Item 15 Staff Report Consider Report Regarding 3-Way Stop Sign at College Avenue and Main StreetDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
February 25, 1999
MAYOR AND TOWN CQUNCIL
TOWN MANAGER
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MEETING DATE: 3/1/99
ITEM NO.
1�
CONSIDER REPORT REGARDING 3-WAY STOP SIGN AT COLLEGE AVENUE AND
MAIN STREET
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider report regarding 3-way stop sign at College Avenue and Main Street
DISCUSSION:
On February 1, 1999, Council directed staff to install a 3-way stop at the intersection of College Avenue and Main Street
on a trial basis. Staff contacted Town Traffic Engineer, Mark Wessel of Willdan Associates, for an approved stop sign
design, and he is currently preparing a design. Issues include sight distance and potential removal of some existing
parking spaces. A preliminary design and engineering recommendation will be presented for Council's consideration
for the public meeting on March 15, 1999. With Council acceptance, the stop signs could be installed in 2 to 3 weeks
after approval.
Mr. Wessel, however, recommends stop sign design and installation not take place at this time. He recommends that
Council consider stop sign installation after the completion of the Downtown Traffic Operational Study. This study has
already been carefully planned for this May and June, by the Planning Department, to coincide with the completion of
several major construction projects downtown. The study already plans to analyze this intersection.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is a project defined under CEQA, but is categorically exempt under section 15301.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No budget adjustment is required. This work will be funded from current Operating Budget.
Attachments:
1. Letter from Susan Kankel dated February 13, 1999
2. Memo from Mark Wessel dated November 9, 1998
Distribution:
Parking Commission
Mark Wessel, Willdan Associates
PREPARED BY: SCOTT R. BAKER
Director of Parks and Public Works
N:1B&EICNCLRPTSIYIL-PAG4. WPD
Reviewed by: 1* Attorney
finance Revised: 2/25/99 4:42 pm
Reformatted: 10/23/95
99 Reservoir Road
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Feb. 13, 1999
Los Gatos Town Council
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Dear Council Members:
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vr,P R T^WN
I read with interest the article in the Feb. 10 issue of the Weeklyconcerning two situations of
concern to my neighborhood. The first item was a proposal for one-way streets between
College Avenue and the library; the second item was a three-month trial for stop signs at the
intersection of College avenue and Main Street.
I agree that more parking spaces are needed in this area, and the creation of some fifteen new
ones is a sound idea. I would like to encourage you to consider the one-way direction to flow
from College down Villa then down Pageant. As a resident who uses both Villa and College to get
to Main Street, I want to point out the limited vision to drivers which occurs at the present stop
at Clelland when proceeding onto Villa to College. It is difficult to see traffic approaching from
the right at this stop, and the idea of having traffic approaching only from the left would make this
a much safer intersection. Might I remind you that in addition to the residents of Clelland Avenue
and Reservoir Road areas who use this intersection, we also have all of the parents of the
Montessori School at Casa Maria. These parents make make two daily trips on Reservoir Road
for the morning and afternoon sessions, creating additional traffic for the Clelland/Villa
intersection. Creating a one-way street on Villa directed from College to Pageant would make
this intersection safer for numerous drivers.
I applaud your decision to try a three-way stop sign at the corner of College Avenue and Main
Street. This will certainly make it safer for those of us who must enter Main Street from College
Avenue.
I appreciate your consideration of my comments as you study this matter.
Si erely,
Susan Kankel
cc: Mark Wessel
Attachment 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Bud Lortz, Assistant Planning Director
FROM: Msul Mark Wessel, Town Traffic Engineer
DATE: November 9, 1998
SUBJECT: Downtown Traffic Operations Study Scope
There has been much interest in what downtown traffic conditions will be like following full
occupancy of the Old Town project, which is expected to occur early in 1999. Accordingly,
the Town would like to have a study conducted to provide a snapshot view of traffic
operations in the downtown area. This study will be based on a combination of
quantitative field measurement and qualitative observation, and will attempt to describe
current operating characteristics of the circulation system. The scope of work will be as
follows:
1. Traffic Counts and Delay Measurements
Weekday morning (7:00-9:CO a.m.) and afternoon (4:00-6:00 p.m.) peak hour
turning movement counts will be conducted at the following intersections:
•
•
Santa Cruz Avenue - West Main Street
Santa Cruz Avenue - State Route 9
University Avenue - West Main Street
University Avenue - State Route 9
Los Gatos Boulevard - State Route 9
In addition to turning movement counts, actual delay studies will be conducted
during one of the peak periods at each of the study intersections. Although these
studies are labor intensive and not practical for typical traffic impact studies, they
should provide a better picture of actual operations because they will measure
vehicle delay directly. For each approach of each intersection, stopped vehicles
will be tabulated at 15 second intervals. This will provide the data necessary to
calculate total delay and average delay values.
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Attachment 2
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lY VVJJY IJC�a,)r'r JA 0
2. West Main Street - College Avenue Traffic Control Evaluation
Although this intersection satisfies certain traffic signal warrants, further evaluation
will be conducted in an effort to determine actual need for a traffic signal or all -way
stop signs. This evaluation will include measurement of peak hour delay and
observation of intersection sight distance and traffic movements.
3. Evaluation of State Route 9 at Santa Cruz Avenue and University Avenue
Existing signal timing and coordination timing will be requested from Caftans and
will be reviewed to determine if modifications might improve traffic flow. In addition,
accidents, turning volumes, and delay will be evaluated to determine if north -south
left turn phasing is warranted and/or recommended at the University Avenue
intersection. Finally, the eastbound merging/weaving area east of University
Avenue will be observed to qualitatively determine the degree of congestion and
identify potential improvements.
4. Additional Field Observation
The signalized intersections will be observed in an effect to identify factors that
affect operation performance. These factors could include vehicle queuing, delay
caused by buses, pedestrian traffic, parking, blockage of turn lanes by through
traffic, etc.
5. Additional Analyses
Levels of service will be determined for the signalized study intersections previously
identified based on both traffic counts and delay studies. This will provide levels of
service based on two different methodologies, which may be useful for comparative
purposes. Notes of other field observations will be reviewed and evaluated for
safety concerns and congestion problems. Recommendations, as appropriate, will
be developed.
6. Written Report
Based on field observations, traffic counts, and other data collected in the field, a
written report will be prepared. In addition to summarizing the results of the LOS
calculations and delay studies, the report will present and discuss the field
observations, conclusions, and recommendations.
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7 Meeting Attendanca
The report will be presented at one Town Council meeting. Attendance at
additional meetings can be provided for additional compensation.
8. Optional Services
In addition to the focus on signalized intersections previously described, other
downtown areas can be observed as an optional service. The purpose of this effort
would be to conduct a qualitative evaluation of traffic flow patterns and operations.
For instance, an effort would be made to identify locations where significant delays
or queues cause obvious traffic diversion to other streets cr through private
property. Motorist behavior would be observed to determine if delays appear to
contribute to unsafe traffic movements. The extent to which vehicle queues block
streets and driveways would be observed, as would the extent to which buses tend
to cause delays, diversion, cr unsafe movements. An attempt would also be made
to observe any congestion associated with unsatisfied parking demand. Although
this scope does ,net include a fcrmai parking study, downtown parking lets would
be observed oc :asicnally to gain a feel for occupancy rates and any correlation
with on -street congestion. Ingress/egress and circulation in the immediate vicinity
of Old Town would also be observed.
Other specific locations to be observed would include the following:
•
Massol Avenue - State Route 9. The extent to which traffic flow impedes left
turns and causes motorists to execute a right turn / U-tum combination would
be observed.
West Main Street - Montebello Way. The extent to which buses delay traffic
or cause diversion would be observed.
West Main Street - Jackson Street and Loma Alta Avenue. Although these
intersections satisfy certain traffic signal warrants, additional evaluation
would include measurement of peak hour delay and a field review of traffic
movements, sight distance, intersection spacing, and potential signal
operation.
Santa Cruz Avenue - Broadway. Traffic queues, turning movements, and
compliance with traffic controls would be observed and any appropriate
recommendations for modifications would be developed.
The written report would be expanded to summarize the additional observation and
conclusions. It is emphasized that the goal of this portion of the report would be to
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provide an operational snapshot of the downtown area. Although significant effort
will be made to collect and analyze quantitative data for the signalized
intersections, the remainder of the work would be focused on more qualitative
aspects. This means that many hours would be spent making observations to
identify traffic patterns, interactions, trouble spots, and potential improvements.
The report would provide a corresponding combination of quantitative and
qualitative findings and conclusions.
9. Schedule and Fee
The draft report can be provided within six weeks following authorization to
proceed. The lump sum fee for the basic services will be $24,000. The optional
services, as well as additional field work andlor evaluation deemed appropriate by
the Town following completion of the draft report, can be provided on a time and
materials basis using Willdan's standard fee rates for a not -to -exceed fee of $9,000.
8470069• -,tea
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Town Council Minutes March 1, 1999
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
DOWNTOWN PARKING IMPROVEMENTS/PAID PARKING/FINANCING CONT.
The following people from the audience spoke to this item:
Paid Parking:
Sue Farwell. 121 Laurel, spoke about paid parking which was promised in 1987. In favor of a
parking assessment or other form of paid parking, only if it is accompanied with strict guidelines
for its use to pay for the parking structures in the downtown and the assessments do not appear
in the general fund, and a definite termination clause when the parking has been paid for.
Shirley Henderson, 98 W. Main, is in favor of paid parking in the garages but adamant about
not having parking meters on the sidewalks.
Margaret Smith, 40 N. Santa Cruz, spoke about research by the Urban Land Institute concerning
paid parking in smaller towns and found that retail was not as successful as those towns that did
not have paid parking. Thought must be given to problems that will be caused by having paid
parking such as ingress and egress for delivery trucks. There is a willingness to have some form
of paid parking but consensus has not been built yet.
John Tice, 570 University, spoke against paid parking, noting that there are studies showing that
the business community is often hurt when paid parking is initiated.
Sandy Decker, 45 Glen Ridge, noted that a parking structure would take the parking impact out
of the residential neighborhoods and bring it to the downtown where it would enhance the
business community. Pointed out three revenue sources: 1) Town funds identified for building
one garage. 2) Business community forms an assessment district for building a second garage.
3) Paid parking used to generate a revenue stream for future parking needs.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Mayor Hutchins noted that the considerations were over and Council would proceed as rapidly
as possible with structure plans and financing options.
COLLEGE AVE & MAIN/THREE WAY STOP SIGN (15.39)
Mayor Hutchins stated that this was the time and place duly noted to consider report regarding
3-way stop sign at College Avenue and Main Street.
Scott Baker, Director of PPW, addressed the issues noting that a design has not been received
from Mark Wessel but it should be ready by the March 15th meeting. At that time there will
be a public discussion concerning the design and operational study.
Art Bonner, noted that a portion of the hill that makes use of this intersection had not been
noticed. He would like Cleland, Kimble and Reservoir roads noticed. He spoke about the
compression of traffic at the stop sign at Pleasant and at the Loma Alta stop sign where a traffic
light had been promised. He asked for a traffic light instead.
Sister Niki Thomas, 200 Prospect Ave., spoke about poor drivers on the hill who are elderly and
living at retirement homes. She favored a traffic light at the location.
Council asked that consideration of a traffic light be addressed in the consultants report.
TC:D11:MM030199
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