M 05-29-90TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
May 29, 1990
Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers
of the Town Hall, 100 East Main Street, at 7:08 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, 1990, in special
session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Joanne Benjamin, Eric D. Carlson, Robert L. Hamilton,
Brent N. Ventura and Mayor Thomas J. Ferrito.
Absent:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
ROUTE 85 FREEWAY AGREEMENT/AMENDMENT/RESOLUTION 1990-113
Mrs. Benjamin suggested that the following motions be presented in order of priority funding
and accomplishment affirming Council's policy to agree to the last only at the time the
previous items have been implemented. At the same time explaining that members of
Council had suggested possible access at Winchester (last year) if certain mitigating actions
had occurred first.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that State agrees that Route 85 shall
have the following characteristics, and funding and construction shall be guaranteed in the
following priority and sequence: all mitigation elements including design of sound walls,
landscaping, riparian habitat, and relocation of the Maria's Berry Farm structures shall be
funded first. The design of sound walls and landscaping shall be consistent with the Visual
Design Guidelines as approved by the Town Council on March 21, 1988, and as amended
by the Town Council on May 21, 1990. (This is policy consistent with what has been done for
other cities.) Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, widening of Lark Avenue bridge over
Route 17 to six through lanes with widening of approaches to the bridge. Carried
unanimously.
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Will Kempton, of the Traffic Authority, stated that there was not a previous agreement for
six lanes on Lark Avenue bridge.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that configuration of the freeway
shall provide for: Six lanes, with two of those lanes designated as commuter lanes for peak
period operation; Preservation of a 48-foot median for future mass transportation
development; Design of all interchanges, bridge structures, and grading to accommodate
future transit options in the corridor, including the extension of the existing Vasona Rail line
into the median of Route 85. Carried unanimously.
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May 29, 1990
Los Gatos, California
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that State agrees that Route 85/17
interchange to be constructed in accordance with the three (3) loop alternative dated April
24, 1990 depicting Route 17 to be elevated approximately fifteen (15) feet above existing
grade and Route 85 and all connecting ramps to be constructed at an elevation below the
new elevation of Route 17. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mayor Ferrito abstained.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that southbound and northbound off-
ramps from Route 85 to Bascom Avenue with southbound and northbound on-ramps from
Bascom Avenue to Route 85; with the full interchange being constructed as one project.
Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that one northbound on-ramp and
one southbound off-ramp to Route 85 from Winchester Boulevard, be constructed at the
same time or after the full Bascom interchange. All Items in the order that they were acted
upon by Council must be completed before the next item is to initiated. Carried by a vote of
4 ayes. Mayor Ferrito voted no.
Mrs. Benjamin addressed the mitigating actions to be taken before access to the freeway
via Winchester could be pursued. That Council action was done in a spirit of cooperation
and there is a need to move forward on this issue.
Mr. Carlson requested the record show his reasons for supporting the previous motions as
follows: the Winchester access is a positive development for some residents and negative
for others; with full Bascom acquired there is need for partial access from the Winchester
side of freeway; support of Winchester is only as the lowest of priorities and all funding is
expected to go to the other items first in order of Council action.
Mayor Ferrito does not support the Winchester exchange for the reasons previously
stated: Winchester will act as a parallel freeway; downtown will become grid-locked at rush
hour as commuters try optional access to Highway 17 at the post office; would like Council
to commit to this being the final agreement.
Mr. Ventura states that other cities have not accepted their fair share of impact from this
freeway but Los Gatos has had to shoulder the burden of two freeways, and requests that
the legitimate rights of Los Gatos be considered uniformly and fairly concerning mitigating
elements, just as these rights have been granted to neighboring communities.
Mr. Hamilton feels that the impasse is over concerning the Bascom exchange and there is
no longer a need for SB209.
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May 29, 1990
Los Gatos, California
Mayor Ferrito requests a letter be prepared to Senator Morgan and Assemblyman
Quakenbush asking that they drop the legislation of SB209 since there is no longer any
reason for it now that a decision has been made by Los Gatos and San Jose regarding the
interchanges.
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May 29, 1990
Los Gatos, California
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that the Town prefers Alternate 4 as
the access to the neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of the Route 85 and Highway 17
interchange (Oka and Mozart) as presented to the Town Council by the Traffic Authority on
February 13, 1989. If Alternative 4 is shown to be environmentally unsound, the Town
reserves the right to modify this agreement to accept Alternative 6. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that the State shall provide a
warning sign at the Winchester/Route 85 off ramp to be used when there is a traffic
emergency on Highway 17, as determined by the Town. The Town in its sole discretion may
close the south Town entrance to Highway 17 when it determines such emergency exists.
Mr. Carlson states that this motion will take care of the major concerns of the Chamber of
Commerce regarding traffic congestion in Town due to freeway traffic problems. Mr.
Hamilton pointed out that this is a currently operating policy used during accidents on
Highway 17, during the earthquake and when Lexington Reservoir was full. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that Council adopt Resolution 1990-
113 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
APPROVING FREEWAY AGREEMENT FOR ROUTE 85, as modified by the previous
motions. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mayor Ferrito voted no due to the Winchester access
and for reasons stated previously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, that Council consider this their best
and FINAL freeway agreement. Carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ferrito announced that the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. to study sessions with
the Museum and Library Boards.
ATTEST:
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May 29, 1990
Los Gatos, California
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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