections on Santa Cruz Avenue, including Almendra Avenue, Bachman Avenue, Nicholson Avenue, Royce Street, Grays Lane, and Bean Avenue. The plan also called for the reconstruction of the intersection on South Santa Cruz near the Toll House and Town Plaza Park and on Main Street at University and College Avenues. The conceptual street design plan incorporated several aesthetic elements, such as street trees, furniture, and landscaping as well as pedestrian -friendly measures. These measures included "bulb outs" and "woonerf' intersection designs. Bulb outs slightly expand sidewalks into intersections, shortening the walking distance between intersections for pedestrians and improving pedestrian visibility. A woonerf intersection design is a European, traffic calming measure which raises the level of the street to the sidewalk, creating a pedestrian mall effect. PREPARED BY: / .IOHN E. CURTIS irector of Parks and Public Works Reviewed by: Attorney Clerk Finance Community Development Revised: 4/12/02 6:02 pm Reformatted: 5/30/01 N:IMGRUHanryamalStaff Reportslstreetscape.improvements.design.wpd n PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION CONCERNING NORTH SANTA CRUZ AVENUE STREETSCAPE CONCEPT DESIGN APRIL 12, 2002 Presently, the street designs for the Grays Lane and Bachman Avenue intersections are complete, and incorporate the aesthetic and pedestrian -friendly design concepts discussed earlier. These designs would require additional storm drains, both above and below ground. DISCUSSION: There are a number of design and construction considerations that merit discussion regarding the streetscape improvement designs along North Santa Cruz Avenue. These issues include construction impacts to the business and residential community; project productivity; design flexibility; contract packaging; and retention of pedestrian -friendly crossings. Issues for Consideration • Construction Impact to Business and Residential Community. A project of this magnitude will impact both the business and residential community. Issues such as noise, dust, accessibility, and circulation will need to be adequately addressed as a result of sidewalk and/or street construction. • Project Productivity. Project productivity could be enhanced if the project focus entailed only sidewalk and non -street construction. Project coordination requirements would also be greatly simplified if street reconstruction was not incorporated into the sidewalk projects. More importantly, however, is to insure a scope of work that can be accomplished by October 31, 2002. It is important to note that any work that is undertaken should be completed prior to, and not during the holiday season. • Design flexibility. If the Town Council wishes in the future to raise the intersections to street level, this work could be accomplished, if it were not done in the first phase. Some curbs and sidewalk would need to be removed and replaced and a storm drain system would need to be installed. • Contract Packaging. How the actual contract is packaged is of considerable importance as it will drive construction impacts on the community and the project's overall productivity and flexibility. Should the contract be packaged as one project or divided into individual, smaller projects? With respect to street work, should the Town package the street work as one contract, so that North Santa Cruz Avenue and intersections on North Santa Cruz Avenue be paved at one time? This may produce a more efficient paving project, but there are other impacts as well. • Retention of Pedestrian Crossings. As reflected in the original concept design plan, a pedestrian -friendly environment is of significant importance. As the design process evolves, staff will ensure that this goal is not comprised. PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION CONCERNING NORTH SANTA CRUZ AVENUE STREETSCAPE CONCEPT DESIGN APRIL 12, 2002 Below is the anticipated schedule for the Santa Cruz Avenue Streetscape Improvements. Direction received from Town Council regarding the project's design will be incorporated into the project work plan schedule. • Council Direction • Plans, Specifications, Estimates Complete • Approval, Authorization to Advertise • Bid Date Award Date Start Date Completion Date CONCLUSION: April 15, 2002 May 13, 2002 May 20, 2002 June 24, 2002 July 15, 2002 August 1, 2002 October 31, 2002 As discussed earlier, the Santa Cruz Avenue Streetscape Design Plan generates a discussion of several issues, ranging from community impacts to project productivity to the retention of a pedestrian -friendly environment. It is important to note that even with a revised design concept, the first stage of the streetscape improvements can be completed in a work window this year. If additional information becomes available to staff subsequent to the preparation of this report, it will be brought to Council for consideration. Town Council Minutes April 15, 2002 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE CONCEPT DESIGN/NORTH SANTA CRUZ AVENUE (22.31) Mr. Curtis, Parks & Public Works Director, gave a short history of the progress of this concept and suggested that Council and audience review the plans at the table by the podium and then proceed with further discussion. He spoke of the cross walk designs and the sewer infrastructure. He also noted that the electrical solutions should be completed before the paving. Speakers: Ray Davis, resident, spoke of planting non -flowering shrubs and trees so as to help diminish the pollen problems in the spring. He asked about signal poles having been placed in the street at Santa Cruz and Highway 9 and requested that they be painted with reflective paint for safety. Greg Stowers, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, spoke about information dissemination to the businesses concerning the upgrades downtown. He noted that they would all appreciate early information concerning the progress of the project so that they could plan their business days and possible days of closure due to heavy construction near their place of business. Mayor Attaway asked that staff give abundant notice about plans and schedules so that the business community will be able to support the implementation and schedules of this project. John Curtis, Director of Public Works spoke of the plans for communicating with the businesses and home owners during this construction phase in the downtown. Council moved to the meeting table in order to view the plans and diagrams and discuss alternatives. Council Consensus: 1) Not to have raised pedestrian walkways at the intersections. 2) Sidewalk construction between Bean and Bachman will proceed at this time on both sides of Santa Cruz Ave. 3) Staff will work with owners to negotiate consistency between the new sidewalks that the Town will be building and the portions of private property sidewalks that are inconsistent with the overall construction project designs. 4) Project will be planned to move along quickly which may cause additional impacts, but businesses would prefer that to moderate impacts over a longer period of time. 5) A project manager will be hired to supervise the construction of the sidewalks and the impacts and effects of this project. 6) Funding has yet to be approved. Project and costs will return to Council for approval. John Curtis, Director of Public Works, thanked Council for direction and spoke of updates to Council and of implementing the community information program concerning the project. COUNCIL MATTERS (23.28) Mayor Attaway spoke of the trip to Sacramento and the legislative work that was done and the continuing need for cities to support keeping their revenues and not allowing the State to take them. He also thanked Mr. Blanton for the work he had done toward letting the Town's voice be heard by our legislators. TC: D 13:MM041502 8