M 01-13-86TOWN OF LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY AGENDA
JANUARY 13, 1986
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority met in a continued joint meeting in the
Council Chambers of the Town Hall at 7:40 p.m., for continued public hearing on
Route 85 Corridor.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:Joanne Benjamin, Eric D. Carlson, Thomas J. Ferrito, Brent
N. Ventura, and Mayor Terrence J. Daily.
ABSENT:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mary Jo Levinger, Town Attorney, reported that prior to the meeting Council had
met in an Executive Session and discussed institution of litigation on zoning
violations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(c). There is nothing to
report from that discussion.
ROUTE 85 CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Daily stated this was a continued public hearing to discuss Route 85
alternative issue. The first session on this issue was November 19, 1985. Los
Gatos, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno will meet January 14, 1986 at 7:30 p.m., in
the Neighborhood Center. This meeting will not be a public hearing and no
public testimony will be taken. The public is; invited to attend and listen to the
discussion among the three communities.
In the audience was Will Kempton, Director of County Transportation Authority
and Susanne Wilson, County Supervisor and Chairman of the County Policy
Advisory Board.
Bruce Arnold, 104 Olde Drive, Los Gatos. The issue is not the highway but
quality of life and the tradeoffs. One of the tradeoffs is air pollution and feels the
air was worse in 1965 than today. There is more air pollution in stop and go
traffic than in free flow traffic. Another issue is traffic. In 1965 it was a very easy
drive to IBM, today there is 28 traffic signals in the 11 miles to IBM. There should
be controls on the number of residences and businesses built in the area. It
doesn't make sense to invite people into the community and not provide
transportation they need. Mr. Arnold is in support of Route 85.
Ray Elam, 14971 Shannon Road. Agrees with Mr. Arnold.
Dan Townsend, 236 Bacigalupi Drive. Commutes to Lockheed and at one time it
was a pleasant drive that took approximately 35 minutes. The time has doubled
for the commute. He feels the most expensive route would be mass transit. Mr.
Townsend is in favor of Route 85.
Rich Melsie (sp. ?), 340 Bella Vista Avenue. He feels mass transit doesn't have
the practicality and is not clear if we have the density to function as a high urban
transit system as New York subway system. He is in favor of Route 85.
Bob Burke, 370 Bicknell Road. Concerned with the environmental impact. He is
in support of going ahead with Route 85 to improve the overall quality of life. Mr.
Burke is in charge of FMC operations in Santa Clara County. It is important to
keep u with the type of actions that are going to make people continue to want to
work here and continue to want to bring more people into this county.
William Lewis, 315 Escobar. He doesn't feel mass transit is a viable alternative.
It won't move enough people from one area to another. The Route 85 freeway
will provide for H.O.V. lanes and perhaps light-rail. Support the 85 freeway not
only for the quality of life abut because mass transit is improved by these
measures.
Bruce Isenhart, 310 Almendra Avenue. He is in favor of the freeway. If the
residential building continues then a freeway will be necessary.
Kay K. Lewis, 315 Escobar. In favor of Route 85 and urges Council to build as
is. Ted Haig, 110 Edelen Avenue; and Bill Vall, Wedgewood Avenue; Millie (?),
322 University Avenue; are in favor of Route 85. Vern Glick, 19640 Bainter Way;
Ron Gates, 15375 Zayante Way, Representing the Los Gatos Chamber of
Commerce; and Omar Chatty, Morgan Hill, endorses Route 85 with the eight
lane freeway.
Charles E. Newman (Chairman of Route 85 Task Force) 22230 Homestead
Road, Cupertino. The Route 85 Task Force favors the eight lane freeway. It
provides options for the future with a 46 foot wide mediam that could be used for
light-rail or H.O.V. lanes. The Task force took a survey of Los Gatos residents
and the results were 151 votes in favor of the freeway and 21 opposed the
freeway.
Charles Bass, Longmeadow Drive. The three worst areas for traffic are Lark
Avenue,Blossom Hill Road, and Los Gatos Boulevard/Saratoga Avenue. He
requests Council deal with these problems and the only solution he sees is an
eight lane freeway in Route 85.
Dave Danielson, 102 Massol Avenue, objects to placing this issue back on the
ballot and should go ahead with the project.
Patsy Vieira, 138 Pinewood Lane. Her property overlooks the proposed Route
85. She is against the proposed freeway and is concerned about the
environmental issues.
Patricia Serratore, 16270 Burton Road. A Major on-ramp will be 20 feet from her
driveway and a 23 foot wall will be constructed to make a deadend on Burton
Road. Her home and business (Boarding Kennel) would be ruined by the on-
ramp.
Jill Hedler (sp?) 130 Pinewood Lane, is against the corridor and feels it would
lower property values and waste taxpayers money.
Phil Consentino, San Jose, stated the Route 85 Corridor will take a portion of his
orchard and it will be impossible to farm the remaining land. He has watched the
valley deteriorate since 1945 and is against the freeway.
Jack Holt, 14685 Oka Road; and George Wyler, San Jose are against the
freeway.
Larry LaVista, 128 Pinewood Lane is in favor of the current freeway (Hwys 17,
101, 280, etc.) being built to the maximum and is against the Route 85 Corridor.
Arlie Gilmore, 14685 Oka Road, supported Mr. LaVista suggestions and
submitted a petition to Council with a list of almost 100 names opposing the
Route 85 Corridor.
Lani Richardson, 230 Almendra Avenue; Deborah Roolsky, 19935 Oakmont
Drive; Shelly Elhert, 2119 Redwood Terrace, San Jose; John Gize, 16320 Burton
Road; Rick Yarbroff, 15961 Sierra Vista Court; Virginia Lipinski, 128 Pinewood
Lane; Wanda Alexander, Ravine Road; Max Segal, Los Gatos; Mary Elmore, Los
Gatos; and Betty Elam, 14950 Shannon Road are all in favor of mass transit in
place of a freeway.
Mike H. Abkin, 122 El Olivar, feels there are alternatives other than mass transit
or an eight lane freeway. It should be a four lane freeway with light-rail system.
No trucks should be allowed on the freeway have a special track for express rail,
and H.O.V. lane. Natural barriers rather than the sound walls.
Nancy Burbank, 108 Belcrest Drive supports Mr. Abkin's suggestion. She has
concerns regarding the E.I.R. and would like it printed in the local paper. She
also would like this issue be placed on the ballot.
Ben Reichmuth, 117 Charter Oaks Drive, would like the Council and others that
will make the decision, to look at problems such as trucks, ramps, and grid with
other freeways.
Nickolas Rosa, 16363 Camillia Terrace. The discussion should be on moving
people not automobiles and mass transit is a must. The 85 Corridor should set
the example for the whole valley.
Stan Harvey, 15815 Shannon Road, asked if the question is the decision,
"whether or not to have an 85 Corridor?". He feels the issue is what goes into
the corridor and agrees there should be a combination of a freeway and light-rail.
Robert Williams, President of Modern Transit Society. The Societies position is
in favor of the light-rail on the alternative and the D.E.I.S. as written is bias
toward the freeway and against the light-rail. the dilemma of moving the people
and concerned about the freeway. Should start thinking in terms of technology
that is for the 1980's to solve the 1980's problems. Mr. Williams passed out a
pamphlet on the "Automated Guideway Transit Line", which would go from Los
Gatos to other areas in the valley and gave examples.
Robert Booth, 30 Hollywood. He addressed two issues 1). The voters of Los
Gatos voted in favor of Proposition A. Route 85 was included in the Proposition
as one of the freeways that would be built or improved. 2). Twenty-five years
ago the proposed Route 85 was on the maps for everyone to see.
Marti Bennett, 38 Alpine Avenue, spoke on the regional approach to the land
surrounding the 85 Corridor. Proposes light-rail option with expressway on both
sides as is being done in the Guadalupe Corridor. The light-rail should connect
with the other systems.
Richard Gaines, 340 Johnson Avenue, requested this issue be placed on the
ballot. Requests Council adopt ordinance opposing the building of the freeway.
It should say, "it is the legislative policy of the Town of Los Gatos to oppose the
construction of a highway in the Route 85 Corridor". He is in favor of mass
transit. Request two advisory measures be placed on the ballot.
Mike Bullock, 21831 Hermosa Avenue, near Cupertino, read a resolution he
would like Council to consider.
Peter W. Siemens, 69 Ellenwood Avenue. Representing the Los Gatos
Homeowners Association. The Association took two positions on this issue. 1).
Should the Council support a freeway? 2). If a freeway is forced on us or if the
Town elects a freeway should there be some kind of restrictions? The
Association requests both questions be placed on the ballot.
Millie Segal, 220 Danville Drive, questioned the traffic problems if Route 85 is
built.
Susanne Wilson, County Board of Supervisors, commended Council on the
hearing.
Mr. Ferrito moved the public hearing be closed. Mrs. Benjamin seconded.
Carried unanimously.
Mrs. Benjamin would like to digest the information received at this meeting, work
with Saratoga and Monte Sereno and build a consensus. She would like to hold
the meeting on January 14th then discuss viewpoint on the Corridor at the
regular meeting of January 21, 1986. Mayor Daily agreed with Mrs. Benjamin.
Mr. Ferrito feels the Council should start to deal with some of the issues tonight.
Council should start taking some leadership rolls by taking some positions rather
than wait to meet with Saratoga and Monte Sereno. Should spend the next hour
to reach a consensus on certain issues.
Mr.Carlson is ready to take action on some of the issues this evening. Some
new issues were raised.
Mr.Ventura feels Council should refrain from getting into any lengthily discussion
on which alternatives the Council might favor or recommend at this point. Might
be able to reach consensus on certain design criteria and other factors that are
going to be instrumental in any position taken on Route 85.
Mr. Ferrito stated he had served as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Bay Area Air Quality Management District and currently serves as a member of
the hearing board of the BAAQM District. He stated industry cannot afford to
continue to reduce Pollution so it makes much of a difference. The communities
that support the freeway have not taken the position to limit development so that
the freeway which might be built can serve the existing population, they are all
building freeways for future populations and not solving the problems of traffic
congestion. What is needed is to start dealing with current traffic congestion and
tying the land use decisions to construction of streets, highways, freeways and
mass transit. Mr. Ferrito moved for Council consideration,not an ordinance, but a
resolution that stated that it is the policy of the Town of Los Gatos to oppose the
construction of another freeway in Town. And,it is further the policy of the Town
of Los Gatos to encourage mass transit or light-rail alternatives. Motion died for
lack of second.
Mr. Ferrito moved that the D.E.I.S. has not considered other alternatives
sufficiently. It is heavily biased toward a freeway solution. Mr.Carlson seconded.
Mayor Daily and Mrs. Benjamin voted no because they don't believe in the
appropriateness of the timing of the motion. In fairness to the other communities
these things need to be discuses with the other communities prior to deciding.
Carried by a vote of three ayes. Mayor Daily and Mrs. Benjamin voted no. Mr.
Ventura feels it is appropriate to take consensus motions on item pertaining only
to Los Gatos.
Mr. Ventura moved any and all bridges, structure, landscaping or soundwalls be
built in conjunction with any transportation project in the Corridor be subject to
Town site and architecture approval. Mr. Ferrito seconded. Carried by a vote of
three ayes. Mayor Daily and Mrs. Benjamin voted no. Mrs. Benjamin stated it is
not because she disagrees with what is going on it is because of the process.
Mr. Ventura moved that it be the position of the Town Council that any roadway
constructed in the Corridor be depressed through the Town of Los Gatos except
over the Los Gatos Creek. Died for lack of second.
Mr. Ventura moved that if assuming that any roadway interchange is built in the
Bascom/17/Winchester area that it be subject to design approval by the Town of
Los Gatos. Died for lack of second.
Mr. Ferrito asked if the 175 acres that was used for an interchange be taken off
the tax roll? the Town Engineer, Ron Zapf, responded yes. Mr. Ferrito moved
that the Council oppose the removal of acreages from out taxrolls for purposes of
high speed interchange. Mr. Ventura seconded. Failed by a vote of three noes
by Mrs. Benjamin , Mr. Carlson, and Mayor Daily. Mr. Carlson opposes this
motion because discussing alternatives should wait until the meeting of January
14th. Susanne Wilson stated that any CalTrans freeway agreement has to go
through each of the cities that the freeway crosses. Mayor Daily suggested a
letter to CalTrans regarding the above issue.
Mr. Ventura moved that any habitat lost or destroyed do to a development of a
transportation system in the Corridor be replaced on a three to one basis. Mr.
Ferrito seconded. Carried by a vote of three ayes. Mayor Daily and Mrs.
Benjamin voted no.
Mr. Ventura moved that it be the policy of the Town of Los Gatos that bike lanes
be part of the West Valley Transportation corridor. Died for lack of second.
Mayor Daily requested a report at the January 21, 1986 Council meeting on the
placement of this measure on the ballot. Mr. Ferrito requested that the resolution
that did pass be brought back to Council in writing at the Council meeting of
January 21, 1986, so that the Council can vote on them after they have met with
Saratoga and Monte Sereno.
Mayor Daily stated by consensus motion this meeting is continued until the next
regularly scheduled Council meeting January 21, 1986. Mr. Ventura moved the
meeting be adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Mrs. Benjamin seconded. Carried
unanimously.
ATTEST:
Rose E. Aldag
Town Clerk