2000-133-Authorizing The Town Manager To Submit The Attached Application For A Safe Routes To School Grant To Develop And Implement A Traffic Calming Speed Reduction Plan For Winchester Boulevard InRESOLUTION 2000 - 133
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE ATTACHED
APPLICATION FOR A SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT
TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A TRAFFIC CALMING/SPEED REDUCTION
PLAN FOR WINCHESTER BOULEVARD IN THE VICINITY OF DAVES AVENUE
WHEREAS, funds are available to eligible applicants under the Safe Routes to School
Program to perform a traffic study that would identify appropriate traffic calming and speed
reduction measures for Winchester Boulevard in the vicinity of the Daves Avenue intersection,
and for construction of the recommended improvements (the project).
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos
that the Town Manager is authorized to sign and submit the attached application (Exhibit A),
together with all necessary supporting documents, to Caltrans for a Safe Routes to School Grant
for said project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos, California, held on the 6t' day of November, 2000, by the following vote.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Randy Attaway, Jan Hutchins, Linda Lubeck, Joe Pirzynski,
Mayor Steve Blanton.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
gu:ct
--
CLERK OF "THE TOWN OF OS GAT
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
Local Assistance Program Guidelines EXHIBIT A
Application Form
APPLICATION FORM
Mll
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM FUNDS
APPLICANT: (City of or Countyof.) Town of Los Gatos
SCHOOLDISTRICT: Los Gatos Union School District
SCHOOLNAME(S):_ Dav .G Avenue F1 mentary School
CALTRANS DISTRICT: 4 CHP DIVISION: 340
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS:. Engineering study to
develop traffic calming/speed reduction plan for Winchester
Blvd., and implementation/construction of plan
GENERAL LOCATION OF PROJECT: Winchester Blvd. in Town of Los Gatos,
1/4 mile north and south of Daves Avenue
PROJECT COSTS: Preliminary Engineering
Environmental ........................ $ 2 , 5 0 0
PS&E.................................. 5_2 2 , 500
Right -of -Way ....................................$ 0
Construction
Construction ........................... s250,000
Construction Engineering .......... $ 5 , 0 0 0
Other (please list) ............................... $
Total Project Cost .............................. $ 2 8 0, 0 0 0
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD DATE: July 1, 2001
The following parts of this Application Form request specific project related information. Some of the sections
request the applicant to prepare maps or other documents that contain specific information. Other sections contain
questions that the applicant can simply answer in the space provided. If a section does not apply to the proposed
project or if data is not available, simply write "not applicable (N/A)" or "data not available (DNA)", respectively,
beneath or near the question heading or subheading.
02/10/00
Local Assistance Program Guidelines F.}CHMrr A
Aoolication Form
SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS
The following information may be acquired by a student survey taken on a typical school day. Attach the survey,
the data, and its summary, if available.
Number of students at the school........ 5 6 8
Age range of students at the school'................................Ayr— 9mo to 11 yr
Number of students that walk to school .......................... 8 q; = 46
Number of students that bike to school ................0............ 4 % = 23
Number of students that take a bus to school ..................... 0 % — 0
Number of students driven to school with parents or others..... _ 8 8 % = 502
Number of cars used. to drive students to school' .................. 370
Percentage of students living within 2 miles of school............ 8 0 %
The survey might also be written to answer questions 2, 3, and 5 below:
1. Does your project involve the improvement to an "existing" walking or bicycling route?
Yes -Z— No (If no, skip to Question # 4)
2. If yes, how many students currently use this route to walk or bicycle to school? 12
3. How many students will use this route after the improvements are made? Unknown
4. Does your project involve the creation of a "new" walking or bicycling route?
Yes _ No-2L_ (1f no, Soto next Section) Not anticipated, but may.
5. If yes, how many students will use thismuteupon its completion? N / A
Note: This survey is a suggestion, not a requirement. Some projects may not requite a student trip survey to
justify an improvement. For other projects, a survey will help demonstrate the need for a project and assist
participants in prioritizing a host of other proposedimprovements. The survey will also help the Project Review
Committee prioritize projects on a statewide basis. Be assured that a large school will not be automatically ranked
higher than a small school simply due to the "gross number of students attending the school or using a specific
route to school.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
Provide a detailed, narrative description of the problem. Describe the breadth/scope of the population at risk and
the population to be served by the project. Include primary population (students) and secondary population
(parents, school employees, neighbors, community, etc.). Discuss resources, financial and otherwise, that have
been identified to correct the problem, but were not secured, or were insufficient.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SOLTMON
Provide a detailed, narrative description of the proposed solution. Describe options or alternatives that were
considered. Discuss how the proposed alternative is the best, most cost effective solution to the problem.
' The number of cars used gives an indication of traffic at the school. As well, it provides an indication of air
pollution reduction potential with the improvement of walking and biking conditions.
02/10/00
i
Local Assistance Program Guidelines EXHIBIT A
Aonlication Form
SAFETY INDEX CALCULATION
As stated in Section IV - Project Categories, 25% of the SR2S funding will be targeted specifically for locations
that have a poor accident history. Projects that have documented accident reports can calculate a Safety Index
using the following formula:
Safety Index = [(A•B) + (C*D)VE where
A = Number of pedestrian or bicycle fatalities in the pasta years
B = Total comprehensive value of a fatality ($2,710,000)
C = Number of pedestrian and bicycle injuries in the past 3 years
D = Total comprehensive value of an average injury, ($51,656)
E = Total Project Cost
Projects submitted for Safety Index funding must attach a listing of pedestrian and bicycle injuries sustained by
students of the school on their trips to and from school during the past three years. Diagrams indicating the
approximate location and date of each accident is desirable. Accident information beyond three years may also be
attached, if it provides more compelling evidence of a problem. However, only the last three years of accident
history may be used in the formula.
Remember, even if the project does not "make the cut" for Safety Index funding, it will automatically be moved to
the Work Type Improvement funding category. Hence, all applicants are. encouraged to continue to complete this
application in its entirety.
SAFETY INDEX - N / A
WORK TWE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
All applicants should prepare an application that contains the following project information. This information will
assist the Project Review Committee in prioritizing Work Type Improvement projects.
Describe how the project might reduce the potential for child injuries and fatalities. Include information on:
• Potential safety hazards that are being corrected, removed or replaced as part of the project
• Measures taken to reduce motor vehicle speeds, congestion, and traffic violations
• Measures taken to reduce the exposure of pedestrians or bicyclists to vehicles
• Measures taken to provide more protection for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Measures taken to attract pedestrians and bicyclists
• Measures taken to redirect motor vehicles to alternate routes
• Measures taken to remove barriers along the route that inhibit pedestrian and bicyclist travel
Attach a map of the school and nearby surrounding area that identifies the route(s) being proposed for
improvement. Please identify any existing and potential safety hazards along the route(s). Safety hazards to look
for are:.
• Lack of, or unsafe sidewalks
• Lack of, or unsafe bikeways
• Lack of street lighting
• Lack of pedestrian -activated crosswalks and signals .
• Non standard sidewalks, bikeways, crosswalks, traffic signals, traffic signs and traffic stripes, etc.
• Excessive speeding by vehicles
• Continuous encroachment of vehicles into a walkway or bikeways
• Poor separation of vehicular traffic from pedestrian traffic
10
02/10/00
Local. Assistance Program Guidelines EXHIBIT A
Application Form
• Locations with a history of actual, or perceived, conflicts and/or accidents
• Locations that pose a "barrier" to pedestrian/bicycle travel
• Other
Identify the participants that were involved with the development of the project. Also, provide a list of
organizations that were contacted and support the project. Attach letters of support, if available. Groups,
associations or organizations to contact include, but are not limited to:
School basedassociations (such as PTA, student associations)
Traffic engineers (city, county, state, and federal)
Elected officials
Law enforcement agencies
School officials
Other community groups (walking and bicycling groups)
Other neighborhood groups
Others
California Highway Patrol Approval (if required)
(Signature)
(Signing Officer's Name and Division)
Project participants may also want to providecommentson a variety of other factors not identified above. The
following are general considerations that may warrant additionai explanation by project participants:
• Existing groups that have convened in the past to address this or similar problems.
• Existing Pedestrian or Bicycle Master Plans that have been prepared.
• Discussions on the opportunities to partner or leverage existing resources with SR2S funds
• Preferences and practices that have emerged from existing transportation plans or community/school surveys
• Checklists or surveys from "Walk a Child to School' Day events
• Petitions submitted by students, parents or community groups
Agency: Town of Los Gatos School Name: Dawes Avenue Elementary
Agency Official: Les White School Official: Mary Ann Park
Name Name
Signatuue Signature
Title:. Interim Town MnQr. Title: Superintend'ant
Phone Number. (4 0 8) 3 5 4- 6 8 3 2 Phone Number. (4 0 8) 3 35 - 2 0 0 3
Email lwhite@town.los Email: park@1gusd.k12.ca.us
gatos.ca.us
1' I
02/10/00
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
The intersection of Winchester Boulevard and Daves Avenue lies mostly within the Town of Los Gatos
limits, with the western leg of the intersection (Daves Avenue) lying within the City of Monte Sereno.
Winchester Boulevard is a major thoroughfare consisting of two northbound lanes, one southbound lane, a
shared turn lane, bike lanes ineachdirection, and, intermittently, a parking lane on one or both sides of the
street. Crosswalks exist across two legs of the intersection. Currently, the intersection is not controlled by
stop signs or traffic signals (see Attachment "A" for schematic, aerial photos, and location map). The
posted speed limit along Winchester Boulevard to the north of Daves Avenue is 35 mph. The posted speed
limit to the south of Daves Avenue is 25 MPH. "25 MPH when Children are Present" signs are posted on
Winchester Boulevard north and south of the intersection.
Winchester Boulevard has become a popular bypass for Highway 17 commuters during commute hours due
to its generous width, lack of congestion, and long distance' between controlled intersections. This bypass
has become increasingly popular in recent years as traffic on Highway 17 has worsened and is only
expected to get worse. The Town of Los Gatos has both explored and attempted various measures to
reduce the number of motorists cutting through town and to reduce their speeds, but has had little success
thus far. One such measure has been to have the police department place a radar speed trailer on
Winchester Boulevard and increase enforcement of posted speed limits. The police have found that
between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., approximately 1,000 vehicles pass through this intersection and
that the average speed for a six -hour period is 34.3 MPH, with the highest at 67 MPH on one occasion.
Between January 1, 1998 and November 25, 1998, more than 450 citations were issued with more than half
of those -for speed violations.
Nearly 570 children attend Daves Avenue Elementary School in Monte Sereno, approximately one -quarter
mile west of the intersection. Approximately 12 children per day who walk to school cross Winchester
Boulevard. A crossing guard posted at the intersection has provided some measure of safety for students
and other pedestrians. Although the crossing guard has helped, the situation there is still perceived by
many to be too unsafe for children walking and riding to the school. It is reported that motorists often
ignore the crossing guard's stop sign and speed through the crosswalk. Due to the conditions at this
intersection, most parents will only drive their children to school. As a result, this has exacerbated traffic,
circulation, and safety problems in the immediate vicinity of the school. Should the pedestrian safety
concerns at the intersection of Daves Avenue and Winchester Boulevard be addressed, the problems on the
streets surrounding the school would become less severe.
The Town of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno have received many phone calls and letters from
concerned parents of children who attend Daves Avenue Elementary School, from members of the
community, and from officials of the Los Gatos Union School District (see Attachment "B") urging them to
take the necessary actions to improve the safety of the intersection. On October 25, 2000, the Los Gatos
Weekly Times published an article regarding this issue (see Attachment "C"), which will 'inevitably result
in increased pressure from the public to make the intersection and surrounding areas safer, such that a
greater number of children can walk and/or bicycle to school.
To summarize the problem, Winchester Boulevard, with its high traffic volumes, plus high speed of
vehicles, (see Attachment "D" ), plus generous width, plus the crosswalk used by young children who walk
to school, lluus, the absence of any traffic calming measures, equals a condition that is perceived by many to
be too great a hazard for school -age pedestrians and bicylists. Due to this condition, most parents choose to
drive their children to school, which then results in significant traffic problems in the immediate area of
Daves Avenue Elementary School.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SOLUTION
In response to the growing community involvement, the Town of Los Gatos, City of Monte Sereno, and
Los Gatos Union School District have agreed to form a partnership to address the problem. The three
agencies, with the Town of Los Gatos serving as the head agency, are requesting funds to improve the
existing situation. Once funds are secured, an engineering study will be conducted to determine the most
appropriate solutions. Several solutions may exist which will alleviate the problem. The identified
potential solutions to be explored are:
• Traffic calming and speed reduction, which may include: neck downs, sidewalk bulbouts, raised
crosswalks, raised intersections, narrowing lanes, medians, etc.
• Traffic control devices, which may include: new traffic signal with pedestrian -activation and possible
pedestrian -only phases, traffic signs, traffic stripes, bicycle -sensitive signal actuation devices
■ Sidewalk improvements, which may include: widened sidewalks, sidewalk gap closures, curb cuts, etc.
Once the appropriate solutions are identified, the Town of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno will
coordinate efforts to buildthem.
Afterwards, a follow-up study will be performed to assess their effectiveness in creating a safer situation at
the intersection of Daves Avenue and Winchester Boulevard, and to determine changes in the travel habits
of students who live east of Winchester Boulevard. The percentage of students who currently are driven to
school by parents is expected to significantly decrease once the intersection is made more pedestrian and
bicycle friendly.
The construction cost projections have been calculated based on the more expensive of the potential
solutions, which is the installation of a traffic signal. If the preliminary engineering study indicates a more
appropriate and less expensive solution, then that alternative would be pursued.
ATTACHMENT A
Schematic, Aerial Photos, and Location Map of
Winchester Boulevard and Daves Avenue Intersection
Daves
Avenue
Farley Road
West
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MrSID Viewer
,a
bR.^✓. f '� )a .Tk.. yr�TfjY;',+" Ni,.. .Fy.'fi'i
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ATTACHMENT B
List of Involved Groups, Associations, and Organizations
with Letters from Community and! Local Officials
LIST OF INVOLVED GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
The following groups, associations, and organizations have had involvement in the safety problem at
Winchester Boulevard and Daves Avenue:
• PTA
■ Traffic engineering consultant studying traffic -related issues at Daves Avenue Elementary School
■ Elected officials
• Monte Sereno: Mayor and City Council Members
■ Los Gatos: Mayor and Town Council Members
■ Law enforcement agency: Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department
■ School officials
Mary Ann Park, Superintendent: Los Gatos Union School District
Stephen Parsons, President: Los Gatos Union School District Board of Trustees
■ Susan von Felten, Daves Avenue Elementary School Principal
■ Members, Board of Trustees
■ Daves Avenue Elementary School parents
■ Local newspaper: Los Gatos Weekly Times
Selected letters from those involved are included on the following pages.
LOS GATOS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
MARY ANN PARK, SUPERINTENDENT
15766 POPPY LANE n LOS GATOS n CALIFORNIA n 95030-3228 n TEL (408) 335-2000 n FAX: (408) 395-6481
October 1, 2000
Mr. Brian Loventhall, City Manager
City of Monte Sereno
18041 Saratoga -Los Gatos Rd.
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
RECEIVED
OCT 16 2000
CITY OF MONTE SERENO
Subject: Safety of Daves Avenue School Children Crossing Winchester Blvd. and Farley Rd.
Dear Mr. Loventhall:
As Superintendent of the Los Gatos Union SchoolDistrict, I am responsible for the safety of
nearly 2800 children attending schools in our District. In particular, I and the Board of Trustees
are greatly concerned about the traffic conditions and safety issues surrounding the intersections
of Farley Rd., Winchester Blvd., and Daves Ave.
Nearly 570 children attend Daves Avenue School at 17770 Daves Ave., many of whom walk
across those intersections daily on their way to and from school. Our safety concerns are further
heightened by the Planned Development PD 99-1 on Farley Road and the impact that
development will have on traffic and safety problems that already exist at those intersections.
The intersection of Daves Ave. and Winchester Blvd has experienced increased traffic volume
over the last few years. Studies conducted along Winchester at the pedestrian crossing at Daves
Ave. show that close to 1,000 vehicles per hour cross that intersection. Along with the increased
traffic at that intersection has come increased speed by motorists traveling on Winchester Blvd
Traffic speed radar monitors placed along Winchester Blvd. in September clocked speeds of over
40 MPH in an area _with a posted' "25 MPH when Children are Present." The planned
construction of an office building (PD 99-1) on Farley Road West will only further increase
traffic at these intersections, adding to the unsafe conditions that already exist.
Crossing Winchester has become very dangerous for pedestrians and even for motorists, with cars
attempting to turn left or right from Daves Ave. onto Winchester in heavy, fast. traffic. With
drivers' attention focused on making a turn onto Winchester Blvd from either Daves Ave. or
Farley Road West, it would be very easy to miss seeing a small elementary student attempting to
cross Winchester or Farley Rd West.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: n STEVE QJCKMAN n STEPHEN PARSONS
n ANDF IEW FANEIJ n THOMAS P. O'DONNELL n DOROTW ROUSE
City of Monte Sereno Page 2
The crossing guard posted at the corner of Daves Ave. and Winchester Blvd. has provided some
measure of safety for students crossing Winchester. However, with the increased traffic and the
speed at which motorists travel on Winchester, a crossing guard may no longer be able to provide
the level of safety needed.
We respectfully request that a safety study be conducted by the Town at Farley, Winchester and
Daves Ave., and that installation of a three way traffic control device_ like the one at Los Gatos
Blvd., Roberts Rd. and Shannon Rd. near Fisher Middle School, be considered before Planned
Development PD-99-1 is completed. Louise Van Meter. and Blossom Hill elementary schools
and Fisher Middle School all have intersections with traffic controls on busy streets to protect
students as they come and go from school. It is now time for the same protection of Daves
Avenue School students.
Thank you for your careful consideration of this important safety issue. We look forward to
hearing frein you soon.
Sincerely,
Mary Park, Superintendent
Los Gatos Union School District
a�
Stephen Parsons, President
Los Gatos Union School District Board of Trustees
MAP:dd
c: Susan von Felten, Daves Ave. School Principal
Members, Board of Trustees
Doug McNeil, Daves Ave. School Parent
September 30, 2000
Ms. Trish Duarte
Senior Engineering Technician
Parks and Public Works Department
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Subject: Planned Development PD-99-1
As a parent of a child attending Daves Avenue Elementary School and a
resident along Winchester Boulevard near Daves Avenue, I would like
to share with you my concerns regarding this proposed development. I
was contacted by other homeowners and parents in the area regarding
the impact this development would have on Winchester Boulevard
traffic and, more specifically, on the intersection of Daves Avenue and
the Winchester Boulevard crosswalk. I was regretfully unable to attend
the Planning Commission hearing on August 9 due to business travel. I
would, however, like the Planning Commission to consider the unsafe
conditions that exist at this location prior to moving forward with this
project. Your attention and response to these concerns will have an
impact on the safety our school children utilizing the crosswalks at the
corner of Winchester Blvd. and Farley Road West. A letter was
presented to the Planning. Commission from local homeowners with a
similar request (see item 1, Exhibit H) on August 7.
For the past two years my wife, daughter and baby son have accessed
the crosswalk at Winchester Boulevard adjacent to Farley Road West, to
walk my daughter to school. My wife, in addition to other concerned
parents, has commented on the increased traffic volume and unsafe
traffic conditions that exist at this intersection. Having dropped off my
daughter on a few occasions, I can personally tell you that navigating
traffic through this uncontrolled intersection during peak commute hours
can be very challenging.
On the mornings of September 18 and 20, I parked my car on
Winchester Blvd. and monitored both North and Southbound traffic to
gain first-hand knowledge of the volume, speed and general traffic
conditions that exist in this location. I was specifically interested in
observing this intersection at the time students would be walking to
school and using the crosswalk during commute traffic (from 7:45 to
8:45 am - school starts at 8:20).
I was surprised to find that the volume of traffic crossing the .pedestrian
access along Winchester Boulevard was close to 1000 vehicles per hour
(approximately 583 vehicles northbound and 403 southbound). Traffic
speed radar monitors were placed along Winchester Boulevard, both
North and South bound adjacent to Dave's Avenue (between Daves
Avenue and Bruce Avenue) during the week of September 18. I was
shocked at the number of drivers with speeds clocked at over 40 MPH.
The average speed during the time I was observing traffic was 38 MPH;'
in a zone with a posted speed of 25 MPH when children "were" present:
(This data was consistent to the last traffic "Speed Spot" data traffic
study conducted by Los Gatos in 1996). These monitors were in plain
view of the drivers; however, most made no attempt to slow down upon
noticing these units.
I found the driver's observation of posted speed limits analogous to the
situation facing the children and parents trying to cross Winchester
Boulevard, where commuters were reluctant to provide the "Right -of -
Way", to slow down, and to stop at the crosswalk. The, crossing guard at
this location informed me, "The crosswalk is blown through at least
twice a week by drivers who are unwilling to wait for the pedestrians to
cross". I personally watched one small girl my daughter's age attempt to
cross Winchester Boulevard. She had to run for the curb when a driver
braked and skidded to a stop at the last minute. After watching this, I
asked other parents crossing their children that morning whether they
had experienced this before. They responded, " It's like this everyday of
the week". One mother told me that they had formed a chain of adults
across Winchester Boulevard one morning to stop traffic in order to
provide right-of-way to children walking on a field trip.
During an average school year over 5,000 cars a week, or approximately
200,000 cars a year, will pass though this intersection during this
morning hour, driving at an average speed of 38 MPH with little regard
to pedestrian traffic. I would expect the traffic to increase as a function
of the growth in Santa Clara valley. An article in the Mercury News on
September 29 says it all, "Safety study says protection for pedestrians in
Bay Area is scanty, cars take priority The main point of this article
highlighted the structural problems that plague sprawling, fast growing.
cities which promotes development, but tragically deals with the
secondary effects of pedestrian deaths as a result of poorly planned
developments.
Van Meter Elementary, Blossom Hill Elementary and Fischer Middle
School all have controlled intersections strategically located near the
entrance to each school on busy streets with successful results --- why
not Dave's Avenue? In response to this issue, Monte Sereno Mayor
Suzanne Jackson has requested your participation in the "Safe Routes to
School Grant along Winchester Boulevard. In addition, the
Superintendent of Schools, Mary Ann Park, is also aware of this concern
and recently received approval from the School Board to request your
attention on this matter.
I believe yet another new traffic hazard will be introduced into this
intersection as a function of new development on Farley Road West.
This development will result in additional vehicles turning into and out
of Farley Road West, bisecting the crosswalk on Winchester Boulevard.
This will also introduce a new problem with inadequate turn access for
vehicles traveling North and turning on Dave's Avenue and traffic
traveling South turning left in the same location on Farley Road West.
This too small lane is already dangerous, as each direction vies for its
use. If it backs up with multiple cars turning onto Farley Road West to
get to the. new development, these cars, will be stopped across the
crosswalk in question. Also, parents trying to get to school will not have
access to this lane in order to turn onto Daves Avenue. This additional
traffic will place children and parents crossing Winchester directly in
front of drivers turning left and right to gain access to the Proposed
Development without the aid of any controls or additional safety
enhancements. I was disappointed to find that the traffic study
performed in May (TJKM Project No.021-032) made no reference to the
intersection in question.
Today, we have a crosswalk, traffic signs and speed limits that fail to
provide or address safe pedestrian access across Winchester Boulevard
for the children of our community. I appreciate the issues and budget
considerations facing the Planning Commission at this time and
respectfully request you accommodate the request to further study traffic
conditions as a result of this development. I appreciate the "due
diligence" the city must follow to justify the cost of doing this study,
however.I believe this is the first step toward correcting a serious
problem. Let's jointly address this issue before it's too late to save the
life of an innocent child. With the current traffic volume we have a
dangerous situation. With the additional traffic created by new
developments, this situation becomes critical and potentially fatal.
Until this issue is addressed, we do not support Planned Development
PD-99-1. I will be present on October 25 to hear your recommendation
to the parents of Daves Avenue Elementary School.
Regards,
Douglas and Sheryl McNeil
17413 Pleasant -View Avenue
Monte Sereno, California 95030
CC.
Susanne Jackson, Mayor Monte Sereno
Steven Blanton, Mayor Los Gatos
Mary Ann Park, Superintendent of Schools
TOWN OF Los GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Cmc CWa
PHONE (408) 399-5770 110 E. MAW Stxssr
FAx (408) 399-5763 P.O. Box 949
Los GATw, CA 95MI
October 13, 2000
Douglas and Sheryl McNeil
17413 Pleasant View Avenue
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
RE: 17435 and 17443 Fartev Road (PD-99-1)
Winchester Boulevard Traffic Safety Issues
Dear Mr. and Mrs. McNeil:
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed letter (copy enclosed) expressing your concerns abouttraffic safety
issues for pedestrians, especially children, on Winchester Boulevard at the intersection with Daves Avenue. As you are
aware, this is a complex issue, some of which need to be addressed as part of the proposed project and some of which
needto be addressed by the City of Monte Sereno, the Los Gatos Union School. District and the Town of Los Gatos,
working cooperatively. Fortunately, there may be an opportunity to develop a cooperative approach through the Safe
Routes to Schools Program administered by the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), and the Los Gatos
Town Council will be specifically discussing this at their meeting on November 6.
Your letter has been forwarded to the Town's traffic engineering firm, TJKM Transportation Consultants, to comment
on those issues related to the project, as you stated on pages three and four of your letter. We are unsure if TJKM will
be able to respond to those issues by the Community Development Department's deadline to be included in reports for
the October 25, 2000 Planning Commission meeting. However, your letter will be included as an exhibit to the report
for that project.
The more pressing issue, as you stated in your letter, is speeding and not stopping for the crossing guard at Daves Avenue
and Winchester Boulevard. This situation must be addressed separately from the project. Since the situation exists now,
the proposed project is not the cause of the problem and therefore, by current statutes, cannot be required to correct the
problem. The project developers can only be required to contribute to the cost of any proposed improvements, based
on their share of traffic through the intersection. That requirement can be made a condition of approval of the project.
However, if the project does not go forward, there would be no contribution to any corrective measures that would be
installed at the intersection. This is another reason to address the project and the school: crossing issue separately.
As you plainly saw, all the signs in the world do not make people obey the speed limit. This problem can be handled
in several different ways. --One of the fast things that can be done is to increase enforcement activities in the area. WIth
some types of traffic violations, enforcement can be very effective. This may not be the case with the section of
Winchester Boulevard from Blossom Hill Road to LarkAvenue. Its generous width, lack ofcongestion and long distance
between signals subconsciously encourages motorists to speed. Ifthe traffic signs in the area are adequate, other forms.
of traffic control may be required
The two most common Types of traffic control are "Stop" signs and traffic signals. There are benefits and drawbacks
to both. However, before the Town can install either a three-way stop at Daves Avenue and Winchester Boulevard or
a traffic signal, a study must be conducted. 'Me Califotnia Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has several criteria,
known as "war an& that must be met befom either should be installed. Of course, the Town Council has the authority
DVbxw:MULMTRiSHUEn'ERS%MCNEILWRD
Page 2
Douglas and Sheryl McNeil
Re: 17435 and 17443 Farley Road
October 13, 2000
to authorize the installation of either measure, even if they are not "warranted." Fortunately, there are separate warrants
that are used to evaluate school zones, making it easier to install stop signs and traffic signals in those areas.
If you have additional questions concerning this project, please telephone me at (408) 354-6860 or e-mail me at
tduarte@town.los-gatos.ca.us.
Sincerely,
TRISH DUARTE
Senior Engineering Technician
LIP:TD
cc: Mayor Suzanne Jackson, City of Monte Sereno,18041 Saratoga -Los Gatos Road, Monte Sereno, 95030
Superintendent Mary Ann Park, Los Gatos Union School District, 15766 Poppy Lane, Los Gatos, 95030-3228
Susan von Felton, Principal, Daves Avenue School, 17770 Daves Avenue, Los Gatos 95030
`Gary Kruger, P.E., TJKM Transportation Consultants, 4234 Hacienda Drive, Suite 101, Pleasanton, CA 94588-
2721
Mayor Steve Blanton
Les White, Interim Town Manager
Sandy Baily, Associate Planner, Community DevelopmentDepartment
Sgt. David Gravel, Los Gatos -Monte Sereno Police Department
DVSZ V4:%B&E1TRISHUZ TERSWCNEILWPD
X
Subj: Safe Routes to School Grant & 17435 Farley Road West.
Date: 10/2/00 1:30:00 PM Pacific Daylight Tlme
From: dmcneii@cisco.com (Doug McNeil)
To: msplan@aol.com
CC: Pduarte@town.los-gatos.ca.us
File: Letter to City of Los Gatos-Duarte.doc (27136 bytes)
DL Time (33600 bps): < 1 minute
Brian Loventhal, City Manager Monte Sereno,
Hello,
I talked with you two weeks ago regarding the traffic concerns with Dares
Are. and Winchester Bird. I%e included a copy of my letter (addressed to
Trish Duarte, Senior Engineering Technician, Los Gatos Parks & Public Works
Department) for your records regarding the proposed Los Gatos Development
(17435 Farley Road West, PD-99-1) which will further impact the traffic
situation at this location.
Since our discussion on September 18, 1 asked Mary Ann Park, Superintendent
of Schools to support me In also providing a letter to the City of Los
Gatos for which she has received approval from the school Board. I'm also
working with the school to distribute and collect Petitions from the
parents at Dare's Elementary for presentation on October 25th. I also spoke
with Councilmember Jack Lucas on this subject. This morning, a group of
Dares Avenue Elementary School parents/ concerned citizens staged' a protest
at the intersection to raise community awareness, slow down traffic and
help children safely cross Winchester Bird. The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno
police departments also participated in providing citations to many of the
drivers not complying with the speed limit. I videotaped a few minutes of
this mornings events for public record.
I did CC a copy Of the letter to Suzanne Jackson Mailed today (10/2). In
the interest of time, Iwas wondering if you could forward a copy to her
in support of her letter and upcoming presentation to the Los Gatos City
Council.
Any other ideas or recommendations you may have to help improve conditions
at this intersection would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Doug McNeil
Dares Elementary School Parent & Monte Sereno Resident
17413 Pleasant View Avenue
Monte Sereno, Calif.
408-399-6900
CC.
Mary Ann Park, Superintendent of Los Gatos Schools
Trish Duarte, Senior Engineering Technician, Los Gatos Parks & Public Works
Department
Headers
Retum-Path: <dmcneil@cisco.com>
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Mon; 02 Oct 2000 16:30:00 -0400
Wednesday, October 04, 2000 America Online: MSPlan Page: 1
Mayor: Suzanne E. Jackson
Vice -..Mayor: Barbara Nesbet
Councilmember. Joel Gambord
Councilmember. Gordon Knight
Councilmember: Jack Lucas
July 25, 2000
Los Gatos Town Council
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032-6904
City of Monte Sereno
RE: Winchester traffic engineering study
Dear Mayor Blanton & Honorable Councilmembers;
City 'Manager: Brian Loventhal
City Clerk: Andrea Chelemengos
Finance Officer. Sue UHeureux
Building Official: Howard'T. Bell
The Monte Sereno City Council respectfully requests that the Town of Los Gatos jointly evaluate
and improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic along Winchester Boulevard. Specifically,
the 'Monte Sereno City Council proposes to jointly obtain an engineering study to evaluate the
traffic flow andsafety along Winchester Boulevard between Lark Avenue and Blossom Hill
Road.
The Monte Sereno City Council also proposes that both councils pursue grant funding from the.
Safe Routes to School program to evaluate/improve the Daves Avenue and Winchester
,Boulevard intersection. The heavy use of this intersection by children walking to/ Daves
Avenue School combined with the traffic volume and speed on Winchester Boulevard creates a
concern for the safety of pedestrians of both communities. To address this concern,'Monte
Sereno City Council proposes that our respective communities conduct a joint traffic
engineering study for this intersection and consider the installation of traffic control devices. A
copy of the Safe Routes to School grant application is enclosed with this letter.
The Monte Sereno City Council respectfully requests the Los Gatos Town Council to take the
following actions:
1. Approve a joint engineering study to evaluate vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic
along WinchesterBoulevard between Lark Avenue and Blossom Hill Road;
2. Approve a joint grant application for the Safe Routes to School program to improve
pedestrian safety at the Daves Avenue and Winchester Boulevard intersection.
Thank you for your consideration.
Suza6he Jackson,
Mayor
CC: Interim Town Manager
18041 'SARATOGA-Los GATOS ROAD MONTE SERENO. CALIFORNIA 95030-4299
TELEPHONE: 408.354.7635 HTTP://NN-1%,N'.I,I0ITESERF.NO.ORG F.-\csISIILE: 408.395.7653
o c
POL/CfDEP,l/IfNl/IEMOr�,9NDU/I
111017te1eieflo
TO: BRIANLOYENTHAL DATE: MAY3,1999
MONTE SERENO CITY MANAGER
FROM: LARRYJ. TODD
CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT. WINCHESTER TRAFFIC SURVEY
Over the past severalmonths, many concerns have been expressed about traffic on Winchester
Boulevard. These concerns have ranged from the numbers of cars passing on the street, to the speeds
of those vehicles, and to motorists failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk at Winchester
Boulevard and Daves Avenue. The Police Department has responded to each ofthese concerns through
the efforts ofboth patrol officers and the motorcycle traffic officer, providing traffic enforcement where
appropriate.
The Police Department also undertook a survey of the area, placing its radar trailer on Winchester
Boulevard near Daves Avenue, the site with the most complaints. The primary purpose of this effort
was to gauge the number of cars passing through that area, ,with a secondary purpose of gathering speed
data. The trailer was deployed on several different dates both in the northbound and southbound
directions: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 (southbound) Tuesday -Thursday, March 16-18, 1999
(northbound); Wednesday, April 7, 1999 (southbound). The summary sheets of each of those dates is
attached.
During the deployment on January 12, 1999, there were 6,602 vehicles that traveled southbound
through the area. The single highest hour for traffic was from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m., with 767 vehicles. Peak
traffic activity occurred between the hours of 5 p.m. and' 7 p.m., with 1,481 vehicles. The second
greatest period of activity occurred between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., with 1,293 vehicles; between the hours
of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., there were 1,014 vehicles. Clearly those six hours, with a total of 3,788 cars, or
57% of the total number of vehicles, accounts for the largest portion of traffic on that roadway. The
average speed in that area was recorded as 34 MPH, with the highest at 58 MPH.
During the deployment of March 1.6-18, 1999, there were 6,809 vehicles that traveled northbound
through the area. As on January 12, the single highest hour for traffic was from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m., with
604 vehicles. However, the peak activity occurred between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with 1,171 vehicles.
Traffic between the hours of 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. accounted for-47%o of all vehicles, or 3,267 cars. The
average speed was 34.3 MPH, with the highest recorded speed at 67 MPH.
Finally, on April 7, 1999, the were 4,321 vehicles recorded in the area. The number of cars is probably
artificially low, as the radar trailer was not deployed after 6:30 p.m. Between the hours of 4 p.m. and
6 p.m., there were 1,066 vehicles that passed through the area; between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., there were
980 cars. The total number of cars between 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. was 2,593. The average speed was
„y I ycrl�Srf�-
s� CO, pg
* * TFes:aF"F` I C :UMMAF:V
START -ME 04/07/90 18:24 ENdaiEd 04/08/98 07:33
HR Total cars
0 0
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
1 142
8 295
9 326
f0 319
11 315
12 331
13 393
14 418 ,
15 562
16 613
11 453
18 154
19 0
20 0
21 0
22 0
23 0
Total cars= 4321
Min speed= 12 MPH
Max speed= 51 MPH
Avg speed= 33.4 MPH
50th percentile= 34 MPH
85th percentile= 39 MPH
Ten mile pace= 30 to 40 MPH
DM OF ROUT
1,11k1 WV 1:V,; L 9V LV6 lUi, iU;+ A:G; tW I lw I
*** TRAFFIC SUMMARY ***
START:TIE 03/105 '1809 ENO:THU 03/18/99 08:39
HR Total cars
0
19
1
16
2
8
3
3
4
6
5,
35
6
113
7
218
8
66
9
561
10
443
11
440
12
486
13
533
14
499
15
573
16
567
17
604
18
491
19
347
20
288
21
243
22
172
23
78
Total cars= 6809
Min speed-- 10 MPH
Max speed= V MPH
Avg speed-- 34.3 MPH
50th percentile= 35 MPH
85th percentlle= NI MPH
Ten aide pace-- 31 to 41 MPH
ENO OF REPORT
Nf3 .FAO
$SM *#
*** TRAFFIC SUMMARY ***
START:TLE 01/12/99 08:55 ENNTLE 01/12/99 22:12
HR Total cars
0 0
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
8 12
9 433
10 397
11 489
12 508
13 456
14 558
15 62
16 640
17 767
18 714
19 443
20 295
21 194
22 43
23 0
Total cars-- 6602
Min speed= 10 MAN
Max speed= 58 MPN
Avg speed= 34 MPH
50th percentile= 35 MPN
85th percentile= 39 MPH
Ten mile pacer 31 to 41 MPH
END OF (SORT
1-k warb C. A"&Walt
17no Virnelm b Avenue
Monte Serem, CA Osow
(40s)
November 17,1998 6
• b•
I1 .
• V /
Mayor and Members of the City Council '' ' , �• 11 ��
Monte Sereno, Ca
Re: Speed and Regard for Pedestrians on Winchester �2`.e
Ladies and Gentlemen:
More and more i have noticed people taking to the streets for walks and runs in
our neighborhood. However, once they reach Winchester they often must brave not the
elements, but the speed and aggression of motorists.
I ask that Monte Sereno and Los Gatos increase the enforcement of traffic safety
and speed limits on Winchester.
Let me provide one example in dosing this note to you. This afternoon shortly
after four t took a- short run. When 1 attempted to cross Winchester going toward
Vasona at Daves Avenue, car after car bore down on the crosswalk never slowing
down, let alone yielding the pedestrian right of way. When 1 returned to cross
Winchester the other direction l waited at the edge of the crosswalk Finally a car in the
center lane slowed to let me enter the street. No sooner had that driver done so, than
another sped past him and bore right down on me as t walked into the street. ! estimate
that this driver must have been traveling more than fifty miles an hour as he drove
ahead toward me.
use take the necessary steps to do something about this.
4L y
-�
6nawait
�-,s Gatos
?OZ-IC--f9f?A4flT1yfNTRMM-
Monte .Sereno
November 25, 1998
Howard C. Anawalt
17510 Vineland Avenue
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Dear Mr. Anawalt:
Your letter of November 17,1998 to the Monte Sereno City Council has been forwarded to me for
information. You expressed concern about motorists speeding on Winchester Boulevard and failing
to yield the right of way to pedestrians. I would like to. respond to your concerns.
Your perceptions about speeding vehicles on Winchester Boulevard are correct. Los Gatos/Monte
Sereno Police officers spend a considerable amount of time providing traffic enforcement in that
area. Since January 1,1998, officers have written more than450 citations on Winchester Boulevard.
More than half of those have been for speed violations. Winchester Boulevard is a major
thoroughfare, and it cannot be monitored around the clock. Like any other road, there will be
motorists who speed when the police are not present.
The problem of drivers failing to yield to pedestrians is universal throughout all communities. This
problem results from a combination of a low level of education of drivers and a high level of
expectations ofpedestrians. Many drivers are simply unaware or inattentive to their responsibilities
to yield to pedestrians who are crossing a street. Conversely, many pedestrians have an expectation
that drivers must stop whenever a pedestrian stands at a crosswalk or intersection. The vehicle code
requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing a street, but does not require them
to stop because a person is standing at a corner waiting to cross. And, pedestrians may not suddenly
walk out into the street in front of vehicles that are so close as to constitute a hazard.
The circumstances you described in your letter emphasize the responsibilities of both parties. If in
the first instance in which you crossed the street and the cars did not stop while you waited to cross,
there was probably no violation. However, on your second trip across the street, the driver who
passed the stopped car clearly was in violation.
As evidenced by the high number of citations that have been issued on Winchester Boulevard this
year, patrol officers are making a concerted effort to enforce traffic laws in that area. Nevertheless,
I have provided them with your input, and have directed them to increase their efforts. Should you
Phone (408) 354-5257 ♦ Fax (408) 354-0578 ♦ Civic Center ♦ 110 East Main Street ♦ P.O. Box 973 ♦ Los Gatos, CA 95031
Howard C. Anawalt
November 25, 1998
Page 2
have any questions about traffic enforcement, please feel free to contact Sergeant Michael Yorks at
354-6851. Sergeant Yorks is in charge of special traffic enforcement requests.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
L J. odd
Chief of Police
cc: Brian Loventhal, Monte Sereno Interim City Manager
David W. Knapp, Los Gatos Town Manager
Sergeant Michael Yorks
C+CY OF MONTE SEREf ,J
M0,61 SARATOGA•LOS GATOS ROAD
MONTE SERENO. CALIFORNIA 95030
TELEPHONE: 408-334.7635
FAX: 409-395.7683
11/18/98
Dear Chief Todd,
At our council meeting last night, a number of residents voiced their concerns about the safety
and the speed along Winchester Blvd. The discussion was initiated by the concern about the
proposed Villa Felice project. After hearing testimony, all that attended were informed of the Los
Gatos hearing on this project on 12/9 in your council chambers. 'this is going to be a hot potato!
1 would like to meet with you to share with you some of the other concerns that 1 became aware
of while precinct walking.
Winchester Blvd.
1) Speed —people are going at least 45 to 50 mph with NO regard to pedestrians in the
crosswalks
a) Physical island along Winchester with turn outs -Winchester is the only large thorough-
fare in Los Gatos/Monte Sereno without an island
b) Alight either at Villa Felice or Vineland to slow the traffic ( this would also help
people "find" the Villa Felice'entrance and help with the egress of Creekside)
c) A flashing light at Daves Ave — that crosswalk is a pedestrian /car "chicken" area. I'm
surprised nothing horrific hasn't happened there yet!
d) Yes,1 know this is expensive for both cities, — but the situation is getting worse and will
intensify!
Natalye / La Rinconada
1) The have been a number of incidents in the late afternoon at this intersection: people
barreling down after one or two martini's, missing the turn and ending up on someone's lawn
(thank God for the tree, otherwise Mrs. Downs would have had a few people over for dinner!)
?) Request a study; place 3-way stop at this comer.
Daves/Poppy Lane —
l) '!his will not go away. 'Meet with the school, PTA, our engineer, me, Mike Yorks — to look
at eny possible solutions
a) Limited parking on Poppy lane— specific times
b) . No Parking
c) One way street
d) Sidewalk on one side of the street
e) Help
2) Daves traffic & drop off problems
a) Winchester -crosswalk, and walk ways on either side of Winchester
The commuters have now abandoned the #17/#85 interchange and are using our local streets
again, especially Winchester and Rte. #9. Any thoughts? 1 would like to set up a meeting with
you and whoever you think needs to be involved to try to mitigate these problems to both of our
communities.
Regards,
• • LOJ' (�df01
Mo�teJere�o POLICE Of?lif0
%/IENT)llf#OrP,gNDUrI
TO: BRMNLOVENTHAL DATE: OCTOBER 6,1998
MONTE SERENO INTERIM CITYMANAGER
FROM: LARRYJ. TODD
CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONCERNS: DA VES A VENUE SCHOOL
Attached is a copy of a letter sent to me by Mayor Jackson, expressing concern about traffic and student
safety for children attending Daves Avenue School. This memorandum is in response to the issues and
suggestions raised by Mayor Jackson, and to provide information about actions that have been taken.
In January,1998, Mayor Jackson and Sergeant Michael Yorks attended a meeting of the Daves Avenue
Home and School Club. Attendees requested the parking restrictions described in the Mayor's letter.
Earlier this year, in either March or April, the City Council, after considering input from residents in
the area, declined to place the restrictions.
The school reconfigured its parking lot and drop-off/pick-up procedures to ensure a smoother flow of
traffic. Working in conjunction with the school, Officer John Campos, the School Resource Officer,
ensured that a letter explaining the traffic problems and drop-off/pick-up procedures was included in
the packet that is sent to each parent at the beginning of school..
One suggestion raised was to increase the number of crossing guards in the area. Mayor Jackson
reports that Los Gatos Union School District policy is to limit to two the number of crossing guards for
each school. Daves Avenue School already meets this criteria (there is a crossing guard at
Winchester/Daves and another at Daves/Poppy). Since the provision of crossing guards is the
responsibility of the School District, it is suggested that parents might be better served to request the
District to change its policy. An additional paid crossing guard or school security monitor couldbenefit
the resolution of problems at and around the school.
She has suggested using either the Department's Volunteers In Policing (VIP) or parents to provide this
function. The Police Department cannot commit to using VIPs in this capacity. Because they are
volunteers, VIPs schedule their work assignments in consideration of their personal schedules. While
most are very faithful in reporting for duty at their assigned times, they are free to schedule themselves
off whenever they have personal business to attend to, when they are ill, or when they simply want to
take a vacation or other time off. Should a VIP call in sick and thus be unable to perform crossing
guard duties, the Police Department would find itself in the position of having to assign a paid
employee - most likely a police officer - to fulfill its commitment to perform that duty. This would
mean that a paid employee would be performing a duty normally performed by an unpaid volunteer,
resulting in an added, yet unfunded, expense to the Department. This would clearly be opposite the
goal of reducing expenses by having an unpaid volunteer perform duties a paid' employee would
otherwise handle!
As to having parents perform crossing ,guard duties, the issue of training comes to the forefront. While
crossing guard duties are not difficult, they do require a certain amount of safety instruction to ensure
that a child, or the crossing guard himself, is not exposed to danger. I would strongly recommend
against having parents sign up for "occasional crossing guard duties." There would be no method to
ensure that they have had, and retained, the proper training. There would also be the question of
coordination of this service, and, as in the case of the VIPs, who would replace a parent who called in
sick. Finally, the consideration of insurance for parents who might be injured while performing this
service must be considered; it would probably be the province of the School District to provide some
type of coverage. This, of course, would be a cost item for the District.
Mayor Jackson's third suggestion was an increase in "law enforcement presence in the morning and/or
afternoon to monitor the traffic." The Police Department has requested additional traffic enforcement,
by the motorcycle officer and patrol officers, for the areas of Daves/Poppy and Bruce/Poppy. The
major problem is the volume of traffic, not the speed of the cars. For this reason, it would be'
impractical to deploy the radar trailer. Officers will, however, be looking for stop sign and crosswalk
violations, as well as other traffic violations relating to school safety.
Sometimes it takes a while for parents to get used to new traffic patterns. It has been our experience
that traffic,problems usually settle down after a few weeks. It- is at that time that a re-evaluation of
traffic may identify long-term problems that must be dealt with. I have directed Sergeant Michael
Yorks to evaluate our efforts and recommend any changes that could help. I will report on any
recommendations that are implemented.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Captain Jeff Miller.
C61dd
Chief of Police
CI t OF MONTE SERENO
16041 SARATOGA•LOS. GATOS ROAD
MONTE SERENO. CALIFORNIA 95030
TELEPHONE: 408.354.7633
FAX: 408.393.7053
September 11, 1998
Dear Chief Todd,
This is the third time I have been aware of a traffic problem along the
Daves/Poppy/Bruce/Vista corridor. There is a great deal of concern about the pedestrian
safety of children "trying" to walk to school especially from Bruce Avenue down Poppy
to the school.
What the school/parents are requesting is possible restricted parking on the public right-
of-way (east side of Poppy) and/or the addition of crossing guard(s) — see attached letter.
I believe the school district only allows two per school, which they already have.
My idea was 1) Possibly using VIPs to help in this area; 2) Instruct parents to volunteer
in this capacity; 3) Increased law enforcement presence in the morning and/or afternoon
to monitor the traffic.
Ms. Pickett did' share that many parents are now driving their children to school even
where it is only a couple of blocks because they fear for the safety of their children.
Please contact me and Susan. Penning (Principal) about your ideas/solution to this
potential safety risk.
Sincerely,
Suzanne•E. Jackson
Mayor
cc: Susan Penning, Principal — Daves Avenue School
Gwen Cross, VIP Program
Mary Pickett
CAW DocumenWZCLRKOFMITYCOUMCCMTOLTRVACKSOMulaolmffic.dog
09/11/98 1:00 PM
C
ATTACHMENT C
Los Gatos Weekly Times Article
October 25, 2000
_.....,............... �.. --- ..........., v-.va.......-.,,-UUU
Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Officer John Jennings gives a motorist a warning during the morning commute on Winchester Boulevard near the Daves Avenue intersection.
Jennings says he patrols the area nearly every weekday because of heavy traffic and speeding. It's also an area where youngsters must cross
on their way to Daves Avenue School..
The clock is ticking on federal safety funds
ByMICHELLE ALAiMo
ederal funding could be the key to safer
streets for children near Daves Avenue
School. The Los Gatos TownCouncil will
vote Nov. 6, on whether or not to join Monte
Sereno in securing $200,OOO for a traffic study
from Caltrans Safe Routes to School program.
The safety of children crossing the intersee-
tionof Daves Avenue and Winchester Boule-
vard prompted the need for a traffic study,
Monte Sereno Mayor Suzanne Jackson, said.
The application deadline is Nov, 9..
"There are verylittle kids crossing a very big
street with a lot of traffic," Los Gatos Union
School District board member Steve Glick-
man, said.
The main issue of concern is speeding and
increased traffic congestion at an intersection
where many children cross on their way to and
from Daves Avenue. Los Gatos -Monte Sereno
Police Sgt. David Gravel' confirmed that speed-
ing is a problem in the area.
"The number of citations being issued in that
area for speeding has increased since the begin-
ning of the school year," Gravel said. He adds that
more than 15 speeding tickets have been issued
near the Daves Avenue and Winchester Boule-
vard intersection in the past few weeks. Gravel
notes that much of the speeding occurs before the
arrival ofcrossingguardsat7.45am. eachdayand
after the crossing guardleaves in the afternoon.
"That is why people are driving kids to
school," Jackson said:. "It is not safe for them
to walk to school."
The posted speed for Winchester Boulevard
is 35 mph or 25 mph when children are present.
Gravel' attributes some of the speeding to the
width of the roadthat allows drivers to pay less
attention to what they are doing while picking
up speed.
LGUSD Superintendent Mary Ann Park sent
a letter to both Los Gatos and Monte Sereno on
Oct.1, detailing the need for traffic remedies at
the intersection, including a request for a three-
way traffic signal'. Her letter states that a study
was conducted on Winchester.at the Daves
Avenue pedestrian crossing that showed near-
ly 1,OOO cars cross the intersection each hour.
"With drivers' attention focused on making
a turn onto Winchester Boulevard from either
Daves Avenue or Farley Road West, it would
be very easy to miss seeing a small elementary
student attempting to cross Winchester or Far-
ley Road West," Park said in her letter.
When Park wrote the letter, she said she was
unaware that Jackson and the Los Gatos Town
Council were also looking for ways to improve
the dangerous traffic hazards existing in the area.
Monte Sereno Vice Mayor Barbara Nesbet
explained that under AB1475 that created the
Safe Routes to School Act, the city, not the
school' district, must apply for the funding.
Because Daves Avenue falls under Monte
Sereno jurisdiction and Winchester Boulevard
is under Los Gatos jurisdiction, Nesbet said the
two cities must apply for the funding jointly.
The act allows up to $500,000 funding for
each project. Jackson said it is estimated the
traffic study will cost approximately $100000.
The remainder of the funding would be used
for implementing whatever recommendations
the traffic study suggested, Nesbet said.
With a Nov. 9 application deadline looming,
Jackson is concerned about getting the Los
Gatos Town Council to vote for the issue. Jack-
son sent the town a letter about obtaining fed-
eral funding on July 25. The issue was placed
on the town council agenda three times before
making the final cut for Nov. 6.
However, Nisbet said she expects Los Gatos
will agree to jointly applying for the federal funds
because it is a"win-win situation" for both cities.
Los Gatos Mayor Steve Blanton agreed that the
funding seemed like agood thing for both cities.
r;i•Tnnr. P ); )ddd 1 roc r rrnc NI Rl:f.l'= f'i�l'I S 9
ATTACHMENT D
Speed Data
July 1996
Program
STREET...........
.•Bath
i1Bel,roseWINCHESTER.BLVDEDPL
LIMITS•
................
LARK
tELBURNE
RECTION(S)
..........
SB
50TH PERCENTILE SPEED.................39
DATE..................
-
85TH PERCENTILE SPEED.. ... .43
.......... ..
TIME.:::'
........
10 MPH PACE SPEED .......... 34
through 43
POSTED
SPEED LIMIT....35
PERCENT IN� PACE SPEED .............. 86.1
' PERCENT OVER PACE SPEED.............12.5
PERCENT UNDER PACE SPEED............
1.4
CUM.
RANGE OF SPEEDS.................33
to 49
PEED N0.
PCT.
PCT.
VEHICLES OBSERVED ...................
72
=
AVERAGE SPEED.
.39.6
34
2
2.8
4.2
+
35
4
5.6
9.7
100
*******************100
36
6
8.3
18.1
-
**
_
37
8
11.1
29.2
90
*
90
38
8
11.1
40.3
C
-
_
39
9
12.5
52.8
U
80
*
80
40'
8
11.1
63.9
M
-
41
6
8.3
72.2
70
*
_
70
42
7
9.7.
81.9
P
-
*
43
4
5.6
87.5
E
60
_
60
44
2
2.8
90.3
R
-
*
45
3
4.2
94.4
C'
50
_
50
46
2
2.8
97.2
E
-
_
47
1
1.4
98.6
N
40,
*
40
48
0
0.0
98,6
T
-
_
49
1'
1.4
100.0
S
30
*
30
20
*
20
10
*
10
15
25 35 45 55
65
20
20
P
1' 5
-15
E
R
C
E
N
10
**** *
10
5
*********
5
15
25 35 45 55
65
SPEED IN MILES PER HOUR
,
- Belrose Boje► Inc. SPEEDP( T Program
T2O
STREET.......
.....Bat
B1k. WINCHESTER BLVD. l
LIMITS
................
LARK
to SHELBURNE
DIRECTION(S)
..........
r!B
SOTH PERCENTILE SPEED..
DATE..................7130196
.38
85TH PERCENTILE SPEED .................
41
TIME..................12:19
PM 10 MPH PACE SPEED .......... 33 through
42
POSTED
SPEED LIMIT
....
35
PERCENT IN PACE SPEED .............. 90.2
PERCENT OVER PACE SPEED ............. 7.8
PERCENT UNDER PACE SPEED............ 2.0
CUM.
RANGE•OF SPEEDS.................31 to
46
SPEED NO.
PCT.
PCT.
VEHICLES OBSERVED...... 102
AVERAGE SPEED. .............
.38.4
32
33
1
2
1.0
2.0
2.0
3.9
+----+----+----+----+----+-------- ---+----+----+
100
34
5
4.9
8.8
-
*********************100
35
8
7.8
16.7
90
**
**
_
36
5
4.9
21.6
C
-
90
37
14
13.7
35.3
U
80
*
_
38
19
18.6
53.9
M
-
80
39
13
12.7
66.7
70
_
40
13
12.7.
79.4
P
-
* ,
70
41
9
8.8
88.2
E
60
-6,0
42
4
3.9
92.2
R
-
*
43
2
2.0
94.1
C
50
_
44
1
1.0
95.1
E
-
50
45
3
2.9
98.0
N
40
_
46
2
2.0
100.0
T
-
*
40
S
30
_
30
20
*
20
10
*
10
------------------------------- ----+----+----+----+
l5
25 35 45 55 65
20
20
P
15
*
15
E
R
C
E
N
10
****
10
T
S
5
********
5
1.5
25 35 45 55 65
SPEED IN MILES PER HOUR
Bathe elrose Boje, Inc. SPEEDPLOrogram
STREET ................
- Blk. WINCHESTER BLVD.
LIMITS ................ SHELBURNE to BLOSSOM HILL
DIRECTION(S) ..........SB
50TH PERCENTILE SPEED.................28
DATE ................
..7/30/96
8'5TH PERCENTILE SPEED.. .....30
TIME .
......
� .........12:02
PM 10 MPH PACE SPEED.. .......22through
31
POSTED
SPEED LIMIT ....
25
PERCENT IN PACE SPEED .............. 92.4
PERCENT OVER PACE SPEED ............. 6.7
PERCENT UNDER PACE SPEED............
1.0
CUM.
RANGE OF SPEEDS. ................21
to 36
SPEED
NO.
PCT.
PCT.
VEHICLES OBSERVED ...................
105
AVERAGE SPEED...
.28.0
22
3
2.9
3.8
23
2
1.9
5.7
100
*******************************100
24
4
3.8
9.5
-
25
8
7.6
17.1
90
*
90
26
11
10.5
27.6
C
-
_
27
13
12.4
40.0
U,
80
80
28
17
16.2
56.2
M
-
*
29
18
17.1
73.3
70
_
70
30
15
14.3
87.6
P'
-
_
31
6
5.7'
93.3
E
60
60
32
1
1.0
94.3
R
-
*
33
1
1.0
95.2
C
50
_
50
34
2
1.9
97.1
E
-
_
35
2
1.9
99.0
N
40
*
40
36
1
1.0
100.0
T
-
_
S
30
*
30
20
20
10
*
10
15
25 35 45 55
65
20
20.
-
s
_
P
15
**
15
E
R
C
E
N
10'
*****
10.
T
15
25 35 45 55
65
SPEED IN MILES PER HOUR
Bat( r Belrose Boje, Inc. SPEEDP( r Program
STREET ................ 121 Blk. WINCHESTER BLVD.
LIMITS ................ SHELBURNE to BLOSSOM HILL
DIRECTION(S)..........
NB
5OTH PERCENTILE SPEED.................31
DATE..................7/30/96
85TH PERCENTILE SPEED..
..33
TIME..................11:21
AM 10 MPH PACE SPEED ..........
26through 35
POSTED
SPEED LIMIT ....
25
PERCENT IN PACE SPEED ..............
95.2
PERCENT OVER PACE SPEED..............
3.8
PERCENT UNDER PACE SPEED............
1.0
CUM.
RANGE OF SPEEDS.................25
to 40
SPEED
NO.
PCT.
PCT.
VEHICLES OBSERVED...................
104
AVERAGE SPEED.
.30.7
26.,
3
2.9
3.8
27
8
7.7
11.5
100
*****************************100
28
10
9.6
21.2
-
29
13
12.5
33.7
90
*
90
30
14
13.5
47.1
C
-
31
17
16.3
63.5
U
80
*
_
80
32
16
15.4
78.8
M
-
33
12
11.5
90.4
70
_
70
34
4
3.8.
94.2
P
-
*
35
2
1.9
96.2
E
60
_
60
36
1
1.0
97.1
R
-
37
1
1.0
98.1
C
50
_
50
38
0
0.0
98.1
H
-
*
39
1
1.0
99.0
N
40
_
40
40
1
1.0
100.O
T
-
*
S
30
_
30
20
*
20
10
*
10
0***********
_ 0
15
25 35 45
55 65
20
20
P
15
**
15
E
R
C
E
N
10
******
10
5
*******
5
15
25 35 45
55 65
SPEED IN MILES PER HOUR