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Desk Item 14 Staff Report Winchester Boulevard/Daves Avenue Traffic Studyt MEETING DATE: 09/04/01 ITEM NO. DESK ITEM COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2001 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN UNCIL FROM: TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: WINCHESTER BOULEVARD/DAVES AVENUE TRAFFIC STUDY A. RECEIVE CONSULTANT'S REPORT ON ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS B. DETERMINE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE AND DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED WITH DESIGN RECOMMENDATION: Accept the attached email from Mr. Mike Abkin regarding the Winchester Boulevard/Daves Avenue Traffic Study. This email was received after the Council agenda packets were distributed. Attachment: Email from Mike Abkin dated September 4, 2001 PREPARED BY: Les Interim Parks & Public Works Reviewed by: . Attorney Finance Revised: 9/4/01 2:56 PM Reformatted: 5/30/01 N:\B&E\CNCLRPTS\Wnchester-Daves.desk.wpd Millie Sperath - desk item-winchester 9-4-01.wpd Page 1 Re: e-mail received from Mike Abkin regarding the Winchester/Daves Traffic Study The following e-mail was received from Mr. Mike Abkin after the Council packet was distributed. It concerns the Winchester Boulevard/Daves Avenue Traffic Study. ("Mike Abkin" michaelabkin@atac.com & "Mike Abkin" mikeabkin( iearthlink.net) For Agenda Item #14 September 4, 2001 To: Los Gatos Town Council From: Mike Abkin Subject: Agenda Item #14 -- Winchester Boulevard Developments Background: Danger and Opportunity Winchester Boulevard issues are coming to the fore and heating up in many segments of the boulevard. In addition to pedestrian safety at the Daves Avenue intersection and elsewhere, there's the Sobrato and VTA plans, the proposal to make Winchester one -lane in both directions, the residential character of the boulevard as a whole, Elks Club development, the assisted living care home proposal, and what to do with the town property at the Lark Avenue corner. This complex of issues present both danger and opportunity for Los Gatos and calls for their being looked at in an integrated, comprehensive way. Looking at Daves Avenue alone will not suffice in the long run. The Sobrato R&D office park development proposed for the north end of Winchester Boulevard (between Route 85 and Knowles Drive) is a case in point. The danger is of it becoming Los Gatos' own mini Coyote Valley Cisco fiasco — an intense, piecemeal development with little or no provision for transit or housing to support it and not well integrated into the character of the town -- a tantalizing revenue generator that will end up costing us more in services, traffic, pollution, and general loss of quality of life than it will ever bring in. The opportunity is juicy in that it brings together several related issues at once: town character, traffic, transit, housing, and, of course, the unspoken factor lurking behind all these issues — growth. This project serves as a spur for us to envision as a community what it is we do want in that part of town. R&D office fits very well the General Plan land use designation for the area, although the intensity of the Sobrato project would far exceed what the General Plan or the zoning codes allow. The General Plan also says that the land use designation will change to high -density housing at such time as funding is secured to bring the Vasona Light Rail line down to the Winchester - Route 85 junction. Sobrato, to its credit, is working with Town staff to come up with a project that combines the !Millie Sperath - desk item-winchester 9-4-01.wpd Page 2 R&D office use with housing and integration with the light rail. Meanwhile, VTA reports that forces are moving politically and financially in the region that may enable Vasona Light Rail funding to be secured sooner than previously thought. The only problem there is that VTA envisions our station to be a regional park -and -ride station with parking for up to 200 cars. VTA, to its credit, has indicated to the Town a willingness to downsize that vision. Meanwhile, Los Gatos is under pressure to do more to help meet regional affordable housing needs. No doubt about it. Housing affordability is the number one social issue in this Valley, driving away teachers, store clerks, public servants, nurses, nonprofit social service professionals, and our own children who cannot afford to make their lives in the communities they have grown up in. The real culprit, though is unplanned, unrestrained, unbalanced growth. More jobs (such as Sobrato and Cisco are proposing) bring more people, who bring more traffic and more demand for housing, which drives up the cost of housing. We can build all the housing we want, but without attention to the jobs growth side of the equation, it will never be enough. To no one's credit, nobody (other than some environmental groups and a few brave elected leaders) is questioning the myth that we must grow or die and that we can't do anything about growth, anyway. My Recommendations So where are the opportunities in all this for Winchester Boulevard and Los Gatos? Here are some ideas and recommendations from my own perspective. . A Winchester Boulevard Plan — Maybe we should take the issues there not as coincidences but rather messages telling us that a piecemeal approach will not serve us. Some years ago we as a community came up with a Los Gatos Boulevard Plan. Perhaps it is time to do likewise with the westside boulevard, a cooperative effort of both Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, that looked comprehensively at the whole stretch from the northern town boundary at Vasona station (Knowles and Parr) down to Blossom Hill — land use, circulation and street design, light rail, transit -oriented urban design, etc. . Vasona Light Rail — We must ensure that VTA and everyone else thinks of this not as the "end of the line" but rather as a local stop along the way. The original agreements for construction of Route 85 reserved the freeway median for future mass transit. It is important for light rail to come to Vasona as a step toward continuing it along Route 85 eastward to complete the circle with the Guadalupe line, perhaps someday even extending westward to De Anza College and beyond. In the meantime, the median can be used for busways. If Vasona is not the end of the line, then a regional park -and -ride would be better placed further up Winchester in the area of the San Tomas/Camden/Highway 17 interchange. The only access facilities we need at the Vasona station are a small local parking lot (maybe 50 cars at most), bike lockers, and passenger loading/unloading zones for townwide shuttles and regional buses. . Jobs and Housing Cap — We must resist pressures from the growth -addicted lemmings in Sperath - desk item-winchester 9-4-01.wpd Page 3 the region to join them in rushing headlong off the cliff. Why would we willingly transform ourselves into a traffic -snarled, affordable housing bedroom community to support unrestrained jobs growth elsewhere that we have no control over? Rather, we can be a positive role model for growth that is balanced with infrastructure capacity and serves the quality of life aspirations of our people. Before allowing several hundred Sobrato jobs and dozens of new housing units to be concentrated in that area (whether transit oriented or not), let's step back and take a look at just what the job -housing balance is within the town already. Are we out of whack? Do we really need more jobs in Los Gatos? More housing? More affordable housing does not need to mean more housing in total — only a different mix of housing. Under current zoning, if every potentially developable residential lot were developed (and we are close to that point now), how many new homes would there be? What would be the population of Los Gatos then? Once we find out those numbers, then perhaps we can put into the Town code a cap on the total number of jobs and population (or, more practically, on the number of dwelling units, except for annexations of county pockets) we envision for the town. Other cities and counties do it. Why not us? Whether you agree with all these ideas or not, they are at least fodder for public discourse. Working together, Sobrato, other interested developers, VTA, town planners, and members of the community can create something that is a win -win for everyone in Los Gatos and a role model for others. Town Council Minutes September 4, 2001 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 2001 (05A.V) Ray Davis, resident, stated that his words were misquoted in the minutes and asked that this situation be rectified and that the clerk accurately report what he has to say. Motion by Mrs. Decker, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council approve the Joint Town Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes of August 20, 2001, as submitted. Carried by a vote of4 ayes. Mr. Blanton was absent. MINUTES OF AUGUST 27, 2001 (05B.V) Ray Davis, resident, stated that the clerk makes generic comments out of his statements and he will raise this issue at each meeting until his words appear in the minutes as he expressed them. Motion by Mrs. Decker, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council approve the Joint Town Council/Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting and Study Session Minutes of August 27, 2001, as submitted. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Blanton was absent. ELLENWOOD AVENUE 59/TREE REMOVAL/APPEAL (07.15) Mayor Pirzynski announced that this was the time and place so noted to consider an appeal of the decision of the Planning Commission denying a Tree Removal Permit. Tree Removal Permit T-01-007. Property Location: 59 Ellenwood Avenue. Property Owner/Appellant: Bob and Jeanne Moore. Mr. Attaway recused himself from this item. The following people from the audience spoke to this issue: Jeanne Moore, 59 Ellenwood Avenue, asked for the opportunity to speak to council, and showed the appeal form that she had received. She explained that she had been told her appeal would be heard on September 17`h and asked that Council reconsider the action it had taken on August 20th and readdress her appeal at another time. Ray Davis, resident, asked that Council make the decision to reconsider this evening. Council Consensus that Council would put this item on the consent calendar September 17`h to reconsider the option of hearing this appeal at a later date. This decision causes no action on Item 7 this evening. WINCHESTER BOULEVARD/DAVES AVENUE TRAFFIC STUDY (14.40) Mayor Pirzynski announced that this was the time so noted to consider the Winchester Boulevard/Daves Avenue Traffic Study; to receive the consultant's report on alternative traffic safety improvements; and to determine preferred alternative and direct staff to proceed with design. Larry Perlin made presentation to Council and delineated what the next steps should be in proceeding with traffic calming in this vacinity. Peter Eckland, Senior transportation Engineer with CCS Planning & Engineering, Inc. of San Jose, showed maps, speed surveys and traffic counts which were approximately 19,000 cars passing in a 24 hour period of time. The capacity of Winchester in that location is about twice that amount. He also made presentations about islands, highlighted bike lanes, flashing lights on 25 mph signs and a traffic light. Mr. Glickman asked what is the traffic flow was when children were not present. Mr. Eckland answered that signal works when a car approaches on side street. He noted that the greatest safety is offered by the traffic signal. The intersection is warrented for a signal where there are children crossing, and where it can protect the bike lane. It also warns people that they are entering the downtown where the speed drops to 25mph. TC:D 13:MM090401 9 Town Council Minutes September 4, 2001 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California WINCHESTER BOULEVARD/DAVES AVENUE TRAFFIC STUDY/CONTINUED The following people from the audience addressed this issue: Phillip Levine, 15813 Poppy Lane, lives near the intersection and noted that adults also need to cross this intersection . He asked that Council try crossing this intersection on foot some time and to also try a left hand turn by car. He submitted a report from San Jose describing LED's, imbedded pavement flash light systems. Jim Mellema, MD, 17269 Verdes Robles, spoke about speed on Winchester, and the residents who live in this area. He asked that sidewalks be considered on Winchester. Mark Brodsky, 17306 Grosvenor Court, spoke to the flashing lights in the road that will stop and slow down the traffic at the intersection. He brought a presentation showing how close cars come to people as they are attempting to cross the street. Greg Malley, 17250 Buena Vista Ave, asked for lane reduction with a median, and for sidewalks on Winchester. Bryan Mekechuk, 17509 Via Sereno, asked for a phased approach starting with the 2nd phase first,.before the light is put in. Ray Davis, resident, spoke about the intersection and the need to make the intersection safe for the kids. MEETING CONTINUED PAST MIDNIGHT Motion by Mrs. decker, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to continue this evening's meeting past midnight. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Blanton was absent. Marc Jensen, Monique Jensen, Bryce Jensen, 120 Oak Rim Way #1, spoke about the intersection. Siri Lackovic, 17541 Daves Avenue, lives on the corner of Winchester and Daves Ave. She does not want a light on her corner, and she would prefer the second phase with a narrower street. She presented two submissions on poster board. Ken Marchbank, 17540 Farley Road West, asked that all the alternatives for traffic mitigation be reviewed first before a signal is placed on that corner. He asked that a 25 mph zone be enforced, and he showed some overheads. Doug McNeil, 17413 Pleasant View Ave., presented overheads and analysis of several ways of dealing with issues at this intersection. Mr. Perlin spoke concerning Winchester as a main arterial in Los Gatos. Council Comments: Mrs. Decker noted that the people who addressed this issue were not receptive to a traffic light but favored many of the alternatives that were suggested. She addressed the fact that the Town is responding to the neighbors and the neighbors do not appear to be pleased with this proposal. Mr. Attaway asked for alternative two in the staff report. Mr. Pirzynski asked how to get kids across that intersection safely and believes that signalization is needed to control the traffic. Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to install a traffic signal and mid lane median for safety. Motion failed with 2 ayes. Mrs. Decker and Mr. Attaway voted no. Motion by Mr. Attaway, to adopt Option 2, which is a pedestrian activated crossing. The pedestrian arrives at the crossing and pushes the button; the lights start flashing; motorists observe the activity and stop or slow down to allow the pedestrian to cross; when kids are present, and during school hours, the crossing guard would activate the lights; other modes of wiring could also be used along with a median island and other enhancements in advance of the crosswalk. Motion dies for lack of a second. TC: D 13:MM090401 10 Town Council Minutes September 4, 2001 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California WINCHESTER BOULEVARD/DAVES AVENUE TRAFFIC STUDY/CONTINUED Mr. Glickman suggested that everyone knows what a red light means, but will they know what these flashing yellow light signify. The kids safety must come first. Will the drivers understand that they are to stop. Mr. Pirzynski asked that Council decide where it wants to go and then wait until Monte Sereno makes a decision, at which time Council will finalize its position. Los Gatos will take the lead as three of the four approaches to the intersection are in Los Gatos. Mrs. Decker stated, for the sake of moving this item along and getting something done, that she is willing to vote for signalization for the safety of the children, with the caveat that further study regarding a traffic signal be completed. Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council look at traffic signal, mid lane median and islands for safety. That the light operate when school is in session and remain green most of the other times until sensor activated. That there be full signalization of the intersection, with the mitigation of the islands, and consideration in the future of finding ways in which to reduce the width of that section of road up to Vineland. To also eliminate the 35 mph zone between Blossom Hill and Daves Ave. in the north bound lanes. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Blanton was absent. TOWN POSITIONS/2001 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES RESOLUTIONS (15.28) Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council approve the recommended Town positions for nine resolutions to be considered at the League of California Cities (LOCC) annual conference on September 12-15, 2001. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Blanton was absent. MANAGER MATTERS There was no discussion this evening. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mrs. Decker, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to adjourn this evening's meeting at 12:58 p.m. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Blanton was absent. ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove Town Clerk TC:D 13: MM090401 11