06 Staff Report - Temporary Traffic Calming Proposal for Longridge Road.~pY1 tk
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT`.
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
JANUARY 13, 2004
MEETING DATE. 1/20/04- -
ITEM N(Y ~
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
DEBRA J. FIGONT E, TOWN MANT AGE
APPROVE- TEMPORARY TRAFFIC- CAL=G` PROPOSAL
LONGRIDGE ROAD
RECOl EMENDATION:
FOR
Approve temporary traffic calming proposal for Longridge Road.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, staff have received numerous requests from Longridge Road residents
to slow traffic on this neighborhood street. In 1998, a petition was submitted because residents were
concerned there was speeding and cut-through traffic. At that time, staffresponse was to await the
upcoming Town Traffic Calming Policy's adoption, and encouraged the neighborhood to participate
in that policy's development. Additional patrol service was also assigned to the neighborhood to
enforce vehicle speeds.
Once the Town's Traffic Calming Policy was adopted in 2001, this neighborhood was placed on the
traffic calming waiting list, as a few other neighborhoods had requests dated prior to this one.
Additional new traffic data was collected in 2002- and 2003. This traffic data indicates the 85'x'
percentile vehicle speeds are 33MPH, but no significant "cut-through" traffic was evident, as
volumes are under 500 vehicles per day. Traffic data indicated most of the traffic in that area utilizes
neighboring Los Gatos Almaden Road and Carlton Avenues, not Longridge Road. Therefore,
Longridge Road qualifies for traffic calming due to speeding over 30 MPH.
DISCUSSION:
During 2003, staff held three neighborhood meetings to assist the Longridge neighborhood to
develop a proposal to slow traffic. The meetings were held April 29, June 12, and September 18.
Approxii iaiely .vventy residents attenaed these meetings, at which neighbor food traffic and
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PREPARED BY: JOHN E. CURTIS
`Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: S Assistant Town Manager Attorney ClerkJ/~Finance
Community Development Revised: 1/13%04 8:32 am
Reformatted: 5/30/02 N:'.3&E,,C0L?1CIL REPORMLongridge 1-20-04.wpd
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PAGE 2.
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: APPROVE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL FOR
LONGRIDGE ROAD
January 13, 2004
pedestrian safety issues were obtained from participants, and solution preferences were discussed.
Staff presented various traffic calming devices known to reduce speeding vehicles.
The majority of participants indicated they did not want speed humps, preferring center medians
and curb side bulb-outs. Discussion also included landscaping for the devices to have a positive
appearance. At the September 18 meeting, consensus was reached for a temporary traffic calming
proposal. The next step was to conduct a neighborhood vote to determine if a super-majority of the
residents in that area also supported their proposal. A neighborhood ballot was sent on September
29, 2003 to ninety-five (95) residences on Longridge Road, Maricopa, Potomac, Hollycrest and
Greendale Avenues. (Attachment 1).
The neighborhood vote was conducted during September and October, 2003. The entire proposal
was for six center medians and/or bulb-outs at each end and at each intersection along Longridge
Road. The ballot consisted of voting. for, or against, all or some of these six options. This method
of voting for each device allowed residents to select the devices they preferred (if they did not like
the entire selection). Three (3) of the devices obtained more than the necessary super-majority
support vote. The three devices that passed are center medians, one at each end of Longridge and
one half-way between Lester and Carlton Avenues. These devices obtained 78% and 73% support
votes, respectively. (The devices that did not pass were the curb bulb-outs). The ballot return rate
was forty-two percent (42%0), considered a good representative vote for a neighborhood. After the
results were tallied, a letter was sent to all designated residents of the neighborhood vote outcome.
(Attachment 2).
The trial traffic calming devices are intended to "test" the device and determine if they do indeed
calm traffic. The trial devices are not as sightly as a permanent feature: temporary devices are
rubberized curbs that are attached as center medians with appropriate reflective signage. Once
installed, these devices will be tested for a period of three to six months, after which new traffic data
will be collected. Staff will then conduct another neighborhood vote to determine if resident support
exists for permanent hardscape center medians. The results of the follow-up traffic study and
neighborhood vote will be reported to Council at a future time.
CONCLUSION:
The results of the neighborhood vote indicate that the neighborhood meeting process was effective:
well over 70%0 of the residents who cast a vote support this trial project. If approved by Council, staff
will schedule installation of temporary traffic calming devices on Longridge Road within the next
several weeks, weather permittinb.(Attachment 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
PAGE 3
MAYOR A' TOW i x COUNCIL
SUBJECT- APPROVE TEAVORARY TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL FOR
LONGRIDGE ROAD
January 13, 2004
FISCAL DvfPACT:
The temporary traffic devices and signs are estimated to cost S 1000, and staff will re-use existing
rubber curbs in supply to meet this cost. Funds are available in the CIF Project 4 400-0208 expense
account # 82008 for this purpose this fiscal year. The estimated future cost for permanent, hardscape
cement traffic devices is approximately 512,000 that would potentially occur in FY 04-05 if
neighborhood support exists for the devices to become permanent, with Council approval at that
time.
Attachments:
1. Neighborhood Vote letter, 9-29-03
2. Vote Outcome letter 11-13-03
3. Traffic Calming Proposal Map
TowoF L.os AT
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTM ENT tt~ E MAN S
(408) 399-5770 ?'.0. Box 949
F_'AX ( 408) 354-8529 LOSGArns,CA 95MI
September 29, 2003
Subject: Neighborhood Vote-Temporarv Traffic Calming for Longridge Avenue Area
Dear Longridge Avenue Area Residents,
At a neighborhood meeting held September 18, 2003, it was agreed to conduct a neighborhood
vote to determine if there is support to install temporary traffic calming devices for a pilot period
of three to six months. The devices chosen are a combination of center medians and curb bulb-outs
or extended curbs, along Longridge Avenue. The attached drawing shows the Town's Traffic
Engineer's concept and locations for these devices- .
Following the Town's Traffic Calming Policy, if 67% support is obtained for this proposal, the next
step is for staff to report this proposal to the Town Council to obtain their approval. ('the
neighborhood will be notified of the Council report date). If so approved, the Traffic Engineer-will
paint the locations first to allow the Fire Department to ensure the turning radius is sufficient for
their equipment, and to obtain input from residents concerning any location issues. After the devices
are installed and the pilot period has occurred, additional traffic data will be collected to determine
the effect of these devices on traffic, and a second neighborhood vote will be conducted to obtain
feedback to determine if there is support for these devices to become permanent.
A `postcard vote' form is included in this letter. Feedback. from each resident/property owner in the
affected neighborhood is being requested to determine if a super-maj ority (67%) o f the neighborhood
supports having these devices installed for a test period. One vote is allowed per residence. Please
complete the ballot form and return it to this department by October 24et. If you have any need
for additional information, please contact the Town's Traffic Engineer, Jessy Pu at 395-2859 or
Public Work's Administrative Analyst, Mary Gillespie-Greenberg at 399-5776.
Sincerely,
J
C . . Curtis
irector
Enclosures
ATTACHMENT I
LONGRIDGE AVENUE -AREA
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL
BALLOT
Your address: Apt/Site#
circle response
1) I amp in favor of installing all of the devices (center medians and curb bulbouts)
along Longridge Avenue, as indicated in the concept drawing.
YES NO
2)'I am not in favor of all devices. I gin only in favor- of the following device:
A) Center median at Longridge and Carlton
YES NO
B) Center median and curb bulb-out at Longridge & Maricopa;
YES NO
C) Center Median at Potomac
YES- AV0
D) Center. median and two curb bulb-outs at Longridge & Hollycrest
YES NO
E) Center Median and one curb bulb-out at Longridge and Greendale_
YES. NO
F) Center Median at Longridge and Lester Lane
YES NO
Additional Comments:
Please return to: PPW, 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030 by Oct.24, 2003
Thankyou for participating in this public process.
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November 13, 2003
]INFORMATION NOTICE
Re: Longridge Road Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Vote Outcome
Dear Resident,
This letter is to update you on the neighborhood traffic calming review being conducted for the Longridge Road
area. Residents of Longridge,.Greendale, Hollycrest, Maricopa and Potomac were recently sent a ballot
concerning a proposal to test temporary traffic calming devices in an effort to reduce vehicle driving speeds.
(Traffic data collected indicates there is significant speeding: the 85`}'% speeds are 33MPH; the speed limit
is 25MPH). The proposal is intended to reduce vehicle speeds.
The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Ballot Proposal:
The proposal had six possible locations with two types of temporary traffic calming devices: center medians_
and/or curb bulb-outs. The ballot gave residents two voting options, to either vote for the full proposal, or to
vote on each option. Additionally, we asked for comments. Of the ninety-five (95) ballots sent to residents of
Longridge, Greendale, Hollycrest, Maricopa and Potomac, (the designated neighborhood), forty (40) ballots
were returned indicating a forty-two percent (42%) return rate, a good representative vote of the neighborhood..
The Vote Outcome:
The policy requires a 67% approval rating to pass a proposal to the next step. Of the six (6) options to choose
from, three (3) passed. The percentage of votes cast in favor of each device were as follows:
A) Center Median at Longridge and Carlton: 78% in favor: PASSED
B) Center Median & Bulb-outs at Longridge & Maricopa: 60% in favor: FAILED
C) Center median at Potomac & Longridge: 73% in favor: PASSED
D) Center median & bulb-outs at Longridge & Hollycrest: 60% in favor: FAILED
E) Center median and bulb-outs at Longridge & Greendale: 6016 in favor: FAILED
F) Center median at Longridge and Lester Lane: 78% in favor: PASSED
Next Steps:
Your neighborhood now has a proposal that is supported by the. required 67% vote. The next step in the traffic
calming review process is to present the proposal, (the three options that passed), to the Town Council for
approval. Staff will prepare a report and present it to Town Council, possibly scheduled for December, 2003, or
January, 2004. If approved by Council, the three temporary devices (rubberized curb medians) will be installed
and tested tilree to six months, to follow with new traffic data collected and a second neighborhood vote to
see if 67% support exists for the devices to become permanent, and report those outcomes to Council for
approval. If you would like to be informed of the upcoming Council report date, or have any other questions,
please contact the Par'_~s and Public Works Department Analyst, Mary Gillespie-Greenberg at (408) 399-y/7-
Sincerely,
is
o Dire for
and Public Works Department
ATTACHMENT 2
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