04 Staff Report - Highland Oaks-Chirco-Placer Oaks Area Neighborhood
DATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT FEBRUARY 10,2004 DEBRA 1. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE:02/17/04 ITEM NO. t-f SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PERMANENT
TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES FOR THE HIGHLAND OAKS-CHIRCO-PLACER OAKS AREA NEIGHBORHOOD RECOMMENDATION: Approval of permanent traffic calming measures for the Highand Oaks-Chirco-Placer
Oaks area neighborhood. BACKGROUND: A trial traffic calming process for this neighborhood was approved by Council on February 18, 2003, after neighborhood meetings, votes and communications
that spanned twenty-two months, from March, 2001 to January 2003. The neighborhood's request for traffic calming was to slow vehicle speeds. The posted speed limit is 25MPH. Traffic
data collected in 2001 and 2002 indicated the 85th percentile vehicle speeds on individual street speeds averaged 305MPH, ranging from 27.5MPH to 33.5MPH. As there are no sidewalks in
many parts of this neighborhood, the vehicle speeds concerned pedestrians who walk alongside the the edge of the roadway. Thus, staff worked with the neighborhood to identify methods
to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety for this neighborhood. The outcome ofthe several neighborhood meetings held during 2001 and 2002 was the development of a trial traffic
calming proposal that had nine (9) devices. A neighborhood vote was conducted in January, 2003 to determine if 67% of the neighborhood supported the whole, or parts of, this proposal.
That neighborhood vote's outcome indicated only seven (7) of the nine (9) devices obtained the necessary 67% support vote: The speed humps on Izorah Way and Corinne Drive did not have
the required support vote. A notice was sent to the entire neighborhood in January, 2003, with this vote outcome. ( PREPARED BY: ¥Ihn E. Curtis Parks and
Public Works Reviewed by: Manager __Attorney __Clerk __Community Development Revised: 2/10/04 -s'Uinance 11:08 am Refonnatted: 5/30102 Proposal.wpd
N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\2-17-04 Chirco Trraffic Calming
PAGE 2 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES FOR THE HIGHLAND OAKS-CHIRCO-PLACER OAKS AREA NEIGHBORHOOD February 10, 2004 Staff
subsequently received a petition from Corinne Drive residents indicating they collected the necessary 67% support. However, staffdetermined it should notsupercede official vote
and that it was very possible additional speed humps would not be necessary as the other traffic devices slow traffic in the entire area. As a potential cost savings could also
be realized, staffrecommended a two-phased approach to address the Corinne Drive residents' concerns that traffic volumes and speeds would be moved over to their street. Phase One was
to install the seven options, and after three months to collect new data. If the new traffic data indicated increased speeds or volumes on either Corinne or Izorah Way, staff was to
initiate Phase Two to install speed humps as soon as feasible on either of those streets. Council approved this recommendation in February, 2003 DISCUSSION: The seven trial traffic calming
options were installed in March, 2003 and tested for several months. New traffic data was collected in September, 2003, indicating all streets' speeds were reduced to below 30MPH, and
no significant change in volumes occurred (except on Highland Oaks as intended during commute.times). There was no evidence that any speeding or volumes were transferred to Corinne orIzorah.
In fact, were reduced as much as 5.5 MPH on some streets. New vehicle speeds range from 26MPH to 29MPH on the various streets in this neighborhood. The new· data indicates
the various traffic calming devices tested were successful in reducing vehicle speeds. . To determine ifthere is super-majority (67%) neighborhood support for the trial devices to become
permanent, a second neighborhood vote was conducted in October, 2003. The following is a summary ofthe permanent traffic calming vote outcome: Returned Votes by Option Overall Vote Entire
Area Area Street Vote Option's Area's Percentage of Area % of Votes in Favor Votes in Favor Option A: Eastbound Lark Ave at Highland Oaks; 82% 88% "No Left Turn 4PM-7PM" Option B: Highland
Oaks at Oak Park; 3-way 86% 82% stop Option C: Garden Lane; One Speed Hump 86% 80% Option D: Benedict Lane; Two Speed Humps 84% 89% Option E: Chirco Drive; Traffic Circle 68% 67% Option
F: Placer Oaks at Oak Rim; Raised 85% 67% Intersection -Option G: Izorah & Flintridge; White edgeline 93% 80%
PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES FOR THE HIGHLAND OAKS-CHIRCO-PLACER OAKS AREA NEIGHBORHOOD February 10,2004 As indicated in the
chart above, all options received the required 67% support vote, or more. Staff is satisfied the Phase One devices are sufficient in reducing speeding and additional Phase Two traffic
calming measures are not needed elsewhere in the neighborhood. Anotice was sentNovember 24,2003, concerning the outcome of this vote to the area neighborhood (Attachment 1). Numerous
comments were received with the ballots, in which two issues were identified: Option E, the traffic circle's size and stark appearance and Option A, the turn restriction's need during
commute days only (currently restriction is everyday). Staff agrees with the neighborhood's concerns, and proposes to design the permanent traffic circle to be slightly smaller and have
a better appearance, with the input of the nearby residents, and to change the turn restriction to weekdays . only. The traffic circle would be constructed using hardscape, not with
landscaping. CONCLUSION: Staff recommends approval of permanent traffic calming measures in this large neighborhood. Residents contributed to this process, including neighborhood meetings
and two neighborhood votes. Staffconsiders this proj ect has been proven successful, as demonstratedby the traffic data and the neighborhood votes. (Attachment 2) . . ... ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT: This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: The following is the cost of this project's devices: MATERIALS: Speed humps, asphalt
(3) Traffic circle Raised intersection, asphalt Signs, edgeline & painting Total Proj ect Cost Trial Period Permanent $ 7,161 $ 1,500 (rubberized) $12,000 (concrete) $ 8,937. $ 7,004
$ 24,602 $36,602 Funds are available in this year's traffic calming program budget (Account #400-0208) to install the permanent traffic circle ($12,000). The Traffic Calming budget has
a current balance of$58,864 for this fiscal year. Additionally, a private development project on Los Gatos Boulevard has contriQ.uted $5,000 toward the traffic calming circle. Attachments:
1. Notice November 24,2003 to Neighborhood Regarding Vote Outcome 2. Permanent Traffic Calming plil.ll
November 24, 2003 INFORMATION NOTICE Re: Highland Oaks-Chirco-Placer Oaks Neighborhood Traffic Calming Vote Outcome Residents of the area from Highland Oaks to Placer Oaks, between.Los
Gatos Blvd. and Highway 17 were recently sent a ballot asking whether or not to have the various trial traffic calming devices become permanent. Many of you may recall these devices
were installed in an effort to see if they would reduce vehicle speeds. The devices were developed by residents of your neighborhood; they were the outcome of several neighborhood meetings
and a previous neighborhood vote in December 2002, were approved by the Town Council in February, 2003 and instaUed in April, 2003. The process and procedure followed the Town's Traffic
Calming Policy, (available at www.town.los-gatos.ca.uslservicesllc.html or by calling 408/399-5770 to obtain a copy). Background: Previous to their installation, traffic data was collected
several times, indicating there was significant speeding: the average 85th percentile speeds were over 30MPH; vehicle speeds collected on the various streets ranged from 33.5MPH to 27.5MPH.
The speed limit is 25 MPH. Additionally, a special traffic study (an "origindestination" license plate study) determined drivers are from this neighborhood and are not outside "cut-through"
traffic. A comprehensive approach was needed for your large neighborhood with many entry points. Also, devices were placed where high speeds were occurring. After the trial devices were
installed and tested, (including speed humps, raised intersection, restricted turns and stop signs), new traffic data was collected indicating 85th percentile speeds have reduced, ranging
from 26MPH to 29MPH, a reduction of up to five and a half (5.5) MPH on some streets, a significant decrease in vehicle speeds. Additionally, the turn restriction on Highland Oaks reduced
traffic volumes there as intended, while many other street volumes remained the same. This data indicates the devices reduced speeds as proposed. (Note: Corinne Drive was not approved
for trial speed humps because their area's vote in December 2002 did not have the necessary 67% support. New traffic data indicates the 85th percentile speeds on Corinne have reduced·
from 31.5 to 29 MPH). The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Ballot Proposal: The recent ballot asked residents to vote "YES" or "NO" on having the devices to become permanent. Ofthe three
hundred four (304) ballots sent to residents in your designated traffic calming area, one hundred forty-eight (148) ballots were returned, indicating a forty-nine percent (49%) return
rate, (a very good representative vote). Percentage Votes m. Favor: OPTION A: Eastbound Lark Ave at Highland Oaks; "No Left Turn 4PM-7PM" 82% OPTION B:Highland Oaks at Oak Park; 3-way
stop 86% OPTION C: Garden Lane; One Speed Hump 86% OPTION D: Benedict Lane; Two Speed Humps 84% OPTION E: Chirco Drive; Traffic Circle 68% OPTION F: Placer Oaks at Oak Rim; Raised Intersection
85% OPTION G: Izorah Way & Flintridge; White Edgelines 93% The Vote Outcome: The overall voting outcome was as follows: ATT ArHMENT I
Additionally, the voting outcome was sorted by area near each device, as follows: OPTION A: (Lark Ave Tum Restriction onto Highland Oaks) 88% in favor OPTIONB: (Highland Oaks/Oak Park
3-way stop) 82% in favor OPTIONC: (Garden Lane Speed Hump) 80% in favor OPTIOND: (Benedict Lane Speed Humps) 89% in favor OPTIONE: (Chirco Drive,Traffic .Circle) 67 % in favor OPTIONF:
(Placer Oaks/Oak Rim Raised Intersection) 67% in favor OPTIONG: (!zora.h & Flintridge;"white edgeline) 80% in favor y our vote outcome, by both large and adjacent
'area, indicates the required 67% support is present for all these devices to become permanent. Specifically, the speed humps, raised intersection, stop and turn restriction signs would
remain as they are placed now, whereas the rubberized-curb ·traffic circle would be replaced with a permanent, cement-formed traffic circle. The feasibility oflandscaping will be discussed
in a report to ToWn Council. Comments Received: Of the 149 ballots received; eighty (80) had various comments. The most common corrunents addressed two issues: the traffic circle and
the turn restriction at Lark onto Highland Oaks. The tra.ffic circle cOIl1Il1ents inchided its appearance and size. (Note: the temporary rubber curbs are used to provide an inexpensive
method to tty this device. A permanent traffic circle w,ould be constructed in cement, including "rolled curbs" and river rock). The turn restriction comments requested to limit the
restriction to Monday through Friday. Staff will recommend to modify both the traffic circle and turn restriction, to a slightly smaller size and better appearance, and restrict turning
to Monday to Friday only, respectively. Staff will also prOpose to design the tra.ffic circle with the input ofthe nearby residents. . Summary: The Town's 'Traffic Calming Policy is
intended to address neighborhood traffic issues with consensus as the key ingredient. Residents create a draft solution with the expertise of the Town's Traffic Engineer, present it
to their neighbors, and must obtain a super-majority support of residents for both the trial and permanent solution (as indicated by a neighborhood vote), for it to go forward to Council
for consideration and approval. It is a policy where consensus -not a majority but a 67% super-majority -IDllst support the solution. Not all residents will be in agreement, but each
residence will have an opportunity to voice their opinion and:be heard (both during the development and vote process, where one vote per residence is allowed). Because a super-majority
is required to move a proposal forward, the neighborhood is represented in the fairest manner possible. The process is long and ensures many residents support it. Your neighborhood has
participated effectively in this process. Next Steps: Your neighborhood now has a final traffic calming proposal (permanent traffic calming devices). The next step in the traffic calming
review process is for staff to present a report to Town Council with an update of the outcome of the test period (new data indicating reduced speeds) and the recent vote (indicating
support for devices to become permanent). This staff report will be scheduled in the upcoming months, possibly February or March, 2004. If approved by Council, the devices will become
permanent and the neighborhood traffic calming process will be completed. If you would like to be informed of the upcoming Council report date, or have any other questions, please contact
the Parks and Public Works Department Analyst, Mary Gillespie-Greenberg at (408) 399-5776. Sincerely, " C /; ,r J, /J' .I I J !"I...... i ..,fl;-c,\,/v{..; u., t-lv.v1
John E. Curtis, Director J)V". , Parks Warks Department
CHIRCO NEIGHBORHOOD AREA Proposed Permanent Traffic Calming Plan [6] A "no right-turn 4 PM to 7 PM MON-FRI" sign restricting right-turn from Lark to Highland Oaks. ffiJ A 3-way stop
at Highland Oaks/Oak Park. Speed hump for Benedict and Garden Lane. [Q] A traffic circle island at Chirco/Benedict. [I] A raised intersection at Placer Oaks/Oak Rim . .[[] White edgelines
for Izorah from Placer Oaks to Frank, Flintridge, and Chirco from Flintridge to Corinne. '<C -J .' , -'. /" I I I ! > • f oo ::r: O' z« 0::: LL >o LJ -J IZORAH.
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