Attachment 15 - Project Information Sheet, prepared by Parks and Public WorksParks and Public Works Department • Engineering Division • 41 Miles Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.399.5771 • www.losgatosca.gov • www.facebook.com/losgatosca
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
Engineering Division
October 17, 2017
ITEM: 15860, 15880, and 15894 Winchester Boulevard; APN: 529-11-013, 038 and 040
Architecture & Site Application S-16-023
Subdivision Application M-16-002
Requesting approval to demolish three existing single-family residences, remove a second
unit, remove large protected trees, and merge four lots for the purposes of constructing a
new two-story office building with below-grade and at-grade parking on property zoned O.
PROPERTY OWNER: South Beach Partners, LLC/Cumulus Capital Holdings, LLC
APPLICANT: Valley Oak Partners – Doug Rich
Q: Where is the development project?
A: The proposed development project is located at the southeast corner of Winchester
Boulevard and Shelburne Way.
Q: What is the proposed use?
A: The proposed development would demolish three existing houses and a second unit, and
construct 30,070 square feet of office building.
Q: Would the proposed development increase traffic?
A: The proposed development of 30,070 square feet of general office would generate more
vehicle trips than what currently occurs with the existing three houses.
Q: Would the additional traffic trigger an environmental analysis and a traffic impact
analysis?
A: Yes. In accordance with Town’s Traffic Impact Policy, a traffic impact analysis (TIA) is
required for any private development projects that are expected to add 20 or more trips in
the AM or PM peak hours.
Q: How are AM and PM peak hours selected for any given intersection?
A: The Town’s traffic consultants conduct traffic counts between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM and
between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM during weekdays when schools are in session for studied
intersections. The one-hour duration with the highest traffic concentration (based on traffic
counts) during both these morning and evening periods are selected as the peak hours.
Q: What is the estimated traffic increase?
A: It is estimated the proposed project would create a net increase of 303 additional trips per
weekday, including 38 trips during the AM peak hour and 46 trips during the PM peak hour.
ATTACHMENT 15
Parks and Public Works Department • Engineering Division • 41 Miles Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.399.5771 • www.losgatosca.gov • www.facebook.com/losgatosca
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS
Q: What methods are allowed by the Town’s Traffic Impact Policy to estimate project traffic?
A: As noted in the Town’s Traffic Impact Policy, the Town uses the most recent addition of the
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual for determination of
project traffic trips. The Town’s Traffic Impact Policy also allows alternative methods
including SanDAG, Caltrans, San Jose or a peer-reviewed traffic study which determines the
trip rate by reviewing similar projects (surveyed site rate).
Q: What method was used for the Winchester project and why?
A: The Winchester TIA developed a surveyed site rate with a peer-reviewed traffic study and
this was compared to the ITE rates in the TIA report. There was minimal difference
between the surveyed site rate and the ITE rate as compared in the TIA. The surveyed site
rate was ultimately used to determine the impacts at the studied intersections as this was
determined to be more reflective of actual traffic conditions in the Town by the Town
Traffic Engineer.
Q: Had ITE rates been used to determine the Winchester project’s impact at the studied
intersections, would this have changed the results and shown a significant impact to the
intersections?
A: No.
Q: What would be the difference in the estimated traffic levels if the proposed development
was to provide medical offices as opposed to office/professional?
A: A proposed medical office of the same size would generate 32 additional AM peak hour
trips and 58 additional PM peak-hour trips, and a total of 754 additional daily trips than the
proposed general office use.
Q: What is LOS and how does it determine the impacts of project traffic on the Town?
A: Traffic engineering standards use LOS to determine project traffic impacts. LOS (Level of
Service) represents traffic intersection congestion by a letter scale that ranges from LOS A
to LOS F, with LOS A representing the least or no congestion. The Town’s General Plan (GP)
does not allow for developments to drop the LOS at an intersection by more than one level
or below LOS D without requiring the developer to mitigate or provide a “fix” for the
increased traffic delay. A project TIA analyzes LOS at impacted intersections and
determines the required mitigation and impact significance. The impacts are only
considered significant if the LOS drops more than one level or below a LOS D.
Q: What are the TIA’s findings of the LOS impact for the Winchester project?
A: The TIA concluded that all studied intersections would not drop more than one level or
below a LOS D. Therefore, the project would not create a significant impact on traffic.
Parks and Public Works Department • Engineering Division • 41 Miles Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.399.5771 • www.losgatosca.gov • www.facebook.com/losgatosca
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS
Q: Did the TIA evaluate if the project access points would be adequate and safe?
A: There are two project driveways proposed for the development, one on Shelburne Way and
the other on Winchester Boulevard. The Shelburne driveway would serve 87 parking spaces
in an underground parking garage, while the Winchester driveway would serve a surface-
level parking lot containing 41 parking spaces. The TIA found the two driveways would
provide adequate access and can operate safely with red curbs prohibiting on-street parking
near the driveways.
Q: What are the estimated traffic volumes for the two proposed driveways?
A: It is estimated that the Shelburne driveway will have 22 inbound and 4 outbound vehicle
trips during the AM peak hour and 2 inbound and 30 outbound vehicle trips during the PM
peak hour. In regards to the Winchester driveway, it is anticipated that 10 vehicles will
utilize this driveway during the AM peak hour and 14 vehicles during the PM peak hour.
Six of these vehicles during both the AM and PM peak hours will turn left in from or left out
onto Winchester. This level is considered safe and a minimal increase of cars. The center
two-way left turn lane can be utilized to prepare for or complete a left turn movement
when it is safe to do so. This configuration is typical throughout the Town.
Q: Does the left turn movement at the project’s Winchester driveway create an unsafe
condition?
A: Based on the sight distance, number of trips and the two-way left turn lane, these
movements can be made safely.
Q: Is there a way to enhance the sight distance for vehicles exiting the Winchester driveway?
A: Yes, the red curb can be extended along northbound Winchester Boulevard immediately
south of the development; however, this would create less available on-street parking for
residents in the area.
Q: Would there be negative impact as a result of prohibiting left turn movements at the
project’s Winchester driveway?
A: It is anticipated that motorists would utilize alternative routes to access the project
driveway on Winchester. The shortest routes available would include making a U-turn on
Winchester or turning either left or right into the nearest side streets and then making a U-
turn to return to the driveway. Either option is not desirable and may not be welcome by
the nearby residents.
Q: Would it be beneficial to vehicular traffic, pedestrians and bicycles if a traffic signal were
to be installed at the intersection of Shelburne and Winchester?
A: A traffic signal, if installed properly, should facilitate the crossing of pedestrians and vehicles
safely; however, it may also have negative impacts, such as increased traffic delay, if it is not
Parks and Public Works Department • Engineering Division • 41 Miles Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.399.5771 • www.losgatosca.gov • www.facebook.com/losgatosca
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS
installed at an appropriate location. There are standard guidelines providing guidance as to
whether a traffic signal should be recommended for installation. The guidelines include
criteria such as vehicle and pedestrian volumes as well as accident history. This intersection
does not meet any of the recommended guidelines for installation of traffic signal. In
addition, due to the close proximity of the Daves Avenue Elementary School, it is
recommended that the pedestrians should be encouraged to cross Winchester Boulevard at
Daves Avenue where there are crossing guards assisting with pedestrian crossings.
Q: What can be done to reduce the number of vehicle trips generated by the project?
A: Even though the project is not expected to cause significant traffic impacts, a TDM
(Transportation Demand Management) plan would be required for the development. The
TDM plan would include a list of measures for reducing single-occupant vehicle trips and
encourage alternative transportation modes such as riding bicycles, carpooling, and riding
transit.
Q: What measures will be implemented for promoting bicycle trips?
A: The project is proposing a secured bike storage room that can hold 36 bicycles within the
underground parking garage. In addition, the project would be required to install bicycle
racks near the visitor entrance. In addition, a new bicycle lane will be installed along the
project’s Winchester frontage.
Q: Would the proposed project construct any off-site improvements?
A: The following off-site improvements would be required (see Attachment #1):
•7-foot right-of-way dedication for Winchester Boulevard along the project frontage for a
new bicycle lane for northbound Winchester.
•Construction of a detached sidewalk along the project frontage.
•Construction of a corner bulb-out at Shelburne Way and Winchester Boulevard, and
striping of a high-visibility crosswalk for crossing Shelburne at Winchester.
Q: Will there be a large volume of vehicles that turn left onto Shelburne Way to access the
underground parking garage?
A: No. It is anticipated that 5 vehicles will utilize this traffic movement during the AM peak
hour. Similarly, it is anticipated that 6 vehicles will turn left onto southbound Winchester
Boulevard from westbound Shelburne Way during the PM peak hour.
Q: Does the Town Engineering staff or the Town's engineering consultants have concerns
with the proposed project creating safety issues regarding traffic, grading or drainage?
A: No. The project analysis on the traffic, grading and drainage has been reviewed by
Engineering staff and the Town's consultants. As currently designed, the proposed project
meets the Town Code requirements as well as accepted engineering standards.
Parks and Public Works Department • Engineering Division • 41 Miles Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.399.5771 • www.losgatosca.gov • www.facebook.com/losgatosca
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS
Q: Does this mean the Town Council cannot require changes to the design based on
perceived traffic, grading or drainage concerns?
A: Town Council can request the developer make changes to the project. PPW Engineering
would require an analysis of these changes by the developer’s engineering team, which
Engineering staff and the Town’s consultant would then review to verify compliance with
Town Code and accepted engineering standards. Council requested changes could cause
impacts to the developer’s project objectives, require additional design work, and incur
additional development costs to the developer for these changes.