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M 08-28-00TOWN OF LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY August 28, 2000/Minutes TOWN COUNCIL The Town Council/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 6:33 p.m., Monday, August 28, 2000, in joint regular session with study session. ROLL CALL Present:Randy Attaway, Jan Hutchins, Linda Lubeck, Joe Pirzynski and Chairman/Mayor Steve Blanton. Absent:None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Given by all in attendance. CLOSED SESSION Town Attorney, Orry Korb, reported that Council had not met in Closed Session prior to this evening’s meeting. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Stop signs on Bicknell and Moore: Sam Zullo, 806 Bicknell Road, spoke of the repair and upgrading construction project on Bicknell Road. The historic restrictions of this road tended to slow down traffic and make drivers more aware of pedestrians. The widening of the road will cause the speed to increase, but not offer sidewalks for the safety of pedestrians. He asked that the T intersection at Moore and Bicknell become a three way stop in all directions. This would act as a speed deterent in the neighborhood. Council requested to move this project along and to not get bogged down in policy and procedures. Council asked that staff work with Monte Sereno and get the stop signs placed. Town Manager, Les White, noted that staff would return on September 18 th with a report on the policy & procedures of the Town regarding traffic calming and the process for simply putting up the signs. Council can make its decision at that time. General Plan Adoption: Ray Davis, resident, spoke of the General Plan adoption and the meetings and decisions involved in the final action taken. HEARINGS COLLEGE AVENUE 65/FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/APPEAL (01.09) Mayor Blanton announced that this was the time and place so noted for public hearing to consider an appeal of the decision of the Planning Commission approving the construction of a new single family residence on a nonconforming parcel zoned R-1D. Architecture and Site Applications S-99- 36. Property Location: 65. College Avenue. Property Owner: Lee Qualls. Applicant: Todd and Marlene Johnson. Appellant: Colleen Wilcox and Christopher Farmer. TC:D11:MM082800 Town Council Minutes August 28, 2000 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California HEARINGS CONTINUED COLLEGE AVENUE 65/FAMILY RESIDENTIAL CONT. Council and Staff discussion: After some discussion it was noted that the reports needed for Council to ever consider this a build able lot were a geotechnical report, sufficient drainage plans, a peer review before final plan approval, engineer’s reports checked by Town approved review panel -- and staff repeated that nothing would be approved that was considered unsafe. The following people from the audience addressed this issue: Christopher Farmer, appellant, spoke of the problems involved in the development of plans for this lot. He spoke of the mitigation methods asked for to ensure privacy with the use of landscaping, and he noted the geologist’s reports which he did not believe ensured a safe lot to build on. Colleen Wilcox, appellant, spoke of the one minute she was given to speak at the Planning Commission, and spoke of a list of requests to mitigate the effects of the proposal on her property. Asked that the project be pre-conditioned. Todd Johnson, 85 College Avenue, submitted the Wilcox-Farmer agreement which seemed unreasonable to him, especially accompanied by threat of attorney. Laura Howard, 35 College Avenue, spoke of the traffic problem caused by another home being built on this road and having additional cars coming off of this easement on to College. Ray Davis, resident, noted that both sides need to be well informed about their options before meeting and there should be peer review by the Town in advance of any approval. Desmond Johnson, 15181 Becky Lane, Monte Sereno, father of the owner, spoke of the $50,000 of improvements to the neighbor’s property if the neighbors were to withdraw their objections. These improvements were not on the easement, and the easement has been included in the deed to the Johnson’s property. John Lien, 196 College Avenue, spoke of the review of the soils report; the making of the proposed home smaller and shorter; the identified and mitigated drainage problems; the approval of the proposed plans by the neighbors; and the Planning Commission’s unanimous support. No one else from the audience spoke to this issue. Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to close the public hearing. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, that Council continue this item to October 16, 2000, for staff to return with full peer review, using an engineer and geotechnical people of the Town’s choice, submitting a geotechnical report that addresses attachment to bedrock and a working drainage plan to be paid for by the applicant. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Hutchins voted no. Town Attorney, Orry Korb, announced that there would be no further notice of the continuance of this Item. Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. Attaway, to adjourn this portion of the regular meeting to the study session portion of the regular meeting. Carried unanimously. TC:D11:MM082800 2 Town Council Minutes August 28, 2000 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California STUDY SESSION DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HOLIDAY SEASON Interim Manager, Les White explained the need to move forward with this plan at this time if it is to be in place by the holiday season, noting the staffing, contracts and implementation issues involved. He reviewed the short term solutions for this year that appeared to be workable options that could relieve the problems during the holiday season. Tighter enforcement and parking garages will be considered as long term goals in another time frame. A balanced program will be maintained so that one interest does not negatively impact another. The following items were added to the mix: paving Miles Ave.; shuttle service; employee parking at Lot 4; two hour parking on University, Wilder and Tait; 24 hour parking for residents. Assistant Town Manager, Jim Piper, listed a mix of short term options which would relieve the holiday parking crunch and yield approximately as many spaces as a new and far more expensive lot. They are as follows: resurface lots 1and 2; change the 3 hour parking limit; initiate a shuttle service; be prepared to respond to parking issues when they arise; make use of more uniform and thoughtful enforcement; by re-striping find 38 to 50 new spaces; fix the shoulders on Miles Ave. for ease of parking; Royce and Grays become one way for additional parking spaces; enhance parking spaces at the bus depot; install spaces on College Ave; convert the storage yard on Miles Ave. to a 45 space parking lot at the cost of $150,000; allow 2 to 3 hour parking on University; valet parking on Lot 4 with density pack; unlimited parking on lower level and timed parking above. The following people spoke to this issue: Phil Micciche, 220 Alexander Ave, representing St. Mary’s parishioners, and its Committee Awareness Program which had initiated a program to encourage parishioners to park in other areas besides Tait and Wilder. He listed reasonable options which follow: Use of a shuttle costing $175,000 a year; Lighting and safety issues addressed in dark remote lots; 2 hour maximum parking in residential districts during the hours of 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM; Stop signs on University; Additional parking throughout Downtown using a re-striping program; computerized tracking and use of an active neighborhood watch program; significant fines implemented. He asked for quantification of the problem and its solution before adoption of the plan. How many spaces added, how many lost, and how many employees at one time need to be provided for. He offered the use of St. Mary’s students to conduct a survey to garner this information. He reminded Council to implement the simple and less costly solutions first. Mike Abkin, 122 El Olivar, spoke of the simple solutions which will generate needed parking spaces in an inexpensive manner compared to the same amount of spaces made available in an expensive parking structure. He asked that employee shift changes be identified; that employers offer to purchase bus passes for employees; that bike lockers be installed. Dave Flick, 130 Stacia St., asked that financing for making the proposed parking improvements in the downtown be budgeted immediately for timely implementation. He believes that employee fees are a gross mistake and that the Town should supply the permits as a benefit and reward for remaining and working in our Town. Cat Griffin, 122 Tait Ave, asked that the residential areas be surveyed during business hours to see what spaces are open and available. She noted that St. Mary’s parking lot has many empty spaces during that time while her house has cars parked in front of it. STUDY SESSION CONTINUED TC:D11:MM082800 3 Town Council Minutes August 28, 2000 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HOLIDAY SEASON Speakers continued: Ray Davis, resident, spoke of enhancing the “quality of life” for the residents. Sallie Robbins-Druian, 32 East Main St., asked that Council support the local businesses, employees, and the residents. She suggested no cost for parking permits and at least a 15 minute curtesy window for on street parkers. Randi Chen, 118 Edelen Ave., Noted that the residents are becoming less willing to compromise. They feel that they have been doing all the compromising while others have been doing none. All of the parties involved must participate in the program. Businesses, employees, Town and residents. Businesses must actively encourage their employees to park in outlying locations. Residents want to see some cooperation in this vain before they compromise again. Gloria Le Blanc, 240 Montclair Road, if employee passes are purchased can they be shared within a business? What is the distance to the Miles lot and what type of promotion to use the lot can be implemented? How can the use of the Park and Ride lot be encouraged? Nancy Christensen, 16230 Azalea Way, emphasized the building of a new garage before any day time on street parking is limited in the downtown residential districts. She asked that the option of residential parking not be removed until another option is offered in its place. Rex Morton, 51 University Ave, Ste I, asked that the number of employees in Town in need of parking at any time be identified first before the proposals be undertaken, and asked that private businesses dedicate parking places on private lots which often remain empty. Steve Glickman, 145 Maricopa Drive, asked that whatever parking management program is instituted that is be done slowly and incrementally. John Tice, 570 University Ave, #13, spoke encouragingly about the re-striping program which is far less expensive and very quickly implementable for this holiday season compared to trying to pursue the far more costly option of a parking structure with no immediate benefits. He spoke of the Employee Parking Enticement Program whereby the Town supplies numbered parking spaces during the holiday season. The employers purchase the permits for each numbered parking space and the Town’s parking enforcement team keeps track of the use of those spaces. At the end of a specified time within the holiday season the employer is reimbursed 80% of the purchase price to give to the employee who has used his parking space as an award for active participation and cooperation with the program. It also works as a change agent in making the new parking location familiar and proprietary to the employee. Bill Bacchi, 236 N. Santa Cruz Ave, spoke of including all participants in the plan. Asked that strict enforcement not be implemented unless there are clear options that everyone understands. He does not want to see the option of the garages lost. Diane McNutt, 27 Jackson, representing the Chamber of Commerce, focusing on short term solutions for tonight asked that both lots on Miles be considered during the holiday season; that valet people provide ambassadors who are stationed around key intersections during peek times to help direct frustrated drivers to alternate parking locations by pointing the way and passing out maps; that valet on the top of lot 4 be used for customers; that Tait Museum be approached regarding use of its parking lot during the times it is not in use; that the Chamber offer public education for the business community and the consumer community, both shoppers and visitors, and in being a catalyst for ideas in disseminating information concerning parking at different times of the day for different types of businesses. The Chamber also offered help with the downtown employee parking survey . STUDY SESSION CONTINUED DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HOLIDAY SEASON TC:D11:MM082800 4 Town Council Minutes August 28, 2000 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California Speakers continued: Ed LaVeque, 149 Calle Larga, owner of 143 E. Main, spoke of belonging to the Downtown Parking Assessment District but still having to pay the Methodist Church for extra parking spaces for his business, and the problem with parking at this end of Town due to the extreme impact of the student and teacher parking problems due to the High School. Shirley Henderson, 98 W. Main St., asked that everyone involved try this program and see if it works, and requested that the employees and residents not be charged for their parking permits. Kurt Lemons, 54 N. Santa Cruz Ave, is concerned about the Miles Ave. Lot. This will be a good lot for most employees who are able to handle the six minute walk including the hill. He noted that the physically handicapped should have free permits for closer parking to their work. He noted that pay for parking leads to under utilized lots. Tom Castro, 308 E. Main St., proponent of the Downtown Management Program because of the High School. When High School is in session there is no place to park at this end of Town. There are only 23 public spaces in Parking Lot 8. He proposes that the High School build itself double decker parking. He asked that the number of employees needing parking be identified but they definitely should not be charged. He asked that funding options be considered such as tax on alcoholic beverage served in Town and parcel tax for five years for funding parking lots. Mike Maiten, 136 Belvue Drive. Move quickly on the things we can move quickly on. Enforce with the laws we already have. Fix the signs. Use the chalk. Enforce visibly. Use the current parking enforcement resources we have better. No paid parking. Just issue the permits to park in the designated locations. Ellie Stern, 17121 Wild Way, asked about notification regarding the downtown parking meetings. She noted the increase in business downtown but not the increase in parking spaces to serve the businesses. Paul Dubois, 340 University Ave., noted that two ADA spaces were set aside in the Miles Ave. area when it would be impossible for a handicapped person to navigate the steep hill. He asked that those spaces be relocated to an area more accessible to a person with special needs. There were no other speakers on this issue. Council Consensus on the short term parking options listed in the staff report: 1.Enhanced Enforcement of Parking Time Restrictions (With Courtesy) 2.Add a Miles Avenue/Creek Path Public Parking Lot 3.Improve Shoulder Areas Along Miles Avenue 4.Convert from Parallel to Angled Parking on South Santa Cruz Avenue from the Toll House South to Wood Road 5.Allow Daytime Parking on University Avenue without a Residential Permit (Consensus to continue to a future date for further public meetings and discussions) 6.Implement a 2 Hour Daytime Limit on Tait Avenue South of Bachman and on Wilder Avenue (Consensus to continue this item to a future date for further public meetings and discussions) 7.Improved Signs and Markings for Parking Lots 1-4, Lot 6, and Lot 7 8.Resurface Lot 1 and Lot 2 9.Use Valet Parking in Lot 4 – Unrestricted Time in the Lower Section and Customer Service in the Upper Section – Signage to Stipulate Gratuities Not Accepted STUDY SESSION CONTINUED DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HOLIDAY SEASON Council Consensus on the short term parking options continued: 10.Shuttle For: - Lots 1 through 5 – Park & Ride – Miles Avenue (On hold for more TC:D11:MM082800 5 Town Council Minutes August 28, 2000 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California information and when implemented it will be evaluated half way through the program) 11.Reduce “Red Curb” Designations 12.One Way Streets: Royce/Gray’s Lane; Pageant Way - One way Toward Villa between Library and Police Driveways; Villa Way – One way Toward College from Pageant Way and Reservoir Road. Redesign Retaining Wall Project to Allow Angle Parking (Hold for after the holiday season to agendize full public hearings and evaluate with full community input) 13.Modify Bus Depot (A long term project. Start the process but ensure full public notification) 14.Identify Number of Downtown (CBD) Employees (A long term project. Begin after January 1st) 15.Fast Track Review of Requests to Add Parking on Private Property (Drop. No time to Pursue) 16.College Avenue South of Main Street Added Parking 17.Temporary Parking Coordinator and Parking Envoys 18.Create an Education Program 19.Provide Printed Maps and Related Materials 20.Do We Need More Officers? Yes, in the short term plan there is a need for 40 additional hours of an enforcement officer. Council member Attaway thanked the audience for its many ideas toward the solving of the downtown parking issue. Council member Pirzynski thanked and commended the staff for an excellent presentation of the proposal presented tonight. Mayor Blanton noted that the next discussion of some of these items would be taking place on September 18, 2000. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Blanton adjourned this evening's meeting at 10:17 p.m. Carried unanimously. ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove Town Clerk TC:D11:MM082800 6