13 Staff Report - Wraight - Woodland Avenue Area Traffic Calming
'3 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: 10/18/04 ITEM NO. DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2004 TO: FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR
WRAIGHT -WOODLAND AVENUE AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING IN A TWO-PHASED APPROACH RECOMMENDATION: Accept proposal for Wraight-Woodland Avenue Area Permanent Traffic Calming in a two-phased
approach. BACKGROUND: In March 2003, Council approved a temporary traffic calming proposal for the Wraight-Woodland Avenue area. This proposal was the result ofnumerous meetings with
the neighborhood to design a traffic calming proposal. This report will review the history ofthis project and the neighborhood's transition due to adjacent development projects, the
temporary traffic calming project's outcome and staffs recommendation to implement the permanent traffic calming proposal. JOHNE. CURTIS Director ofParks and Public Works PREPARED BY:
In 2002, Community Development staff requested Parks and Public Works staff to implement the Town's Traffic Calming Policy for the Wraight Avenue neighborhood whose residents had concerns
about the developments at 404 University Avenue and 484 Woodland Avenue, both located in the southern end of this neighborhood. Neighborhood concerns included perceived "cut-through"
traffic from Highway 9 and future increased traffic from both developments. The Town's Traffic Engineer collected speed and volume data for this neighborhood and determined there was
no significant "cut-through" traffic, speeds and volumes were very low on all but one street (northbound direction of Wraight), and that the developments will not substantially change
those traffic conditions. Staffmet with Engineers representing both projects to provide input on ingress and egress. Staffs goal is to ensure safe ingress, egress and driving conditions
are provided to the entire neighborhood, including the new inhabitants at the developments. Reviewed by: __Assistant Town Manager ---fl\iLAttorney __Clerk iC! Finance
Development Revised: 10/14/04 '12:56 pm Reformatted: 5/30/02 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\10-18-04 Wraight Traffic Calming Report.wpd
PAGE 2 SUBJECT: ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR WRAIGHT-WOODLAND AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING OCTOBER 11, 2004 The traffic data collected in 2002 indicated
this neighborhood qualified for traffic calming due to northbound traffic speeds onWraight Avenue in excess of30MPH: the 85th percentile vehicle speeds were 31MPH for northbound Wraight
Avenue only. All other streets vehicle speeds were under 30MPH. (Vehicle speeds above 30MPH qualify for traffic calming). Although the neighborhood expressed concerns of "cut-through"
traffic, especially during commute hours, the traffic data indicated there was no significant "cut-through" traffic-only a few cars were observed to "cutthrough". Additionally, vehicle
volumes in the neighborhood ranged from 100 to 600 vehicles per day for the various streets, well under the 1500 vehicles per day criteria for traffic calming. Although the overall traffic
volumes and speeds for this neighborhood are low, the neighborhood qualified for traffic calming program. The qualifying criteria and plan for action under the traffic calming policy
has been solely to bring the vehicle speeds on Wraight Avenue under 30MPH. Staff held several neighborhood meetings during 2002. At these meetings, the residents provided input on their
traffic issues and concerns of the future developments' impacts. In attendance were staffrepresenting the Town's Police, Public Works and CommunityDevelopmentDepartments, and a County
Fire Department representative. Combining all this information, staff assisted residents in developing solutions. The outcome was a proposal to install devices at the southern ends of
Wraight andWoodlandAvenues to prohibit northbound traffic. Aneighborhood vote was conducted. Eight-eight (88) ballots were sent. The returned ballots included sixteen (16) from 484 Woodland
Avenue (Woodland Park) residents and forty (40) from the "upper" neighborhood. The outcome of this vote was 67% ofreturned ballots were in support ofthe proposal. This proposal was presented
to Council on December 11, 2002. At that Council meeting, approximately ten (10) residents from 484 Woodland Avenue spoke in opposition to the plan, indicating errors in the neighborhood
process. Council requested staff to reconvene neighborhood meetings to develop an inclusive solution. In January, 2003, several meetings were held in the neighborhood between residents.
Staff also scheduled meetings with the "upper" and "lower" neighborhoods to discuss issues and find common ground. Staffthen scheduled a meeting inviting all residents ofthis neighborhood.
The outcome of the neighborhood meeting was a trial proposal to test two options for two months each. Both options were to include a large center median at the Highway 9 and WraightlWoodland
"triangle": • Option One prohibited northbound traffic from Highway 9 and 484 Woodland properties by installing temporary Yi-road closures at the southern ends of Wraight and Woodland
Avenues. • Option Two allowed two-way traffic, but installed curb bulb-outs at the ends ofWoodland and Wraight Avenues and along Wraight Avenue to slow traffic. This proposal was reported
to Town Council in March, 2003, and approvedbyCouncil to implement this trial traffic calming proposal. This report reviews the trial proj ect options' implementation and outcome.
PAGE 3 SUBJECT: ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR WRAIGHT-WOODLAND AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING OCTOBER 11, 2004 DISCUSSION: The temporary traffic calming devices
were installed in early 2004 for a test period oftwo months each. After each test period, new traffic data was collected. The new traffic data indicates success was achieved under both
options. Vehicle speeds on Wraight Avenue were reduced to under 30MPH in both scenarios. It is possible the center median at the Highway 9 "triangle" created the greatest impact on the
northbound traffic (by slowing traffic), whereas the other devices are secondary. ill. addition to reduced traffic speeds, traffic volumes for the various streets in this neighborhood
were reduced. It should also be noted that the 484 Woodland Avenue property has been uninhabited for over one year, including during this trial traffic calming test period. Traffic data
collected in 2002 and 2004 is asfollows: Street Scenario Year Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle 85th% 85th% Volumes Volumes Volumes Speeds Speeds N-bound S-bound 2-way N-Sbound Bound Wraight Before
2002 175 127 302 31.3 29.4 mid-block Project Option 1 2004 30 87 117 25.4 27.3 Option 2 2004 102 74 176 27.8 26.0 Wraight at Option 1 2004 4 24 28 26.0 28.0 Woodland Option 2 2004 88
72 160 23.1 23.3 Chester Before 2002 257 305 562 23.5 23.0 west of Project Wraight Option 1 2004 270 167 437 21.4 22.7 Option 2 2004 176 192 368 21.1 22.6 Bird Before 2002 47 59 106
28.0 27.0 Project Woodland Option 1 2004 9 27 36 21.7 21.9 at so. end ill. summary, under both traffic calming option trials, speeds were reduced on Wraight Avenue to well under 30MPH.
All other streets' traffic speeds are also below 30MPH, some below 25MPH.
PAGE 4 SUBJECT: ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR WRAIGHT-WOODLAND AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING OCTOBER 11, 2004 Volumes are also very low under all scenarios.
This neighborhood has minimal traffic issues compared to many other neighborhoods in Town. However, it should be noted that during Option One, the northbound restrictions were not observed
by all drivers: two-months after installation of the ''No Entry" signs, there should have been zero (0) northbound traffic on Wraight and Woodland from Highway 9. Because ofthis, staff
does not consider Option One as fully successful because drivers did not obey the restriction. The Town's Traffic CalmingPolicy is intended to provide driving modifications that do not
require enforcement, but rather that provide physical devices to alter traffic behaviors. The center median at Highway 9 "triangle" is a good example ofmodifying driving behaviors as
it requires lower speeds to negotiate. This traffic datawas shared with the neighborhoodwhen a neighborhood vote was conducted during the summer of2004. Staff sent seventy-one (71) ballots
to the i:tnmediate neighborhood, including ten (10) off-site residents of 484 Woodland who will be returning to live there once the housing upgrades are completed. Of these, fifty (50)
ballots were returned, a seventy-one (71%) percent return rate, (a very good voter turn-out rate). The Neighborhood Vote: e percentage 0 f votes cast'III f avor 0 f each op1flOn, b'Ythe
en Ire nel.gJhborh00d: Options: Option One Option Two Neither Option Votes: 84% support 12% support 4% support Th With 84% support of the neighborhood, Option One surpassed the required
minimum of 67% neighborhood support, as indicated in the chart above. e percentage 0 f votes cast'III favor 0 f each OPlflOn, b)Y Street : Street Option One Option Two Neither Option
Bird 100% support -0--0-Chester 78% support 22% support -0-Wraight 88% support 6% support 6% support Woodland 80% support 10% support 10% support Th Additional analysis of the votes
by street as indicated in the chart above, further breaks down the voting patterns to identify streets where the traffic calming devices have positive and negative impacts. Option One
also passed with the required support from each street. This analysis indicates the options were fully supported by Bird Avenue residents whereas there is less support from the other
street's residents for these devices. The traffic calming process is intended to find consensus, not unanimity, and the required 67% support vote was also obtained from each street.
PAGES SUBJECT: ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR WRAIGHT-WOODLAND AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING OCTOBER 11, 2004 As stated previously, both test options reduced
vehicle speeds to below 30MPH, the goal of this traffic calming project. To implement the permanent traffic calming proposal, staff believe it is necessary to balance the needs of the
entire neighborhood in a safe and prudent manner. This neighborhood is in a transition stage with the 484 Woodland property nearing completion for habitation. Seventy-seven (77) homes
should be inhabited by the end of this calendar year. Two-Phased Approach to Implement Option One Traffic Calming Proposal: Staff believe it to be in, the best interests of the neighborhood
and the town to implement this neighborhood's permanent traffic calming proposal in a two-phased approach. A two-phased approach will provide staffthe ability to identify and address
unintended negative consequences and manage resources wisely. • Phase One is to install a permanent center median at the Highway 9/Wraight-Woodland "triangle", and re-install the "No
Entry" signs and temporary rubberized curb bulb-outs at the southern ends ofWraight and Woodland Avenues. • Phase Two is to monitor and observe traffic as the 484 Woodland property becomes
inhabited, anticipated in 2005. Ifno safety issues arise due to southbound-only egress for 484 Woodland, to install permanent curb bulb-outs at southern ends of Wraight and Woodland,
replacing the rubberized curbs. However, if safety issues are present, this becomes a safety issue where staff will need to determine a solution which may necessitate allowing northbound
traffic on Wraight and/or Woodland during certain hours. Funding for traffic improvement projects is direly needed in the immediate area, (such as the University Avenue intersection).
As the traffic data indicates, both options were successful. A twophased approach should not have any impact on traffic in the neighborhood. It is fiscally prudent to approach this project
in a a two-phased approach that will allow staff to make proper safety improvements to the area ifnecessary. Staffis exploring the possibility that any future modification to the traffic
calming improvements be funded by the owner/applicant ofthe 484 Woodland mobile home rehabilitation project, if the Town determines that improvements are deemed appropriate and prudent
for safety reasons. Staffhave received comments from the neighborhood's current residents expressing concerns about future impacts when 484 Woodland is occupied. Staffanalysis is that
the vehicle volumes will return to the levels when 484 Woodland was occupied, but that the volumes will continue to stay well below the threshold oftraffic calming criteria. (The threshold
is 1500 vehicles per day). The concerns ofcut-through traffic from Highway 9 are evidenced in the commutehours whenbackups occur at the University Avenue intersection: a few cars come
though to avoid the delays, but no significant "cut-through" is present. Future plans to upgrade the Highway 9/University Avenue intersection (including the addition of a right-tum lane)
will further reduce cut-throughs, as traffic flow on Highway 9 improves. The Highway 9/University intersection may be proposed for improvements as early as 2006 in the Capital Improvement
Program, utilizing a combination of Utility Undergrounding, Traffic Mitigation and the unused portion ofthe developer's contribution
PAGE 6 SUBJECT: ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR WRAIGHT-WOODLAND AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING OCTOBER 11, 2004 of $50,000 for this project. In summary, traffic
conditions in the Wraight-Woodland Area are considered very reasonable for these neighborhood streets: the speeds on Wraight Avenue are now below 30MPH -consistent with the other streets
in this neighborhood with or without the northbound restrictions. Traffic speeds and volumes are expected to remain reasonable after the occupation of 484 Woodland (not to exceed 1500
vehicles per day and 85th% speeds not to exceed 30MPH). As the neighborhood has voted in support ofrestricting northbound traffic and the Town's Traffic Calming Policy has been applied
to this project, staffs only concern is to ensure driving safety in the area is not jeopardized. As noted previously, the northbound driving restrictions were not completely observed
during the Option One test phase. Traffic safety may be at risk once an increase in southbound traffic at the "triangle" occurs due to habitation of 484 Woodland. Therefore, staff recommend
implementing the twophased approach to ensure neighborhood traffic safety is met for all residents ofthis area while also meeting the requirements ofthe Town's Traffic Calming Policy.
CONCLUSION: Mitigating traffic in this neighborhood requires evaluating development, safety, emergencyresponse and quality oflife considerations. As the neighborhood is in a transition,
staff considers the current proposal as the most prudent under the neighborhood's circumstances. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action
is required. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff estimates this project's traffic calming costs not to exceed $26,000 and is funded in project 400-0208 Traffic Calming, per the approved FY2004/05 Capital
Improvement Program as demonstrated below: FY2003/04 FY2003-04 Fiscal Year Actual FY2003-04 Traffic Calming 400-0208 Adjusted Emended/Encumbered: Available Budl:!;et Or Planned To Date
Balance IFY2003/04 AdoptedBudget 1 $ 150,000 I $ 98,266 I $ 51,734 ! ot ra c nnng -FY2004/05 FY2004/05 Carry-Forward 51,734 26 Proposed Traffic Calming Expenses 26,000 ITotal Traffic
Calming 400-0208 1$ 51,734 I $ 26,026 $ 25,708 IT al T ffi Cal' 400 0208 I
PAGE? SUBJECT: ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR WRAIGHT-WOODLAND AREA PERMANENT TRAFFIC CALMING OCTOBER 11, 2004 Attachments: 1. Map of Proposed Option One Phase
One and Two Installation 2. Notice, "Wraight-Woodland Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Update, August 27,2004 Distribution: Bruce Cabral, 491 Woodland Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95032 Dominick
Deranier, 499 Wraight Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95032 Brian Kulman, 497 Bird Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95032 GeoffLamb, 58 Chester St, Los Gatos CA 95032 Michael LoMonaco, 470 Wraight Avenue, Los
Gatos, CA 95032 Bill & Kim Lennan, 484 Wraight Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95032 John & Ruthanne Dick, 490 Wraight Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032 M. Bechler, 5326 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95118
(re:484 Woodland) J. Byers, 3575 S. Bascom Ave. #1, Campbell, CA 95008 (re: 484 Woodland) B. Krauss, P.O.Box 33186, Los Gatos, CA 95031 (re:484 Woodland) D. Ousley, 17005 Roberts Rd
#2, Los Gatos CA 95032 (re:484 Woodland) Pitroff & Kauffman, 18 Forrest Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030 (re:484 Woodland) J. Major, B. Swenson Builders, 777 N. 1st Street, 5th Fl, San Jose
CA 95112 (re:484 Woodland)
PHASE 1: OJ Install permanent concrete island with permanent signage. [£I Install rubber curb with river rock infill and permanent signage.
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Parks and Public Works Department 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030 August 27,2004 Re: Wraight-Woodland Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Update Dear Resident, You and residents of
your neighborhood were recently sent a ballot to detenlline if you prefelTed either of the two temporary traffic cahlling options recently installed. These temporary devices were installed
after your neighborhood proposal was approved by Town Council. Neighborhood Traffic Calming BackgrOlmd: Your neighborhood qualified for h'affic cahning due to northbOlmd speeds on Wraight
Avenue in excess of30MPH; the 85th percentile speeds were 31MPH. The Town's Traffic Calming Policy qualifies streets or neighborhoods whose 85th percentile speeds exceed 30MPH for a
traffic calming. review. All other streets speeds were under 30MPH in your neighboi-hood. Additionally, although there are some vehicles that pass though the neighborhood, traffic data
indicated there was no significant "cut-tln'ough" traffic. The vehicle volumes were low, well under 1500 vehicles per day (the qualifying volmue for traffic calming). The speeds on Wraight
Avenue qualified yom neighborhood (Chester, Bird, Woodland and Wraight) for a traffic calming review. The Temporary Traffic Calming Options: After several neighborhood meetings and Town
COlU1cil approval, two temporaTy h"affic cahning options were tobe tested. Both options were to include a large center median island at the Highway 9-Woodland-Wraight "tiangle" intersection.
Option One restricted northbolmd traffic from Highway 9 on both Wraight and Woodland, and Option Two allowed northbound traffic while keeping the curb bulb-outs at the southem ends ofWraight
and Woodland, and added curb bulb-outs along Wraight. Traffic data was collected after each test period. In both instances, traffic speeds were reduced under 30MPH. During Option One,
violations ofthe nOlihbolmd restrictions occulTed at all times tlrroughout the day, and eastbound traffic increased on Chester 31.. The Neighborhood Vote Outcome: Seventy-one (71) ballots
were sent to residents of your neighborhood, ofwhich fifty (50) were retu1l.1ed, a seventy-one (71 %) percent retmn rate, (a very good voter turn-out). The Town's Traffic Calming Policy
requires a sixty-seven (67%) percent support vote for the proposal to move fOlward to the next step. Option One passed with eighty-four (84%) percent suppoli. ATTACHMENT 2
The percentage of votes cast in favor of each option is as follows: Options: Option One Option Two Votes: 84% 12% Neither Option 4% Analyzing the voting by street fmiher breaks down
the vote pattems. This indicates the street with the highest impact (Chester, due to increased volumes) had less suppOli for Option One, whereas other streets had higher suppOli due
to less impacts: Street Option One Option Two Neither Option Bird 100% -0--0-Chester 78% 22% -0-Wraight 88% 6% 6% Woodland 80% 10% 10% Next Steps: The next step in the neighborhood traffic
calming review process is to present the outcome ofthe neighborhood vote with staff recommendations to Town Council for consideration, tentatively scheduled for October 18, 2004 at 7PM
in the Town Council Chambers, 110 East Main Street (pending final Council Agenda scheduling). The staff repOli will include the following: • Outcome of the neighborhood vote • Staffrecommendation
to install Option One devices in Two-Phased Approach to avoid unintended consequences due to pending futme habitation at 440 Woodland Avenue -as seventy-seven (77) new homes and their
vehicles could have safety issues at the. "triangle" with vehicles entering and exiting Highway 9; Best to be prudent given these unknowns. Phase One-install center median at Highway
9 "triangle" Phase Two-Monitor traffic & determine if any mIintended safety issues at Highway 9 triangle: A: Ifno safety issues, install pennanent bulb-outs at southem ends ofWraight
& Woodland, completing the installation for Option One proposal. B: If safety issues are present, this becomes a safety issue where staff will need to detennine the best solution for
your neighborhood. • Request appropriation for the funding for the pennanent features, as recommended by staff. I appreciate having met and discussed the myriad concems of your neighborhood.
As yom neighborhood is in a transition stage with the new Woodland Park homes nearing completion, I hope you can understand how important it is for staffto try to balance meeting your
needs in a prudent, safe and practical maImer. That is why staff will recommend a two-phased approach, as safety is always a priority in providing all services to the commU11ity. If
you have any questions, comments or concems, please contact me directly at (408) 399-5774. Sincerely, . J E. Curtis, '. ctor, Parks and Public Works Cc: Town Council Debra 1.
Figone, Town Manager Scott Seaman, Chief of Police Bud Lortz, Director, Community Development