18 Staff Report - Downtown Gateway Design Working Group
DATE: COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA REPORT March 30, 2004 MEETING DATE: 4/5/04 ITEM NO. \ ! TO: FROM: SUBJECT: CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE DEBRA J. FIGONE,
TOWN MANAGER/.LJ..a . IVE DIRECTOR REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DOWNTOWN GATEWAY DESIGN WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS
RECOMMENDATION: Review recommendations from the Downtown Gateway Design Working Group and provide direction to staff on the next steps in the process. BACKGROUND: TheLos Gatos Downtown
Beautification Improvements is based on a concept plan approved by the Town Council in 1996. In 1996 the Council/Agency approved the Downtown Beautification Master Plan developed by
Landscape Architect Paul Rodrigues of Santa Cruz. The initial implementation phase of the plan occurred in 1997 along the south end ofNorth Santa Cruz Avenue between.Main Street and
Bean Avenue. The plan envisions new sidewalks using what is referred to as a "Villa Hermosa" style, choked-down intersections to slow traffic and make it easier for pedestrians to cross
Santa Cruz Avenue, new raised planter boxes with street trees, new lighting fixtures at crosswalk locations, and new street furniture such as benches, trash receptacles, and bollards.
PREPARED BY: lJD. <:. Cwi1 E. CURTIS Director ofParks and Public Works Reviewed by: Town Manager Attorney __Clerk 12 Finance __Community
Development Revised: 3/30/04 11:22 am Reforrilatted: 5/30/02 N:\B&E\COVNCIL REPORTS\gateway.design.wpd ..
PAGE 2 CHAIR. AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DOWNTOWN GATEWAY DESIGN WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE
DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS MARCH 30, 2004 On June 5, 2000, the Council!Agency approved a list of capital projects for the Central Los Gatos Redevelopment Project.
Identified for Downtown Beautification Improvements were the following projects:• Santa Cruz AvenuelBachmanAvenue Intersection Improvements • Grays Lane Improvements • Town Plaza Renovation
• Main StreetlUniversity Avenue Ihtersection Improvements • Santa Cruz Avenue/WoodRoad Traffic Circle (Gateway) • Santa Cruz Avenue/Highway 9 Intersection Improvements (Gateway) Over
the past 3 years various beautification improvements have been constructed in the Central Downtown area. This work included the reconstruction of Town Plaza and Santa Cruz Avenue Streetscape
Improvements. The streetscape improvements along Main Street and the reconstruction ofSanta Cruz Avenue are planned for the next 2 years. The Gateway improvements, however, were not
included in the RDA bond funding that was acquired in 2002, as neither this concept nOr their design had been established at that time. As the discussion about the downtown gateways
was initiated over a year ago, there has been interest from members ofthe community on placement ofgateways at other points of entry in Town. After much discu.ssion, the Council directed
staffto start the work on the development of the downtown gateways at this time and pursue other gateway locations throughout the Town at a future date. At its meeting of August 8, 2003,
the Council appointed an eleven member Working Group to develop designs for the two downtown gateways (1. Wood Road and Santa Cruz Avenue; 2. Highway 9 and Santa Cruz Avenue). Attached
is a list ofthe elevenmenibetsthat represent a broad cross-section of experience in Los Gatos. It was determined by the Council that this group would focus on the two downtown gateways,
and once this process was complete, the Council would consider a process to look at other gateways to the Town. DISCUSSION: The Gateway Group began meeting in the Fall of2003 and completed
its third and final meeting in December,2003. The group was facilitated by Callander Associates (Landscape Architects) who is the landscape architect for the downtown streetscape improvements
working under BKF Engineers. Callander Associates has extensive experience in working on gateway design elements and did an excellent job with the group. The framework for the design
ofthe gateways was the approved '1996 Downtown Streetscape Plan. At the Highway 9 Gateway, this plan conceptually called forlthe elimination of the "pork chop" islands and creating large
bulb outs to allow for additionall'andscaping, hardscape, and entryway elements.
PAGE 3 CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUBJECT: REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DOWNTOWN GATEWAY DESIGN WORKINGGROUP AND PROVIDE
DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS MARCH 30, 2004 At the Wood Road Gateway, an approval ofan expansion to the Toll House Hotel in the late 1990's called for a traffic
circle with other gateway elements. Callander Associates provided the group with examples ofgateways from other cities and ideas that might reflect the unique nature ofLos Gatos at these
key locations. The group, with facilitation by Callander Associates, then worked to come up with concepts for each ofthe gateways. Callander Associates subsequently developed the conceptual
designs and generated costs estimates. The final concept design as recommended by the gateway group is as follows: Santa Cruz Avenue/HWY 9 intersection: The "pork chop" islands would
be removed and new decorative sidewalks will be constructed at the 4 comers ofthe intersection. In addition to the new sidewalks, landscaping treatment and metal railings would be installed
in the space behind new sidewalks to accent the entryway into Santa Cruz Avenue. This project would also require installation of a new traffic signal at this intersection. These intersection
modifications are better undertaken after other project work, such as when the undergrounding of overhead power lines on Highway 9 is completed. It is also important to coordinate the
timing of this project with adja,cent projects, as its location causes it to beofa high impact on the surrounding area during construction. Santa Cruz Avenue/Wood Road intersection:
The main feature of this gateway is installatiollof a traffic circle on Santa Cruz Avenue at Wood Road. There would be a heritage tree planted in the middle of this traffic circle with
decorative landscaping and lighting surrounding the tree. Median islands would be installed on Santa Cruz Avenue north and south of this traffic circle which is intended to narrow down
the road way and slow down the traffic from HYW 17. Decorative sidewalks and landscaping would also be installed on Wood Road to facilitate between pedestrian movements. This project
provides less impact on the surrounding area during construction. Traffic will be able to flow through the intersection with only minor delays while construction is underway. Attachment
2 shows the outlines of the recommended design concepts. A representative from Callander Associates will present the designs to the Town Council along with the preliminary cost estimates
as well as answer questions that the Council may have. CONCLUSION: Following review of the conceptual designs by the Council, the Council may wish to: 1. Accept the designs in concept
and request that the next step for staff is to develop a strategy for funding the construction ofthe gateways. No additional design work (either conceptual or construction documents)
would be undertaken until a funding strategy is approved. Fine tuning of the conceptual design would take place at a later date. ,, .
PAGE 4 CHAIR. AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENTAGENCY SUBJECT: REVIEW ltECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DOWNTOWN GATEWAY DESIGN WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE
DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS MARCH 30, 2004 2. Direct the consultant to make specific revisions to the conceptual designs based on input from the CounciL These
changes would then be made and would come back to Council for approval prior to developing a funding strategy. 3. Provide other direction either regarding the design concept or project
funding allocation. Staff would like to express its appreciation to the Gateway Design Working Group members for volunteering their time to develop the conceptual design ofthese gateways.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: There are no funds allocated at the present time for the downtown gateways.
The construction cost estimate for the Santa Cruz Avenue /Wood Road Gateway is $600,000 and for Santa Cruz Avenue /Highway 9 Gateway is $1,100,000. A potential source of funds is the
Redevelopment Agency through a new bond issue, or through funds that may be leftover from current bonds. The General Fund is another source, if funds ate available. Additional possibilities
include grant funding, as available for traffic calming projects, and the borrowing of Town funds bythe RDA. Borrowing, however, can only be undertaken if theRDA has the capacity to
repay loans to bond holders or the General Fund. . Attachments 1. List of Gateway Working-Group Members 2. Gateway Preferred Plans Distribution: Gateway Design Working Group Callandar
Associates, 311 Seventh Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401 BKF Engineers, 981 Ridder Park Drive, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95131-2305 Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, 349 North Santa Cruz Avenue,
Los Gatos, CA 95030 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\gateway.design.wpd
· DOWNTOWN GATEWAY DESIGN WORKING GROUP APPLICANT EXPERIENCE/CIVIC INVOLVEMENT Karen Hebert 2002/03 Leadership Los Gatos Tim Boyd Leadership Los Gatos Judy Wallace Fund raising for High
School, Museum house tour, Junior League of San Jose Shirley Henderson Beautification Committee, Banner Committee, Transportation and Parking Commission Chris Miller Leadership Los Gatos
Tim Hoagland L.G. Blvd. Design Charette, Fiesta De Arts Jade Bradbury-Kalogeros Museum Association, Community producer for KCAT Leonard Pacheco Planning Commission, Historic Preservation
Committee, Art Selection Committee Brent Ventura Planning Commission, Town Council Sandy Moeckel Retired Citizen Bill Parkin Docent at L.G. Historic Homes Tour, St. Mary's Social Justice
Committee N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\gateway.working.group.wpd , . Attachment 1
j---TOWN OF Los GATOS DOWNTOWN GATEWAY STUDY G:'t: Callander Associates
. . OIOlllo<lAhlrlo".' nJ"lo. Preferred Plan Wood Road Gateway November 14,2003 ATTACHMENT 2
'.' ',i _. ---/' TOWN OF Los GATOS DOWNTOWN GATEWAY STUDY EHOI.£ll\sISIJIlYUOIlS/PI.AIlNEIlS t.";"1 callander Associates ldlldsGlpel\f,:hitE'cllllC',hK \:; �
� n-rJo' Preferred Plan Highway 9 Gateway November 14, 2003