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08 Staff Report - Traffic Calming Proposal for Longridge Road~owN nF MEETING DATE: 1/18/05 ITEM NO. COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT !ps GA SKS DATE: JANUARY 5, 2005 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: APPROVE TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL FOR LONGRIDGE ROAD RECOMMENDATION: Approve traffic calming proposal for Longridge Road. BACKGROUND: In January, 2004, Town Council approved a temporary traffic calming proposal for Longridge Road. This neighborhood qualified for traffic calming due to 85th percentile vehicle speeds of 33MPH. The neighborhood proposal was to install three (3) temporary center medians along Longridge Road, to slow traffic and eliminate vehicles from cutting corners. The three temporary devices were installed in the spring of 2004 and tested for about six months. After the test period, in the fall of 2004, traffic data collected indicated 85th percentile speeds were reduced to 30MPH. Additional neighborhood polls were conducted to finalize the current traffic calming proposal. This reportwill review the development of this project's proposal and recommended next steps. DISCUSSION: This neighborhood traffic calming project officially began during 2003, when staff held three neighborhood meetings to assist the Longridge neighborhood develop a proposal to slow traffic, following the Town's Traffic Calming Policy procedures. Approximately twenty residents attended these meetings, where neighborhood traffic and pedestrian safety issues were obtained from participants, and traffic calming solution preferences were discussed. Staff presented various traffic calming devices known to reduce speeding vehicles. At the third neighborhood meeting, consensus was reached for a temporary traffic calming proposal: three center medians and three curb bulb-outs strategically placed along Longridge Road to reduce vehicle speeds. A neighborhood vote was conducted in October, 2003 to determine if there was super-majority (67%) support for any of these six (6) devices. PREPARED BY: J HN E. CURTIS irector of Parks and Public Works Reviewed by: 5> Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Clerk Administrator ~lC-~Finance Community Development Revised: 115105 1:51 pm Reformatted: 5/30/02 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORMLongridge 1-18-05.wpd PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: APPROVE TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL FOR LONGRIDGE ROAD January 5, 2005 Neighborhood Vote #1: The outcome of this first vote was only the three (3) center medians obtained and surpassed the necessary super-majority support vote with 73% or more of the returned ballots indicating support. (The devices that did not pass were the curb bulb-outs, each receiving only 60% support). The ballot return rate was forty-two percent (42%), a good representative vote for the neighborhood. A letter was sent to the neighborhood concerning the vote outcome and next steps for their traffic calming proposal. (Attachment 1). The neighborhood's traffic calming proposal was then presented and approved by Town Council in January, 2003. The temporary devices were installed several weeks later. The devices were tested for the usual period of three to six months, (excluding summer months when schools are closed and traffic volumes are lower than "normal"). After the temporary traffic calming's test period ended, new traffic data was collected in the fall of 2004. The new 85' percentile vehicle speeds were 30MPH, reduced from 33MPH. This new traffic information was shared with the neighborhood, and a second neighborhood poll was conducted in October, 2004 to determine if a super-majority support (67%) exists for any of these three (3) center medians to become permanent. (Attachment 2). Neighborhood Vote 42: The results of the second neighborhood poll indicated support for only two (2) of the three (3) center medians, ( support was obtained for the two medians located at each end of Longridge Road, at Carlton and at Lester). These two "bookend" devices obtained seventy-seven (77%) and seventy-five ( 75 percent support, respectively, (well over the 67% required). The center median located mid- block on Longridge at Potomac obtained only fifty-five (55%) percent support. This second neighborhood vote's ballot return-rate was forty-six (46%) percent, (up four (4%) percent from the first neighborhood vote). Many comments were also received, of which 14% of the returned ballots suggested trying or testing a speed hump mid-block - rather than a center median- to slow traffic below 30MPH. The speed hump comments were received from residents representing of all the streets in this traffic calming neighborhood. Staff decided it was practical to conduct an additional neighborhood poll to determine if super- majority support exists to test a speed hump in lieu of the center median mid-block, especially as there would not be a device to slow traffic mid-block. Based on the high number of residents' comments concerning a need for something to slow vehicles mid-block, staff considered it possible there could be sufficient support for a speed hump as part of their traffic calming proposal. Staff also considers a speed hump will be more effective in reducing vehicle speeds below 30MPH. (Attachment 3). Neighborhood Vote 43: The third neighborhood vote's outcome indicates seventy-six (76%) of residents who voted support testing a mid-block speed hump. Staff fully supports this added device to slow traffic. Although this third neighborhood vote had the lowest ballot return rate of all three (3) neighborhood votes- at forty (40%) percent- it is still a good representational vote for the neighborhood. PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: APPROVE TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL FOR LONGRIDGE ROAD January 5, 2005 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Proposal: The neighborhood's proposal is to install two permanent medians at each entrance to Longridge (at Carlton and at Lester) and a speed hiunp mid-block (at Potomac). If approved by Town Council, these devices will be installed within several weeks. Then, three (3) to six (6) months after the speed hump is installed, new traffic data will be collected and an additional neighborhood vote will be conducted to determine if super-majority support exists for the speed hump to become permanent. A subsequent reportwill be submitted to Council after that process is completed. The neighborhood was sent a notice in December, 2004 of the most recent neighborhood vote's outcome and the next steps for their traffic calming proposal. (Attachment 4). CONCLUSION: The results of the neighborhood vote indicate that the neighborhood traffic calming process was effective: 75% or more of the residents who cast a vote support the installation of permanent center medians at each end of Longridge Road and to test a speed hump mid-block. If approved by Council, staff will schedule installation of permanent center medians and a temporary speed hump on Longridge Road within the next several weeks, weather permitting. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to install two permanent center medians, a speed hump and related signs on Longridge Road is estimated at $11,000. Funds are available in the FY 2004/05 Approved Capital Improvement Traffic Calming Program, 400-0208 as demonstrated below: FY2003/04 FY2003-04 Fiscal Year Actual FY2003-04 , "Traffic Calming 400-0208 Adjusted Exp ended/Encumbered Available ; j Budget Or Planned To Date Balance FY2003/04 Adopted Budget $ 150,000 $ 98,266 $ 51,734 j Total Traffic Calming 400-0208 j ~ 1 FY2004/05 i FY2004/0 Carry Forward 51,734 '1 47 ' j ,Proposed Traffic Calming-Longridge 11,000 : jTotal Traffic Calming 400-0208 ; $ 51,734 $ 11,047 $ 40,687 PAGE 4 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: APPROVE TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL FOR LONGRIDGE ROAD January 5, 2005 Attachments: 1. Neighborhood Vote Outcome letter 11-13-03 2. Neighborhood Vote for Permanent Devices letter 10-11-03 3. Neighborhood Vote Outcome & Additional Vote letter 11-12-04 4. Neighborhood Vote Outcome letter 12-20-04 5. Map: Longridge Road Traffic Calming Plan 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: 60% 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 for three 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 Parks and Public Works Department Analyst, Mary Gillespie-Greenberg at (408) 399-5776 Sincerely, is rut, o Dire for s and Public Works Department ATTACIRVIENT 1 TOWN OF LOS GATOS PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CIVIC CENTER 110 E. MAIN STREET (408) 399-5770 P.O. Box 949 FAX (408) 354-8529 Los GATos, CA 95031 October 11, 2004 Subject: Neighborhood Vote- Permanent Traffic Calming for Longridge Road Area Dear Longridge Road Area Residents, This letter is to update you on the neighborhood traffic calming review being conducted for the Longridge Road area, which are residences on Longridge, Greendale, Hollycrest, Maricopa and Potomac Avenues. Background: Your neighborhood requested and qualified for traffic calming due to speeding on Longridge Road.Traffic data indicated the 85' percentile speeds were 32.7MPH. Vehicle speeds exceeding 30MPH qualify for the traffic calming program. Volumes are well under 1000 vehicles per day, indicatingno significant cut-through traffic. Several neighborhood meetings were held in 2003 to design a traffic calming solution, to bring the speeds to 30MPH or less. After a proposal was designed by residents with staff, a neighborhood vote was conducted (in September, 2003) to determine if resident support for or against the proposed traffic calming devices existed. Of the six (6) items originally proposed, three (3) devices- a center median at Carlton, Potomac and Lester Lane on Longridge - received over 70% neighborhood support. The Town's Traffic Calming Policy requires 67% support by the neighborhood before being presented to Town Council for final approval. The neighborhood's proposal was presented and approved by Town Council in January, 2004 for a trial period of three to six (3-6) months. The devices were installed in May,.2003. The trial is completed. Traffic Calming Trial Outcomes: Additional traffic data was collected in September, 2003. The following lists traffic data collected before and after the devices were installed: 2003: Daily Traffic: volumes: 706 vpd*; 85'"% Vehicle Speeds: 32.7MPH 2004: Daily Traffic: volumes: 614 vpd*; 85'"% Vehicle Speeds: 30.0MPH This data indicates both vehicle speeds and volumes have been reduced due to the devices. The goal was to reach 85% speeds of 30MPH or less daily, and the project's goal was obtained.(*Vehicles per day) Next Steps: The next step in the Traffic Calming process is to determine if neighborhood support, exists for any or all of these three trial devices to become permanent. If super-majority support (67%) is present for an or all of the devices, staff will prepare a report to Town Council, to request approval to fund and install permanent center median(s) at the locations that receive the super-maj ority support. If support is not obtained for any of the devices, staff will convene a neighborhood meeting to determine next steps. The neighborhood will be informed of the outcome of this vote. A `postcard vote' form is included in this letter. Feedback from each resident/property owner in the neighborhood is being requested. Only one ballot is allowed per residence/address. Please complete the ballot form and return it to this department by October 29'". If you have any need for additional information, please contact our department's Administrative Analyst, Mary Gillespie-Greenberg at 3 99-5776. Sincerely, Jo E. Curtis Dir ctor nclosures INCORPORATED AUGUST 10, 1887 ATTACHMENT 2 LONGRIDGE AVENUE AREA NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL BALLOT October, 2004 Your Name (Print): Your address (Print) PLEASE VOTE ONEITHER #1 OR #2: circle your response #1: I am in favor of installing all of the devices (center medians) Three (3) locations along Longridge Avenue, as indicated in the concept drawing. YES NO OR #2: I am only in favor of the following devices: A) Center median at Longridge and Carlton YES NO B) Center Median at Potomac YES NO C) Center Median at Longridge and Lester Lane YES NO Additional Comments: Return this ballot by 4PM Friday Oct. 29, 2004 to: Parks & Public Works Department, 41 Miles Avenue, Los; Gatos CA 95030, Attn: MGG NOTE: Ballots postmarked October 29h, 2004 will be accep ted. Thank you for participating in this public process. 0 +Z II Z Q J n U Z_ J Q U U L~ L~ Q ry Z W Z Q ry W n Q O r W U ry U Z O J ui a? 0 0 0 t c ~ o 0 L CL Q E (n U W C N Q Z N w LL J I Parks and Public Works Department 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030 November 12, 2004 Re: Longridge Road Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Update: Neighborhood Vote Outcome & Next Steps Dear Resident, You and residents of your neighborhood (Longridge, Maricopa, Potomac, Greendale and Hollycrest) were recently sent a ballot to determine if there is 67% or more support for the temporary traffic calming devices -three center medians located at Carlton, Potomac and Lester along Longridge- to become permanent, cement devices. This letter is to provide information and next steps on this project. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Background: Your neighborhood qualified for traffic calming due to speeds on Longridge Road in excess of 30MPH; the 85th percentile speeds were 32.5MPH. (The Town's Traffic Calming Policy qualifies streets or neighborhoods where 85th percentile speeds exceed 30MPH for a traffic calming review). Additionally, the vehicle volumes were low, about 600 vehicles per day (well under 1500 cars per day - the qualifying volume criteria for traffic calming). Therefore, the speeds on Longridge Road qualified your neighborhood for a traffic calming review. The Temporary Traffic Calming Options: At the neighborhood meetings held in 2003, preference for center medians- rather than speed humps- was the consensus of the participants. The proposal designed three medians, with two purposes: 1) to slow traffic entering Longridge and eliminate cutting corners, and 2) to reduce speeds mid-block with a median at Potomac. After a first neighborhood vote (September, 2003) indicated support to test these devices, Town Council approved the temporary traffic calming project in January, 2004. The three temporary medians were installed in May, 2004. Traffic data was collected in September. 2004, indicating speeds on Longridge were reduced to 30MPH. A second neighborhood vote to determine if there was support for these devices to become permanent was then conducted in October, 2004. The Neighborhood Vote Outcome: in October, 2004, ninety-five (95) ballots were sent to residents of your neighborhood, of which forty- four (44) were returned, (a forty-six (46%) percent return rate). The Town's Traffic Calming Policy requires a sixty-seven (67%) percent support vote for the proposal to move forward to the next step. ATTACHMENT 3 'Longridge Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Update ,November 12, 2004 ;Page 2 of 2 ,The percentage of votes cast in favor of each option is as follows: Devices A and C passed with 77% and 75% support, respectively, while Device B did not. Options: Device A : Center Median at Device B: Center Device C: Center Longridge at Carlton Median at Long- Median on Long- ridge and Potomac ridge at Lester Votes: 77% in support 55% in support 75% in support We also received many comments, of which 14% of the neighborhood ballots suggested trying speed humps mid-block to slow traffic. Although at the neighborhood meetings the center medians were the preferred device to slow traffic, it now seems these comments should be discussed. The current vote supports medians at either end of Longridge without a device to slow traffic mid- block. Because the center median will be removed and there will not be a device mid-block to slow traffic, staff would like to find out if residents would like to test a speed hump to slow traffic mid- block in lieu of that center median. Staff would like to conduct an additional neighborhood vote because comments from residents of Greendale, Holly-crest, Longridge and Potomac suggested a speed hump rather than a median, mid-block on Longridge. By conducting this additional poll, the neighborhood will have an opportunity to decide whether or not to test an additional mid-block device to slow traffic. The outcome of both votes will be reported to Town Council, who will consider approving a permanent traffic calming proposal for Longridge. To see samples of the type of speed hump we could install, please drive on Benedict Lane or Johnson Avenue where we recently installed speed humps, where speeds were effectively reduced below 30MPH. Next Steps: The next step in the neighborhood traffic calming review process is to obtain the neighborhood's input on whether or not to test a speed hump. The outcome of this second neighborhood vote will be reported in the permanent traffic calming proposal to Town Council, in early 2005. Ballots: Please complete the enclosed ballot and return it to our department by Friday December 3, 2004. Ballots with postmark dated December 3' will also be accepted. The outcome of this second vote will be announced by informational notices by mid-December to all residents in this area. If you have any questions please contact Mary Gillespie-Greenberg, Administrative Analyst at 399-5776. Sincerely, J E. Curtis, it ctor, Parks and Public Works Cc: Town Council LONGRIDGE AVENUE AREA NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL BALLOT CONCERNING TESTING A SPEED HUMP MID-BLOCK November, 2004 Your Name (print):_ Your Address (print): Circle your response 1. I do support testing a speed hump mid-block on Longridge: Yes No (regarding Item B on Map, next page) Circle your response 2. I do not support testing a speed hump on Longridge. Yes No Comments: Return this ballot by 4PM Friday, December 4, 2005 to: 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030 Attn: MGG Note: Ballots postmarked 12-04-04 will be accepted. Thank you for participating in this public process. ,F aYS CD r ovylqoiod 5-0- r 5~ ~ 1,!, J Y ~ H ~ • 1 41 Q x - u - IT, LL. - _ z _ GREEN PA CY)_ W 8. a) " 0 •L Q : •ti dd0012ib'W z co tal ry 3 = < LL] (a -4+ Q t3 Q U 0 J i A (r z 7~ CD 0 z (D OF t-- E ' a ~ti' g,~as c CL (D Ow L a .z w aa) -0 a 1S3~JO)MOH L CL -0 Wi~dVo ~4W N p~. R A Parks and Public Works Department 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030 December 20, 2004 ,Re: Longridge Road Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Update: Neighborhood Vote Outcome & Next Steps Dear Resident, You and residents of your neighborhood (Longridge, Maricopa, Potomac, Greendale and Hollycrest) were recently sent a ballot to determine if there is 67% or more support to test a speed hump for Longridge, east of Potomac - in addition to installing two permanent center medians at each end of Longridge Road. This letter is to provide an update and next steps on this project. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Background: Your neighborhood qualified for traffic calming due to speeds on Longridge Road in excess of 30MPH; the 85th percentile speeds were 32.5MPH. (The Town's Traffic Calming Policy qualifies streets or neighborhoods where 85th percentile speeds exceed 30MPH for a traffic calming review). Additionally, the vehicle volumes were low, about 600 vehicles per day (well under 1500 cars per day - the qualifying volume criteria for traffic calming). Therefore, the speeds on Longridge Road qualified your neighborhood for a traffic calming review. At the neighborhood meetings held in 2003, preference for center medians- rather than speed humps- was the consensus of the participants. The proposal designed three medians, with two purposes: 1) to slow traffic entering Longridge and eliminate cutting corners and 2) to reduce speeds mid-block with a median at Potomac. After a first neighborhood vote (September, 2003) indicated support to test these devices, Town Council approved the temporary traffic calming project in January, 2004. The three temporary medians were installed in May, 2004. Traffic data was collected in September. 2004, indicating speeds on Longridge were reduced to 30MPH. A second neighborhood vote to determine if there was support for these devices to become permanent was then conducted in October, 2004. Only two of the devices passed with the required 67% or more neighborhood support: center medians at both ends of Longridge. Many comments were received, including 14% of the voters suggesting a speed hump to slow traffic mid-block. Staff decided it was practical to conduct an additional vote to see if there was 67% or more neighborhood support for a speed hump for reducing speeds mid-block. Therefore, an additional vote was conducted in November, 2004. ATTACHMENT 4 Longridge Area Neighborhood Traffic Calming Update December 20, 2004 Page 2 of 2 The Neighborhood Vote Outcome: In November, 2004, a third neighborhood vote was conducted to determine if there is support for a speed hump mid-block on Longridge to slow traffic. Ninety-five (95) ballots were sent to residents of your neighborhood, of which thirty-eight (38) were returned, (a forty (40%) percent return rate). The percentage of votes cast in favor of each option is as follows: Option: In Support For Speed Hump Not in Support for Speed mid-block at Longridge and Hump mid-block at Potomac Longridge and Potomac Votes: 76% in support 24% not in support The neighborhood vote shows there is 76% support to test a speed hump on Longridge to slow traffic mid-block. The Town's Traffic Calming Policy requires 67% or more neighborhood support. Comments were also received that included concern about emergency response (fire truck) ability to manage the speed humps. All traffic calming devices must be reviewed and supported by emergency response (Fire and Police) or they are not recommended for testing. For residents who have not had a chance to view the style of speed hump to be recommended f6r installation on Longridge Road, there are ONLY two examples in Town that are of the style to be installed, which have a gentle slope to drive over: on Benedict Lane (off Chirco parallel to Los Gatos Blvd.), and Johnson Avenue (off Los Gatos Blvd, parallel to Loma Alta) where these specific types of humps are located. Next Steps: The next step in the neighborhood traffic calming review process is to report the outcome of both votes to Town Council, who will consider approving this traffic calming proposal for Longridge. The traffic calming proposal to be presented to Town Council is to install permanent medians at each end of Longridge, and to install an asphalt speed hump mid-block. If approved by Council, the devices will be installed within several months, and new traffic data will be collected three to six (3-6) months after the speed hump has been in place. Then a fourth neighborhood vote will be conducted to determine if there is neighborhood support for the speed hump to become permanent or not. Staff anticipate the Longridge Area traffic calming proposal will be presented to Town Council at the January 18, 2005 Town Council meeting. Please check the town's website (www.los atosca.gov) prior to the Council meeting ensure this report is scheduled, or contact Mary Gillespie-Greenberg, Administrative Analyst at 399-5776, for more information or for any questions concerning this project. Thank you for participating in this neighborhood process. Sincerely, ohn E. Curtis, Director, Parks and Public Works Cc: Town Council S ,LN~i~~L.LFT o Il - e a U i ! { LL- - . ~ t'ar'', s~~4 Q 4 k' 4 ~ t 0 L.L ~ }fir{ h ~J W U s _ e y teLr =z3- 3ar t t II ~ ~g1§a J" r . a ti cl A ' OdWOlOH tv t"{ r, 77B i. ~ x i W3r L 4 CDL C' IL.. ' F 0 r~ °i 'o O > a -0 0 0 i "i O 0 L a) c ~ d. 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