Verbal Comments - Ron Cassel October 2,2025
Ron's thoughts regarding items he wants to address in the Town Council meeting on October
7,2025.
- Good evening—
o Ron Cassel—resident 128 Magneson Terrace for 55 years—teacher at LGHS
for 33 years—rarely appearing before Town Council-
Lighting of Crosswalk—
o The need—
® We need a street light over the bus stop at the corner of Los Gatos
Blvd. (LGB)and Magneson Loop(ML)to effectively illuminate the
crosswalk parallel to LGB and perpendicular to the entrance of ML.
• More economical alternative:push button at each end of
crosswalk and illuminated buttons in pavement(like seen on
Hwy. 9 between Los Gatos and Saratoga)
• June 13th—I nearly hit a pedestrian in black clothing in the
unilluminated crosswalk(9:30pm) —he jumped back and I hit
the brakes in the face of accelerating oncoming northbound
traffic. This is not the first time for me to have this kind of
experience.
• I do not stand alone—please note—each person on ML and
Magneson Terrace that I approached about my concern has
voluntarily signed the petition you have in possession.
o Mike Vroman's Email of Thursday June 19,2025 (Parks and Public Works)—
unsatisfactory
■ Law of Physics—Light dissipates at the inverse square of the
distance. (Inverse Square Law)
• Light in front of A&M Motor has no effect on crosswalk clear over to
the opposite side of Los Gatos Blvd.
• See photo that accompanied Mike's Email.
- Additional Complexities to crosswalk—
o Vegetation in Median Strip-
• Vegetation in medium needs to be reconsidered—view of oncoming
traffic is limited by vegetation in medium just south of the ML
entrance.
■ It is known that residents in ML/Magneson Terrace(MT)have gone
to medium strip with"loppers"to reduce height of vegetation.
• Vegetation needs to be removed and replaced with low growing
plants—other median strips in the surrounding vacinity have NO
Vegetation—why should this median strip create this problem?
o Acceleration of vehicles northbound past Shannon Rd. on LGB.
■ Northbound oncoming vehicles are accelerating out of a 25mile zone
south of Shannon Rd. into a 35mile zone north of Shannon near
subject crosswalk at the entrance to ML. This makes a southbound
left hand turn across accelerating traffic—dangerous—particularly at
o "U"Turning near Shannon Rd. on LGB is legal for the southbound traffic.
• No sign prohibits a"U Turn"just north of Shannon Rd. on
southbound LGB. Therefore, it is legal to"U Turn"
▪ anow northbound and coming at you as a motorist leaves the left turn
lane and is crossing northbound traffic and entering ML.
o Turning right off of Shannon Rd. onto northbound traffic on LGB.
• Often,motorist ignore the sign, "no turn on red"and turn on a red
light anyway as they turn right from Shannon Rd onto LGB. Then
they accelerate as they are headed north on LG Blvd.--this creates
additional complexity of making a left-hand turn from southbound
LGB. into ML.
•
- Speed bumps on Shannon Rd.—recently installed
o Additional traffic coming through ML to avoid one speed bump on Shannon.
We now need a speed bump on ML to slow traffic avoiding speed bump on
Shannon Rd.
Additional issues:
- Fence on northeast corner of LGB and ML
o Motorists'at stop sign in ML-their view is severely shortened in distance at
time of oncoming potential hazardous traffic is about to cross at a higher rate
of speed than"just walking"southbound:
• Electric bicycles
• Electric skateboards
• Illegal bicycles travelling on sidewalk-
• Joggers/Runners
o Fence needs to be reduced in height to see over it and vegetation needs to be
cropped to a lower level or removed.
- Yoga Source—an establishment for exercise enthusiasts—
o Yoto Source attendees in vehicles leaving out of an alleyway adjacent to
Yoga Source often illegally cross LGB at an angle against southbound traffic
to join the northbound traffic on LGB. Signs needed to prohibit this illegal
move.
- History of crosswalk—
o Jaws of Life was used in 2005 to remove passengers from accident vehicle
adjacent to subject crosswalk area. (King family—mother and adult son)
We know the cost of a street light would be expensive. What would be the cost to the Town if
a lawsuit ensues as a result of this crosswalk issue? If an extensive accident occurs at this
intersection because of poor illumination,and I am called to testify—who's side of the case do
I give my deposition?
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Action Needed
Regarding Crosswalk entering Magneson Loop,from Los Gatos Blvd
Petition to Town Council
June 30, 2025
The undersigned are concerned regarding the lighting of the crosswalk entering
Magneson Loop (ML) from Los Gatos Boulevard (LGB). There have been
several "close calls" with pedestrians in the crosswalk, often wearing dark
clothes, as the motorist makes the left hand turn from southbound LGB onto ML.
We, the undersigned on Magneson Loop and Magneson Terrace, believe there
should be improved lighting for that Magneson Loop crosswalk or at least
flashing lights in the pavement controlled by a push button on the sidewalks
leading to the crosswalk before a serious injury or fatality occurs.
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Action Needed
Regarding Crosswalk entering Magneson Loop from Los Gatos BlvcL
Petition to Town Council
June 30, 2025
The undersigned are concerned regarding the lighting of the crosswalk entering
Magneson Loop (ML) from Los Gatos Boulevard(LGB). There have been
several "close calls" with pedestrians in the crosswalk, often wearing dark
clothes, as the motorist makes the left hand turn from southbound LGB onto ML.
We, the undersigned on Magneson.Loop and Magneson Terrace, believe there
should be improved lighting for that Magneson Loop crosswalk or at least
flashing lights in the pavement controlled by a push button on the sidewalks
leading to the crosswalk before a serious injury or fatality occurs.
Printed Name House# Si. ature Date
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Please let me know if you have any questions and if you would like to meet onsite after dark.Thanks again for your
patience and understanding.
Best regards,
- Mike Vroman,T.E. , Senior Traffic Engineer
IP-` -`
arks&Public Works Department•41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030
ash Ph:408.399.5777• mvrornan[a�losgatasca.gov
- www.losgatosca.gov•https://www.facebook.com/iosgatosca
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From:Janice Chin<JChin@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Monday,June 16,2025 12:38 PM
To:Michael Vroman<MVroman@losgatosca.gov>;Gary Heap<GHeap@losgatosca.gov>;Tyler Thomas
<Tf hom as @ losgatosca.gov>
Subject:Dark Pedestrian Crossing at LGB/Magneson Loop
Hi all. Ron Cassel (128 Magneson Loop, 408-857-4622, ron784(Wverizon.net)came into the counter again
today. He previously came in this year to discuss the dangerous pedestrian crosswalk situation when you're
turning from LGB onto Magneson Loop. He mentioned that it's dark, it's unsafe, there are sight issues,and
that he wanted a streetlight or flashing beacons.When he came in last time,the bushes in the median were
trimmed but he said that it wasn't enough. He wants to talk to someone and to meet someone out at the
location at night. I gave him your cards to start an email conversation since I wasn't sure if it was an
engineering or maintenance issue.
Janice
6
Ron Cassel
From: Ron Cassel <ron784@verizon.net>
Sent: Thursday,June 19, 2025 2:41 PM
To: 'Michael Vroman'
Subject RE: Dark Pedestrian Crossing at LGB/Magneson Loop
Michael:
The issue regarding the foliage in the median, I noticed it was taken care of promptly and that certainly was a
help. Thanks for seeing to that. I_still think the choice of plants would have been better with lower growing vegetation
in the original planting. It would not have to be monitored and/or prompted for trimming by a landscaper.
I remember the phone conversation. The light across on the west side of Los Gatos Blvd.does not do a sufficient enough
job illuminating the crosswalk we are discussing. It just doesn't. In your first picture below,the light from the building
helps when it is on;however,that light from a residence is not dependable to be on. When people wear black or grey
clothes and once it is dark,the driver of a car turning into Magneson Loop has a problem seeing that person in the
crosswalk. The issue the other night, I saw the pedestrian,the pedestrian saw me turning and jumped back. That
person recognized the problem the darkness presented and luckily—so did I!! On other nights,the motorist has to
spend extra time to make sure no one is in that crosswalk before crossing into Magneson Loop when it is dark. I have
brought these incidents to the attention of Jim Harbin several years ago when he was Superintendent of Parks&Public
Works—certainly in the interim time period between then(several years ago)and now,my concern should have risen to
somewhat of a priority level to be addressed. That apparently didn't happen. Essentially, nothing has been done since-
regarding lighting or some kind of improvement since you and i conversed—I think we both agree to that?? 'I do not
remember the portion of the conversation as to why lights couldn't be installed in the pavement with a pushbutton for
crossing. I thought it was still a potential option when we left that phone conversation.
The problem is complicated by the irregular corner of Shannon meeting LGB. Not all people wait for the light to turn
green as they come off of Shannon,turning right onto Los Gatos Blvd. If they then speed up(and they do)this creates
an urgency for the southbound person turning left from LGB onto Magneson Loop. That feeling of urgency doesn't
help. Yes,the speed limit is 25 mph south of Shannon&LGB on LGB;however,with anticipation,the motorist
southbound on LGB is increasing speed because they know that north of Shannon they can go 35mph and often are
speeding up to 40+-you may say,"No Way," but having lived in this area for 55 years, I've seen it—too often.
Michael I will wait for a response regarding my Email above....Perhaps,then a meeting between the two of us would be
in order.
Ron Cassel
128 Magneson Terrace
Los Gatos,CA
From:Michael Vroman<MVroman@losgatosca.gov>
Sent:Thursday,June 19,2025 1:08 PM
To:ron784@verizon.net
Cc:Janice Chin<JChin@losgatosca.gov>;Gary Heap<GHeap@losgatosca.gov>;Tyler Thomas
<Trhomas@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: FW:Dark Pedestrian Crossing at LGB/Magneson Loop
Good afternoon Mr.Cassel,
1
Thanks for coming to the Engineering-Building again this Monday,June 16th,and bringing your concerns regarding
pedestrian safety crossing Magneson Loop at Los Gatos Boulevard after dark to our attention.As you mentioned to
Janice, our Assistant Engineer,this Monday and also on Wednesday, February 26,2025,you almost hit a
pedestrian crossing Magneson Loop on Tuesday evening, Feb 25,2025 while making a southbound left-turn from
Los Gatos Blvd onto Magneson Loop.You also noted in February that it was difficult to see northbound oncoming
vehicles white making the southbound left turn because of the foliage in the median.
I reviewed your concerns Wed,February 26 after dark(see photo below)and spoke with you on the phone that
Friday, Feb 28th at M 4:30 pm for approximately 30 minutes.I explained that we would have the foliage in the
median trimmed,there is an existing streetlight across from Magneson Loop on the western side of Los Gatos Blvd
(see below), but that the Town has no money budgeted for new street lights and no future CIP project for new
street lights is planned at this time.We also discussed pedestrian crossing lights(flashing beacons)and why they
would not be recommended at this location.I also told you that we would consider installing a high visibility
crosswalk on Magneson Loop at LGB, but there is a long list of other recommended locations that are part of the
Town's Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan 2020 Update and insufficient funding to address all recommended
locations this year. I would be happy to meet with you and walk this area to see if there are any other measures
that may enhance safety in this area.
2
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