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Staff Report-BHR with attachments PREPARED BY: WooJae Kim Town Engineer Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Parks and Public Works Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: 12/6/2022 ITEM NO: 13 DATE: November 21, 2022 TO: Mayor and Town Council FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager SUBJECT: Receive a Project Update and Approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for Final Design RECOMMENDATION: Receive a project update and approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for final design. BACKGROUND: The adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23-2026/27 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget designates funding for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239). The project segment of Blossom Hill Road between Camelia Terrace and Hillbrook Drive/Cherrystone Drive is approximately 0.5 miles long and is classified as an arterial roadway. Along this segment, there are driveways that serve the adjacent residential homes, Blossom Hill Elementary School, and Blossom Hill Park. Blossom Hill Road intersections at Cherry Blossom Lane and Camellia Terrace are signalized. The project section of Blossom Hill Road is mainly a four-lane divided roadway with two-lanes in each direction. The current speed limit is 35 miles per hour and 25 miles per hour during school hours. Traffic safety for the project segment has been an important consideration for residents for a number of years. The corridor is heavily traveled by students commuting to Blossom Hill Elementary School, Raymond J Fisher Middle School, and other nearby uses. Traffic counts collected in January 2019 indicated 7,000 to 8,000 vehicles travel through the project area each day in eastbound and westbound directions. PAGE 2 OF 5 SUBJECT: Receive a Project Update and Approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for Final Design DATE: November 21, 2022 BACKGROUND (continued): In early 2021, a traffic safety feasibly study for the project segment was completed. The feasibility study recommended reducing travel lanes from two in each direction to one lane in each direction, improvements to the Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane signalized intersection (e.g., eliminating the “free” right turn from eastbound Blossom Hill Road onto Cherry Blossom Lane), traffic signal modifications, and installing improved bike facilities. The feasibility study and recommendations were presented to the public at a community meeting held on January 28, 2021. The cost of improvements was estimated to be in excess of $4.6 million dollars. The residents expressed desires for the traffic safety improvements to be implemented expeditiously. DISCUSSION: In July 2022, staff submitted a $4.6 million grant application for the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program – Cycle 3 to fund all safety improvements recommended in the 2021 traffic safety feasibility study, pavement resurfacing, and permanent separators for Class IV bikeways along the project corridor. Soon after the submittal, staff was informed by Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) that the project application did not rank high on the program and would not be funded. Given the denial by VTA, and in order to implement traffic safety measures as early as next year, staff developed a “Phase 1” Concept Plan for the project involving travel lane reductions and bike lane and pedestrian safety enhancements largely with striping and non-permanent “quick-build” traffic control measures (Attachment 1). The concept plan is also available on the Town’s project website at https://www.losgatosca.gov/2650/Blossom-Hill-Road-Traffic-Safety. If approved, the proposed Phase 1 Concept Plan would be constructed as part of the Town’s Annual Street Repair and Resurfacing Project in summer 2023. The proposed improvements include: • Reduction from two lanes in each direction to a single lane in each direction on Blossom Hill Road; • Class II bike lanes for the westbound cyclists along the residential properties; and • Class IV buffered bike lanes for the eastbound cyclists. Community Outreach The Phase 1 Concept Plan was presented at a community meeting held on September 22, 2022. The meeting was advertised through postcards mailed to neighbors within 500 feet of the project site, Town website Notify Me messaging, and various Town social media outlets. PAGE 3 OF 5 SUBJECT: Receive a Project Update and Approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for Final Design DATE: November 21, 2022 DISCUSSION (continued): Community members who attended the meeting reiterated their safety concerns regarding traffic conditions along the corridor, vehicles speeding on Blossom Hill Road, and past traffic incidents. Attendees preferred to see more robust and permanent safety enhancements along Blossom Hill Road. Comments from the community meeting are summarized in Attachment 2. Public comments received via email outside of the meeting are included in Attachment 3. For some of the community concerns received, staff considered solutions that may be suitable for the Phase 1 implementation next year and other long-term solutions to be considered when funding becomes available. Table 1 in Attachment 2 summarizes what staff heard from the community and how it may be addressed (or why it cannot be addressed). Staff will continue to evaluate community comments for potential improvements to the concept design. Traffic Analysis Study - Field Simulation The intent of the proposed Phase 1 Concept Plan is to enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and potentially reduce vehicle speeds along this Blossom Hill Road corridor. However, the lane reduction proposal would likely increase traffic delays and vehicle queuing in the area during peak travel times. The initial traffic modeling studies indicated a modest manageable increase in queuing/traffic delays at the signalized intersection of Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane. To reaffirm the traffic model results, the project team conducted an on-site field simulation of the proposed lane reduction using traffic cones, signs, and changeable message boards between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13. During the field simulation, queuing at the signalized intersection of Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane were significantly higher than findings from the traffic modeling. The following results are from the field simulation: • Morning westbound traffic (toward Los Gatos Boulevard) queued as far back as Linda Avenue from Cherry Blossom Lane between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. The long queuing can be attributed to the commute and school traffic, and the “walk” signal activated at every cycle at the signalized intersection, which requires that all vehicles stop when pedestrians and bicyclists cross Blossom Hill Road. • Afternoon eastbound traffic (toward San José) queued as far back as Los Gatos Boulevard. After further review, Town staff determined that the additional queuing was due to signal timing being off-sync at the Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane intersection. With the signal timing issue addressed, additional queuing in the afternoon is expected to extend no further than Camellia Terrace. PAGE 4 OF 5 SUBJECT: Receive a Project Update and Approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for Final Design DATE: November 21, 2022 DISCUSSION (continued): The results of the field simulation suggest that queuing for the westbound traffic on Blossom Hill Road will not meet the Town’s performance standard during the morning commute. The Level of Service (LOS) of the signalized intersection at Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane is initially anticipated to drop from Level of Service (LOS) C to F during the morning peak hour. However, the proposed design for the project is consistent with the Town’s transportation goals to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety and the Town’s multimodal network. The project team believes that the Phase 1 Concept Plan will achieve the project goals of enhancing traffic safety and potentially reducing speeds on Blossom Hill Road. While the morning commute may prove more challenging after the improvements are implemented, drivers may choose to avoid the area and find alternate routes to Los Gatos, such as Highway 85 thereby reducing vehicle volumes and enhancing safety further. Staff believes that the benefits of the Phase 1 Concept Plan - to provide continuous buffered bike lanes, move motorized vehicles farther away from bicyclists and pedestrians, and potentially reduce speeds along Blossom Hill Road to enhance traffic safety along the corridor - outweigh and mitigate the potential impacts of additional queuing. CONCLUSION: Staff recommends that the Town Council receive the project update and approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for final design. COORDINATION: This report has been coordinated with the Town Manager’s Office and Town Attorney’s Office. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff costs are tracked for all projects. Tracking of staff costs allows for accountability in the costs of the project, recovery of costs for grant funded projects, and identification of future staffing needs. This project will utilize both full-time budgeted and part-time staff. The costs for full-time staff are generally accounted for in the Department’s Operating Budget. With the approval of the Phase 1 Concept Plan by Council, construction for the project will be delivered with the FY 2022/23 Annual Street Repair and Resurfacing Project. Construction budget for the project shall be applied to the street repair project. PAGE 5 OF 5 SUBJECT: Receive a Project Update and Approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for Final Design DATE: November 21, 2022 FISCAL IMPACT (continued): ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is a project defined under CEQA as being Categorically Exempt [Section 15301(c) Existing streets, sidewalks, trails and similar facilities]. A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County. Attachments: 1. Phase I Concept Plan 2. Community Comments Summary 3. Public Comments Budget Costs GFAR $300,000 Total Budget $300,000 Hexagon Transportation Consultant - Traffic Safety Feasibility Study (completed)$48,410 Hexagon Transportation Consultant - Design $80,000 Design Contingency $8,000 Construction $158,590 Part-Time Staff Cost $5,000 Total Expenditures $300,000 Remaining Balance $0 Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project CIP No. 813-0239 This Page Intentionally Left Blank BLOSSOM HILL ROADCAMELLIATERRACE BLOSSOM HILL ROAD BLOSSOM H I L L R O A D CONCEPTUAL PLAN AUGUST 2022 NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION TOWN OF LOS GATOS DRAWING NO.SCALE CONTRACT NO. DESIGNEDDRAWN DATECHECKED PREPARED BY: HEXAGON TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC. 100 Century Center Court, Suite 501San Jose, California 95112Ph: (408) 971-6100 www.hextrans.com BLOSSOM HILL ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS CONCEPTUAL PLAN . QUICK-BUILD ALTERNATIVECHERRYBLOSSOMLANECHERRYBLOSSOMLANECHERRYSTONEDRIVEHILLBROOKDRIVE MATCH LINE A-A SEE BELOWMATCH LINE B-B SEE BELOWMATCH LINE A-A SEE ABOVEMATCH LINE B-B SEE ABOVEAttachment 1 This Page Intentionally Left Blank Attachment 2 Summary of Community Comments Received at the September 22, 2022 Community Meeting: - Community members emphasized hazardous traffic conditions and speeds on Blossom Hill Road and past traffic incidents including a pedestrian fatality. - Desires to see more permanent traffic safety improvements along Blossom Hill Road. - Concerns of cut-through traffic on side local streets due to lane reduction on Blossom Hill Road. - Concerns about how effective quick-build solutions such as green bollards and buffered bike lanes would be for bicycle and pedestrian safety. - Desires to see more permanent solutions to protect pedestrians, especially at corners of the signalized intersection. - More safeguard measures around the signalized intersection. - Traffic safety improvements along the corridor is long overdue. - With single travel lane each direction, longer queueing may increase bad and rash behaviors from drivers. - Continue working with the Safe Routes to School program closely on the project. - Add concrete pillars or other protective measures at the Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane intersection for pedestrian protection. - Eastbound Blossom Hill Road backs up at the signalized intersection during school drop- off and pickup times due to vehicles trying to enter the school. How to keep the signalized intersection clear when people are queuing to turn right into the school. - Lower the speed limit permanently. For some of the community concerns received, staff considered solutions that may be suitable for the Phase 1 implementation next year and other long-term solutions to be considered when funding becomes available. Table 1 summarizes what staff heard from the community and how it may be addressed (or why it cannot be addressed). TABLE 1: Summary of Community Concerns from Community Meeting on September 22, 2022 Community Concerns Proposed Phase 1 implementation in 2023 Potential Long-term Solutions (Require Additional Funding) Pedestrian and vehicle conflicts at the signalized intersection of Blossom Hill Road (BHR) and Cherry Blossom Lane (CBL). Enhance “No Right-Turn on Red” signage for northbound and southbound vehicular right turns. Consider modifying signal to provide pedestrian-only signal phase. Evaluate the configuration and operation of the signalized intersection to improve safety and reduce confusion. Consider eastbound and westbound protected left-turns. Attachment 2 “Pork Chop” free right-turn from eastbound BHR to CHL southbound. Install enhanced “yield to pedestrian” signage and pavement markings at the “pork chop” eastbound right-turn lane. Consider other quick-build options. Potentially replace the free right turn pork chop lane with signal controlled right turn lane. Replace pedestrian fence at northwest corner of the signalized intersection with more protective safeguard for students. Reduce the travel lane and introduce wider bike lanes through the intersection to create more buffer between pedestrians on sidewalks and vehicles. Construct wider sidewalks and bulb- outs; consider installing guardrail at the corner. Vehicular Speeding Eliminate one travel lane to reduce speeds. Speed surveys will be conducted after Phase 1 improvements to determine if lowering the speed limit can be justified. From: Kathy Kroesche <> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2022 5:05 PM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Blossom hill road 2 lane proposal EXTERNAL SENDER Dear Town Council, Regarding the proposal to narrow Blossom Hill Road to 2 lanes: My experience, living right by the two lane section above the school and park, being a cyclist and walking this road almost daily for 19 years, is that narrowing to two lanes does not slow traffic down. Theoretically it is supposed to, but I have not witnessed this. I need to see the data, but intuitively and initially, I don’t see this proposal benefitting the community. Somewhat unrelated, another expensive project in the same area was the parking lot that the town created for the park visitors which pushed pedestrians right next to the busy road. I avoid walking that strip of sidewalk most of the time. Cars often drive by so fast and it is only two lanes there as well. If this proposal reaches you, at this point I ask you to vote against it. Take care, Kathy Kroesche Sent from my iPhone Attachment 3 From: Raymond Markett <> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2022 9:12 AM To: Janice Chin <JChin@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Blossom hill road safety EXTERNAL SENDER Hello, I suggest painting well defined bike lanes on Blossom Hill Road from Harwood and Blossom Hill to Los Gatos Blvd. and Blossom Hill, in both directions. Best Regards, Raymond Markett From: Peter Murray <> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 10:24 PM To: Janice Chin <JChin@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Blossom Hill Road Safety project Update (CIP No 813-0239) EXTERNAL SENDER I am a resident of The Terraces of Los Gatos and live on the third floor of a building close to the intersection of Blossom Hill and Cherry Blossom. I hear and see the effected area. I share the concern for vehicle safety in the area. It is a challenging intersection in all respects. The primary traffic safety problem is excess speed in the area, caused by a few drivers who race from stop light to stop light at full speed. The proposed mitigation plan will be costly and not address that. Those drivers will speed multiple lanes or one, as your proposed plan envisions. Drivers are frustrated already and your proposed plan will only add to that. If bicycle safety is of primary concern might I suggest diverting them to parallel residential streets. In my view the only solution to the stated problem is strict enforcement of the existing speed limit posted. The increased cost of enforcement will be offset by the saved proposed plan cost. Pete Murray From: MJ Ali <> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2022 2:02 PM To: Joanne Justis <j >; Maria Ristow <MRistow@losgatosca.gov>; Nicolle Burnham <NBurnham@losgatosca.gov>; Carrie Cain <>; Rob Rennie <RRennie@losgatosca.gov>; Marico Sayoc <MSayoc@losgatosca.gov>; Laurel Prevetti <LPrevetti@losgatosca.gov>; Janette Judd <jjudd@losgatosca.gov> Subject: 25 MPH at BH road "when children are present" EXTERNAL SENDER Today was the Blossom Hill Elementary Halloween parade, and over 400 kids were on this road from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, and I was there for my kids. The speed limit on this road is 35 MPH (25 MPH when children are present). Many cars were speeding over 35 MPH when I was there. Unfortunately, there was no police officer in the street. There have been many crashes/accidents on this road. The cars ended up inside the school property and sidewalks after the crash. And There have been property damages and injuries for many years on this road. The recently proposed solution (paint on the asphalt and plastic cone on the side of the road) will not make this road safe for people. -Mehrdad On Oct 13, 2022, at 1:09 PM, MJ Ali <> wrote: EXTERNAL SENDER Dear Marico Sayoc, First, I appreciate you for giving the speech at West Valley College on Tuesday during the Iranian gathering for "Women, Life, Freedom." It means a lot that you are standing with the Iranian community against injustice and discrimination. And please let me introduce myself. I immigrated to the U.S. in 2002. The home and roots of my family have been at 957 Blossom Hill road since 2006. And my 12 years daughter, Jasmine, and my 9-year-old son, Sherwin, are growing up in our beautiful town. And Compared to my childhood, they live in heaven. When I was their age, and during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), we could barely have hot showers more than once a week. And I did much of my school homework under the light of candles or oil lamps. I missed over 1/3 of my elementary and middle school classes due to "shelter in place" and "air strikes." I was lucky enough to survive those air strikes by not being at the scene at that moment of the bumping. By 1989 when I entered high school, I could get expelled if I wore jeans, listened to music, or had a girlfriend. In 1993, when I entered college (Tehran University, 2nd top-ranked university in the nation), I was arrested multiple times by the "morality police" (long story). Since coming to the state, I received my Master's degree in Engineering and my California Professional Engineering license. In the last 18 years, I professionally contributed my design expertise to the building and construction industry in many cities and justifications in the bay area by practicing engineering and California Title 24. And since 2015, I have had an active business license for my home office. The two most significant investments of my life are my kids (Like any other parent). Jasmine is very talented and hardworking and, at the same time, humble. If you have any music app, please search for her name, "Jasmine Alipour." Her songs were composed by her during covid, and we recorded them in a studio last February. And you may not remember that we have talked at least twice in person. On Dec 13- 2016 (during the Transportation and Parking Commissioners interview) and on Jan 26- 2017, you visited BH elementary school. In the last 7 years (since 2015), I have brought my concern regarding the safety of my family. The number of conversations, discussions, and arguments I have had with LGPD, Town officials, and leadership (Matt Morelly, ...) is beyond anyone's time, effort and energy. It is disappointing that our safety is ignored. Many crashes and accidents at BH roads resulted in property damage, injuries, two fatalities, and MENTAL STRESS. There is not a week that I don't see road rage at BH road. All of these are within the school and park, advertised as a safe routes to school. The town's excuse for not improving the road is a lack of funds. I apologize for my rudeness, I lost all my faith in LG leadership. I am sure if our officials had fought for us, we would have had the funds by now to make the road safe. I am asking to present the issue one more time to the town leadership in a timely manner (not 3 minutes presentation). I know the new traffic study is done, and there is an improvement plan for summer 2023. It is the wrong solution to the problem we have at BH road within the school, park, and my residential neighborhood. I have gone through a lot of hardship in my life, and I am sure I will also go through the BH safety as well. I always look back and ask myself, what if our leaders have directed and helped us on the right path? What if our leaders meant what they said? Thanks for reading my email Regards Mehrdad Alipour cell From: MJ Ali <> Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 11:14 PM To: Rob Rennie <RRennie@losgatosca.gov> Cc: Joanne Justis <>; Maria Ristow <MRistow@losgatosca.gov>; Nicolle Burnham <NBurnham@losgatosca.gov>; Carrie Cain <> Subject: Re: Metal Lion Structures - NO THANKS! EXTERNAL SENDER Rob, (this message is from Mehrdad and the previous email was from Mehrdad too) I die every morning and every afternoon when my kids go to school and when they come back from school. I die every time we have guests or visitors that park on the curb. I die every time my parents come to my house and visit their grandchildren and park their car by the curb. Do you know why? Because the BH road is NOT safe, because many crashes happened on this road because people died on this road. So compared to your wasted 20 hrs per week, the quality of my entire life is wasted on BH road! On Mon, Oct 10, 2022 at 5:55 PM Joanne Justis <> wrote: But we've heard that for years Rob. You especially should be concerned about the residents safety and not make excuses for why the improvements cannot be made. Will it take another decade to see improvements? I'm not accepting your answer as it's no longer acceptable. Just in case you don't know, the Town council does not have a great reputation. Joanne On Oct 7, 2022, at 8:35 AM, Joanne Justis <> wrote: EXTERNAL SENDER Forwarded message is attached. Rob, Did all of the residents get to vote on those metal sculptures to be planted throughout the Town? They are an eyesore and cheapen the look of our traditional cat sculptures. I have to look at the sculpture on Lark Avenue daily and why anyone thinks spending money on such a project to change the look of our traditional cat sculpture is OK, is beyond me. It's bad enough that that Town misrepresented the North 40 project and now this. We want to start a petition to remove those sculptures. I was told when I called in that the residents were given the chance to vote on this project - I don't think so. Ryan Baker just replied to my email letting me know I can join a zoom call and voice my comments as if I would know to do this. My property was annexed from the county to LG and a "benefit" was for me to have a vote on projects in the Town. So far, I have not be notified of any happening but the truth is your website is so complicated, you would have to know what you are looking for in order to know what the Town is up to. Why would you spend any additional money around Town when you refuse to improve the safety of Blossom Hill Road? I was working with Matt Morley for three years to get the town to improve the road only to find out now that the Engineering department in August just started looking for funding, so we are starting all over again. There is not a lot of trust with the Town council because in the past, what you say and what you do have two different outcomes. I crossed in the walkway yesterday to go to the elementary school and the crossing guard was upset. Apparently his car was hit on BH Road last week and he said this road was so dangerous but could not understand why this has not become a priority for the Town. The bike lanes on Winchester are not an improvement. The traffic on Lark Avenue and going into Town are causing other problems, so decisions being made to this Town are not improvements. Just ask around. As Mayor, I'm sending you my comments because I would expect that you might care about what others are talking about. We need one way to know what projects you are proposing so we don't have to dig through your website where you have hidden important information that affects all of us. How often are you sending out a newsletter with projects listed? Joanne Post Help (/help/) · Guidelines (/neighborhood_guidelines/#guidelines) · Legal (https://help.nextdoor.com/s/legal) · Privacy (/privacy_policy/) About (/about_us/) · Jobs (/jobs/) · Press (/press/) · Blog (https://blog.nextdoor.com) Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information · Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information © 2022 Nextdoor Ho…(/news_feed/) Disc…(/discover) (/for_sale_and_free/?init_source=more_menu) Notifications20(/notifications) Messag…(/inbox) Did everyone in Los Gatos receive the notice from the Town of Los Gatos referring to the "BLOSSOM HILL ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY PROJECT UPDATE? (CIP NO. 813-0239) The plan is to change the 2 lanes east and 2 lanes west on Blossom Hill Rd., down to one lane on each side from Camellia Terrace to Hillbrook. They are planning to add lanes for bikes and pedestrians. I don't like this idea. The paper says "the traffic modeling predicts a modest increase in traffic delays when the Phase 1 Concept Plan is implemented. I wonder if these people use this road? The notice says "Alternative routes are available and drivers may choose to avoid the area". Los Gatos-Almaden Rd? Am I wrong? How do you feel about it? This will be presented to the Town Council at the December 6th meeting. Posted in General to Anyone See 64 previous comments (/profile/01YH2ZFJ7k9-xcPX8/?is=detail_author) Angela Pappanastos (/profile/01YH2ZFJ7k9-xcPX8/?is=detail_author) Kennedy North (/neighborhood/kennedynorth--los-gatos--ca? source=neighborhood_name) • Edited 18 Nov (/p/m9PLFffb-mLp? view=detail) 29 Like 169 Share Kim Hutsenpiller (/profile/019TmJcCtSxrrhZrJ/? is=detail_commenter) • Holland (/neighborhood/10holland--san-jose-- ca?source=neighborhood_name) Please fight this hard! These road diets have ruined many streets in San Jose. Bike lanes are mostly(99%) empty and the streets are clogged! (/profile/019TmJcCtSxrrhZrJ/? is=feed_commenter) 5 days ago Like Reply Share 4 Gunilla Gillberg (/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/? is=detail_commenter) • Kennedy North (/neighborhood/kennedynorth- -los-gatos--ca?source=neighborhood_name) The plan will be acted on at Los Gatos Town Council on December 6, 2022 meeting. Questions and input can be emailed to Janice Chin at Jchin@losgatosca.gov (mailto:Jchin@losgatosca.gov). What has not been taken into account is how much the suggested change will make traffic to flow to parallel streets like Shannon. Shannon appears from my walking much more preferred by school kids in all ages for walking, skate boarding and biking than Blossom Hill Rd. There are between Los Gatos Blvd and Cherry Blossom Rd many stretches on Shannon without even sidewalks. Paramedics trucks and ambulances will also be effected by the suggested change. Has the Fire station been consulted? I wish that it was a way to get this very engaged and concerned conversation on Nextdoor to the Los Gatos Council. (/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/? is=feed_commenter) 4 days ago Like Reply Share (https://nextdoor.com/hashtag/loveyourneighborhood/) (/news_feed/) Search Nextdoor Linda C. (/profile/01wyf79GMMTT3BB6M/? is=detail_commenter) • Los Gatos Main (/neighborhood/losgatosmain--los- gatos--ca? source=neighborhood_name) Gunilla Many of the town Council members read the conversations here but you could also print this as a PDF and email it to the entire town council. (/profile/01wyf79GMMTT3BB6M/? is=feed_commenter) 1 hr ago Like Reply Share Gunilla Gillberg (/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/? is=detail_commenter) • Kennedy North (/neighborhood/kennedynorth--los- gatos--ca?source=neighborhood_name) Thanks. Glad to know that they follow Nextdoor. Hopefully they will react. Gunilla (/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/? is=feed_commenter) Just now Like Reply Share Add a reply... Lisa Walker (/profile/01_qc94SWr742KR5c/? is=detail_commenter) • Doerr (/neighborhood/9doerr--san-jose--ca? source=neighborhood_name) It will be a nightmare! Check out Hillsdale Ave, SJ, worst idea ever. (/profile/01_qc94SWr742KR5c/? is=feed_commenter) 4 days ago Like Reply Share 1 Add a comment... -----Original Message----- From: Li Linying <lilinying.1993@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 10:20 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: In support of Blossom Hill road safety project To whom it may concern, This is Shengxuan Sun and Linying Li from 779 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. We want to support the plan to reduce speed on BH road. It helps to keep the kids safe and reduces the noise from the road. Best, Linying Li -----Original Message----- From: Gunilla Gillberg <elsagunilla.40@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2022 11:35 AM To: Janice Chin <JChin@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Proposed changes to Blossom Hill Rd Dear Ms Janice Chin The proposed changes have been met with an overwhelming no by the concerned residents on Nexdoor. The original listing has 169 responses. Please take these in consideration. I attach a few. Sincerely Gunilla Gillberg 800 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032 -----Original Message----- From: shelley gierat <shelleygierat@icloud.com> Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 12:12 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Blossom Hill reduce speed proposal for child safety Hello, I am in favor of the proposed plan to reduce the speed and traffic near Blossom Elementary school. I have witnessed 2 close calls and the outcome would have been devastating . Thank you Shelley Gierat The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence...Thich Nhat Hanh From: Susan Carter Anderson <ranchodelcarter@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 11:07 PM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Please approve the BH Road Safety Project Dear City Council Members, I am writing to urge you to approve the Phase 1 plan of the BH Road Safety Project by Blossom Hill Elementary. The incidence of near tragedies where children on their school commute are almost hit at the crosswalk or tiny bike lane is horrifying. The speed and careless behavior of drivers is a huge liability and this plan is a cost effective way to intervene. Please send it forward and mark it as a priority for implementation asap. It will improve safety for the children, as well as bike lane use on this road. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best, Susan Carter Anderson 775 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos From: Evan Carter <misterevancarter@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 11:01 PM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Blossom Hill Road Dear City Council, I am a Sophomore at Los Gatos High and have been crossing Blossom Hill Road at Cherry Blossom to get to school for the past 4 years. Several times I have almost been hit trying to cross the road at the crosswalk or use the bike lane. Cars go through red lights or are driving too fast to stop. I see little kids waiting for the crosswalk signal that get confused and start to walk into the street, so adults have to jump to pull them back from traffic. It's not safe. Please approve the Blossom Hill Road Safety Project so that it's easier to bike and get to school. My sister uses this crosswalk to get to Fisher and I worry about her too. Respectfully, Evan Carter