Attachment 4 - Public Comment Received after Addendum was DistributedFrom: Susie A
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 5:22 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Support for pinehurst community garden
Please consider the following request from a 67 yr old resident of Los Gatos for 40years :
Please Keep the project moving forward with financial authorization to the pursue utility
approval process.
This will enable interested/committed Los Gatans to continue the vision A small amount to
allow community members to be empowered to move the ground work forward, literally and
figuratively.
Thank you
Susan Arroyo.
From: Joanne Justis
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 4:33 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Long Overdue Improvement to Blossom Hill Road - False Promises from the Town
It's really sad with the Mayor does not respond to emails or you have to wait days or longer to
get a call back from the Town. Matt Morley promised to make this project a priority but like many
other Town Council Members or employees, you cannot trust what they say. Slick politicians for
sure.
Clearly, you have no intension of improving the safety of Blossom Hill Road that is adjoined to
the elementary school and the park and have misrepresented your intensions for years! Your
priorities are to repave roads in the Town or to replace the asphalt streets with expensive cement
streets. You've improved the safety of RJ Fisher and Louise Van Meter schools but why not
Blossom Hill Elementary School/Park/road?
How many years now have the residents been asking the Town to improve this road? It's time
for the Town Council, Matt Morley, and others responsible for this matter to be held accountable
for their lack of actions.
I guess it's cheaper for the Town to pay for a lawsuit than it is to improve this road.
This is really shameful!
Joanne
From: Amanda Caruso
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 4:27 PM
ATTACHMENT 4
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Blossom Hill Elementary intersection
Hello,
I have two children who attend Blossom Hill Elementary, and I am writing to express my
concern about the safety at the school intersections. The main intersection at Blossom Hill and
Cherry Blossom is specifically worrisome. The crosswalk is dangerous as it’s on a busy, main
road, and people often speed through. The “walk” signal needs to be longer to allow large
groups of children and parents to cross safely. As of now, the walk signal does not allow ample
time. Thank goodness for Anita, our dedicated crossing guard at that intersection, but more
needs to be done to help her in keeping our children safe. Walking and riding bikes/scooters to
school is encouraged for multiple reasons, but only if we are certain that our children can safely
do so.
Thank you,
Amanda Caruso
From: David Singer
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 4:18 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: I support adding the Union Community Garden to the Capital Improvements Budget
I am writing to request that you, as the members of the Los Gatos Town Council, add the Union
Community Garden (also known as the Pinehurst Community Garden) to the Capital
Improvements Budget.
This project would turn a vacant eyesore into a community asset and increase the amount of
greenery in the town. Community gardens help in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions,
improve food security, encourage neighbors to interact with each other in a constructive
environment, and beautify the area.
The project needs Council approval and an initial allocation of $50,000 to begin the utility
approval process - further investments can happen once the approvals are in place.
Please add the garden to the Capital Improvements Budget in the current cycle.
Thank you.
David Singer
Westchester Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
From: Nika Esfahani
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 3:53 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Matt Morley <MMorley@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Funding for Improvement of Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Intersection
Hi-
My name is Nika Esfahani, and I live in Blossom Hill Manor, and I am a parent to a 2nd and 5th
grader at Blossom Hill Elementary School. I am writing to express my concern about the traffic
on Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Road, and the potential impact to children and
families who cross this road multiple times a day to get to to school and back.
I understand there was a traffic study conducted last year which concluded that there are a
number of improvements that need to be made to make the road safe. However, the town has
not allocated any funds to make these improvements including impediments to slow drivers
down.
As I hope you are aware, a pedestrian was killed by a driver at this exact intersection in
2019. What is the town council waiting for? Are you waiting for more fatalities or god forbid
deaths before allocating the necessary funds to make this road safe for our children and our
community? This is a serious issue, and the town needs to take action immediately to protect
our children and our community.
With my children at the age of walking to school by themselves, I'm horrified at the possibility
of a reckless or distracted driver coming into contact with my children or any other children
crossing this road. Please take this matter seriously and take action immediately. If there is
anything additional I can do to reiterate the importance of this or advocate for the allocation of
funds, please let me know.
Thank you,
Nika Esfahani
From: shelley gierat
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 2:03 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Blossom Hill Elementary Crosswalk and
Hello,
Everyone knows the Safe Routes to school are not safe and yet the school supports those
routes. I guess 1 death is not enough but maybe a child death will get the Council motivated to
do something about it. Also Cherry Blossom lane encourages kids to ride their bikes and walk in
the street because cars are lined up parked in the bike lane: see photo.
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence...Thich Nhat Hanh
From: Carrie Endweiss
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 1:50 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Blossom Hill Road Safety
Dear Town Council Representatives,
Imagine a world where you minimally have to worry about your child making it to and from
school safely, or getting tools out of your car and not being hit, loading your kids’ bikes in the
trunk and the fear of another car pinning you in, walking to class and a car ending up on the
school front lawn, or getting ready to cross a street and another car drives into the front of a
person’s yard right near you.
That’s not our world right now…fast cars driving beyond the speed limit, distractions like cell
phone, drugs, etc. We are BEYOND worried.
The examples above all happened at some point on Blossom Hill Road and some improvements
were made, but not enough to make the daily worry disappear.
Wouldn’t we want to make sure our roads are safe especially since multiple accidents occur on
BH Road and some that have been FATAL?
We bought our first house on this road, raised two boys and have had two furry dogs as well.
We see cars racing up and down the road. We have emailed, led a community meeting, faced
your council and spoke, but all are not enough.
My boys are at the age where I want them to ride their bikes and get independence, but I
constantly have to make sure they are safe.
I have been though a horrible accident with my younger son and am thankful he is still with us
today. Thank God for helmets. Don’t let there be another fatality on our road. Be proud that
you pushed your team to do what is right and make this road safer!
Please…make our road, crosswalks, stoplights free from danger for those biking, driving and
walking.
Thank you for listing. Now it is time to put our money where the kids, teachers and families are.
Kindly,
Carrie Endweiss
From: Vidya Devarasetty
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 1:46 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Matt Morley <MMorley@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Blossom Hill Crosswalk
Dear Counsel member,
I am a parent of a blossom hill community, and live on Blossom Hill Road at the intersection
Cherry Blossom and Blossom Hill.
We have witnessed multiple car collisions, speeding (>50mph), illegal U-turns, honking and
overflow of people of people with bikes in to our front yard. All of these are not a safe and
conductive environment for people who live on Blossom Hill Road near Blossom Hill Elementary
school.
The school has started and the traffic is as as usual (precocious times). Today I had to signal to a
driver to drive slowly as the electric sign board read 52mph. This is very dangerous situation we
have in our residential neighborhood.
I have attended couple of town hall meetings last year. In the last meeting I attended, the plans
to expand the side walk and have left/right turn only lanes and making the Blossom Hill Road a
single lane road. That was a great plan to reduce accidents and make our school community a
safe environment for young families and kids to live in. Our family would be delighted to learn
the progress on the proposed plans.
Thank you so much for your help in making our community a safe place to live and raise kids.
Thank you.
Regards,
-Vidya Devarasetty
From: Debbie Parsons
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 1:30 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: I support the addition of the Pinehurst Community Garden
Dear Council members,
I am a longtime resident of the town of Los Gatos. I support the addition of the Pinehurst
Community Garden.
They don’t need the full $500,000 to get started. They can begin the utility approval process
with Council approval and a smaller $50,000 allocation. The garden has massive community
support and is one of the few projects on the list located in the East side of Town, which also
should have boosted its equity ranking on the score sheet.The CIP (Capital Improvements
Project) ranking methodology didn’t take into account the increased security provided by
community gardens as demonstrated in multiple evidence-based surveys.
Community Gardens improve property values, increase physical security, build community,
provide food security, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and beautify neighborhoods.
The organizers have support from the Boy Scouts who have expressed interest utilizing the
garden for Eagle Scout fundraising and leadership development projects.
All of the Los Gatos service organizations have been briefed on the garden and the support has
been resounding. The Lions Club has expressed interest in helping support and maintain garden
operations.
Please allocate $50,000 to begin the first steps for the Pinehurst Community Garden.
Best
Debbie Parsons
From: Lisa Borland
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 1:08 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: concern about the Blossom Hill crosswalk
To Whom it May Concern:
I am a parent of a Blossom Hill Elementary student and live in Blossom Manor. I would like to
voice my concern about the safety at the Blossom Hill crosswalk and ask for your willingness to
apply some town funds to improve the safety at this crosswalk. I cannot tell you how many
times I have seen our wonderful crossing guard, Anita, grab a child back from the edge of
catastrophe at that crosswalk. It seems to happen weekly. I do not know what the right solution
is: a bigger sidewalk on the neighborhood side? a better turn lane set up for people trying to
get into school? all of the above + many more, but we need to look at this seriously and
imminently before something bad happens... again.
Every morning and afternoon I am so nervous around drop off and pick up time wondering if
this is the day something bad could happen. I am so thankful to our Principal and teachers, our
crossing guard, and other parents who are often out there trying to make it safer for our
children. But we truly need some infrastructure and true long-term solutions to make this a
safer area for our neighborhood children and everyone who uses the crosswalk. My family and I
will support whatever we can do to make this happen.
Thank you for listening.
Lisa Borland
From: Susan Carter Anderson
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 12:19 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Matt Morley <MMorley@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Please fund the Blossom Hill Traffic Calming project
Hello,
I am a parent of a child at Blossom Hill Elementary, live on Blossom Hill Road and have been a
longtime volunteer with the Home and School Club. I am writing you today to urge you to fund
the Blossom Hill Traffic Calming Project asap.
When I was on the Home and School Club board, we spoke often about the dangers of this
crosswalk and street. It is a priority that we do something to improve it.
Increasing the size of the turnout on the neighborhood side will give kids more room to safely
congregate. Reducing the lanes will hopefully decrease the drivers habit of feeling like they
need to speed up right in front of the school. And having a better turn lane will assist parents
getting into the school without other cars swerving around them in a chaotic mess.
Let's not wait for someone to get hit. This project will address numerous safety issues and is
well worth the money. Please fund it so we can have a safe school crossing and community.
Respectfully,
Susan Carter Anderson
From: Sally Zeman
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 12:13 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Concern for BH Road / Cherry Blossom Intersection
Hello,
Over the past 8 years of residing in the manor and sending my 3 children to school at Blossom
Hill and Fisher, I have become increasingly concerned over the crosswalk safety. There seems to
be a lot more traffic, especially during the morning rush hour and I strongly recommend this be
addressed before something tragic happens.
The current crossing guard is phenomenal person and keeps a very close eye on the children.
That said, there are 100’s of children crossing daily and it’s impossible for her to 100%
safeguard the children. In addition, it’s a confusing intersection for drivers due to Cherry
Blossom zig zagging.
Case in point, last spring, I witnessed a younger toddler sibling on a scooter losing his balance
and nearly riding straight into traffic. Thankfully in a split second our crossing guard caught him
but if she hadn’t been in arms reach, I dare not to think of the outcome.
I am incredibly interested in seeing a new plan for this intersection. For the safety of our
community, now and in the future, I feel it’s imperative!
Thank you!
Sally Zeman
Cherrystone Dr
From: Dawn Hooper
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 9:23 AM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Pinehurst Community Garden
As a tax payer and a keen gardener I would very much like to see the Pinehurst Community
Garden get started. Sooner rather than later. As it has been pointed out it does not need all
the funding to get started.
It is an important project to me as a member of community. North 40 is not popular with a lot
of people who live in Los Gatos. Our town is already over run with too many cars and too much
concrete. (and is only going to get worse).
Starting the Community Gardens could be a great way to show everyone that we still
have COMMUNITY at the top of our list as we move forward. Otherwise we will just be seen as
a town that had a nice vibe until they built on every square inch they had just to make
money. Without community we end up with a disjointed group of people who live in the same
area. That in itself leads to all sorts of problems. We need to keep a diverse and interesting
group of people in Los Gatos in order to keep it as a place people want to live and want to visit.
A community garden could do just that. I think getting this project started will excite those that
live here and give people inspiration, hope and encouragement that the local council do
actually listen to what the people want. A community garden will also include multi generations
and groups so will lead to great harmony.
Over the last 8 years or so in my opinion in the council have not done a good job . It took the
council way to many years to get patio seating downtown. (Even though it was asked for
repeatedly ) Other places like Campbell, Los Altos, Palo Alto were already enjoying that and
had been for years before us. For years we have lost potential customers /revenue because of
the council wanting to be elite. It’s time to fill Santa Cruz Ave with shoppers and diners who
want to spend money in our lovely town. Not keep hiking rates up and making it impossible to
keep stores open. It is good to see the music in the park so popular. Looking forward we need
to think about adding extra parking to make it easy to come shop and eat in Los Gatos.
Dawn Hooper
Los Gatos Resident since 2004
From: Lisa Wade
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 5:14 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Please Support Pinehurst Community Garden
Dear Town Council,
I am writing to ask you to please allocate $50,000 to begin work on the Pinehurst Community
Garden. I would love to see a community garden like this in Los Gatos. It would be beneficial to
the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as residents could source some of their
food locally. The garden would also beautify the neighborhood and create a safe community
space for residents to interact with each other. The environmental and community-building
benefits would be a real bonus to our town. In addition, a community garden would encourage
residents to eat more healthy, organic, plants.
This project has widespread support and I would like to be added as a personal supporter.
I would also like to add the support of Plant-Based Advocates of Los Gatos
http://www.plantbasedadvocates.com/ to this project. All of our members strongly support the
Pinehurst Community Garden as an important way to encourage healthy plant-based eating in
our community.
Sincerely,
Lisa Wade
Lilac Ln, Los Gatos, CA 95032.
From: Marvel, Amanda S
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 7:11 AM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Support for Pinehurst Community Garden
Hello,
I’m writing to express my support for the community garden project. There are so many
reasons this should be supported by the city including beautification, togetherness, teaching,
and creating a safer environment with increased home values. Most of all it will continue to
make a great community even better and bring people together for safe outdoor activities that
will strengthen the community.
Please grant the funding to help push this forward.
Thank you!
Amanda Marvel
Los Gatos, CA