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06 Staff Report - Massol Neighborhood Traffic ManagementtowN of MEETING DATE: 6118/07 ITEM NO: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ~g GASO DATE: JUNE 5, 2007 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: MASSOL NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT A. APPROVE MASSOL TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL B. AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURES UP TO $9,000 IN TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM FUNDS (400-0208) FOR THIS PROJECT RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve Massol Temporary Traffic Calming Proposal. 2. Authorize expenditures up to $9,000 in Traffic Calming Program funds (400-0208) for this project. BACKGROUND: This neighborhood formally requested traffic calming in 2002 by submitting a petition from the 100 block section of Massol Avenue. It was placed on a waiting list while other projects were being processed and is the final project to be processed from that time period. The neighborhood traffic concerns were speeding vehicles and cut-through traffic. Traffic data was collected over a two-week period indicating that the 85th percentile speeds averaged 29.7 MPH and the average vehicle volumes were 1498. An additional petition was received in 2006 from residents of the 200 block section asking to have their block included in this traffic calming project. To qualify for the Town's Traffic Calming program, a neighborhood street's vehicle speeds must be over 30 MPH or average daily volumes over 1500. On many days during this study, the speeds and volumes exceeded these figures. The issue of cut-through traffic would be difficult and costly to study, as there are multiple residences and residential streets in the area. ' PREPARED BY: KEVIN ROHANI Interim Director of Parks and Public Works NAENGINEERINGTOUNCIL REPORTSWassol traffic calming report 6-18-07.doc Reviewed by: V L`~.1 Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Clerk Administrator _4c_,_,Finance Community Development PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: MASSOL NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT JUNE 5, 2007 As the vehicle volumes are near 1500 daily, and there are a sufficient number of residences on Massol (including three large multiple units) and the adjacent streets (such as Bayview and Pennsylvania Avenues), the traffic is most likely to be significantly residential-oriented, (nearby neighbors), not "cut-through." Therefore, the Town's Traffic Engineer has determined that this street should qualify as a traffic calming project based upon the speeds, as on most days the average daily speed exceeds 30 MPH. Staff, held two neighborhood meetings with residents from the 100 and 200 block of Massol Avenue in November, 2006 and January, 2007. Residents were notified of these meetings by mail and a subsequent group e-mail list was also established. About 15 residents attended each meeting, including the Cat's Hill Bicycle Race representatives who attended to provide input on any impacts to the bicycle race, which runs through the 100 block of Massol Avenue. Residents discussed the various traffic issues and the Town's Traffic Engineer provided possible solutions to address their concerns. Addressing speeding vehicles and pedestrian safety was the consensus of the attendees. (Attachments #1 & 2). To slow traffic in the 100 block section of Massol, three options were discussed: either a speed hump, a center median, or two curb bulb-outs, all mid-block. To increase pedestrian safety at the crosswalks, two options were proposed: either curb bulb-outs or small center medians at the stop signs on Massol. The meeting attendees found consensus to poll the neighborhood to test their temporary traffic calming design, consisting of a mid-block speed hump, curb bulb-outs at the Nicholson stop sign, and a small center median at the Bachman stop sign. (Attachment #3). A ballot was sent to each of the residences of the 100 and 200 block of Massol, plus homes. that border the ends of the 100 and 200 block of Massol (Massol Court, Bean, and Bachman Avenues). A total of 89 ballots were sent, of which 36 ballots were returned, creating a 40% return rate. After the results were tallied, it was determined that there were 11 residential vacancies (one home and ten apartments) which increases the return rate to 46% (78 possible ballots and 36 returned). The policy requires the proposal(s) to obtain at least 67% support from the returned ballots, which was reached. The outcome of the vote is as follows: Question A: Question B: Question C: Median at Median at Speed Hump Traffic Calming Options: Bachman Nicholson 100 Block % Vote in Favor: 81% 81% 69% DISCUSSION: The temporary traffic calming proposal has a super-majority support of the residents, as demonstrated by the petitions, attendance at meetings, and the neighborhood vote. Their interest is to slow traffic and increase the quality of life on Massol Avenue which has changed over the past decades due to increased population and traffic. PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: MASSOL NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT JUNE 5, 2007 The proposal is to install a speed hump mid-block in the 100 block of Massol, curb bulb-outs on Massol at the stop sign at Nicholson (north side), and a small center median at the stop sign on Massol at Bachman (south side). These devices are anticipated to slow traffic and increase safety for pedestrians for this neighborhood street. (Attachment #5). If this temporary proposal is approved by Council, staff will arrange to have the devices installed during the summer. New traffic data will be collected 4-6 months afterwards to determine the impact to vehicle speeds and volume Follo~~~ing the To~~,mi's Traffic Calmi~ig Poiicy, `,~J1th the new traffic data, staff will inform the residents and conduct a second neighborhood vote to determine if there is 67% support for the temporary devices to become permanent. Staff will report the future findings to Council, and may request additional funding for permanent (concrete) curb bulb-outs, if they are in the final permanent traffic calming proposal. The estimated time-frame for the follow-up report is January, 2008. CONCLUSION: Staff recommends that the Council approve the Massol neighborhood traffic calming proposal and authorize the use of Traffic Calming Program funds up to $9,000 for this project. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is a project as defined under CEQA but is Categorically Exempt (Section 15301c). A Notice of Exemption will not be filed. FISCAL IMPACT: The three temporary devices are estimated to cost a maximum of $9,000 to install. There is sufficient funding in the Traffic Calming Program to meet this expense. Any remaining balance of funds in the Traffic Calming Program (0208) will carry forward and become available for next year's traffic calming projects, including installation of vehicle speed display boards near schools. The following chart identifies the fund balance and impact by this project: MASSOL NEIGHBORHOOD TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT Budget Proposed Remaining FY 2006/07 Fiscal Impact Funding Project Balance Traffic Calming Program 400-0208 55,000 9,000 46,000 TOTALS 55,000 9,000 46,000 TOTAL EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY: Staff Labor 1,000 Materials 2,000 Construction 6,000 TOTALS 9,000 PAGE 4 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: MASSOL NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECT JUNE 5, 2007 Attachments: 1. November 2, 2006 Meeting Notice 2. January 29, 2007 Meeting Notice 3. February 8, 2007 Neighborhood Vote letter and ballot 4. March 19, 2007 Neighborhood Vote Outcome letter 5. Temporary Traffic Calming Proposal Parks & Public Works (PPW) Department Meeting Notice Informational Meeting on.ce.n- ag' Nei9rhhnr ood 'fi'r Me Calming Policy :.ar a. Areas Massol Avenue between Bean & Bachman Thursday, Novem.ber 2nd, 2006 6:OOPM - 7:OOPM Location: 118 Massol Avenue front lawn* *If rain, location will be at the .PPW Office, 41 ffi 1 es Avenue Purpose of meeting: This meeting is an informal presentation and discussion hosted by the Parks and Public Works Department. It is scheduled in response to a petition received from residents of this area requesting traffic calming to address speeding and high volumes of cars. This is the second neighborhood meeting to discuss and plan a traffic calming proposal for this area. Agenda Summary: Staff will provide information concerning the Town's Traffic Calming Policy and process, j the various traffic data collected for this area and possible devices to slow traffic. Staff from Police and Engineering will be in attendance to answer your questions. If the meeting's participant resident consensus is to pursue specific traffic calming devices, the outcome will be a subsequent neighborhood vote to determine if 67% or more residences also support the proposal; with 67% vote support, staff can then present the proposal to Council for approval. Your attendance is requested at this meeting to represent your neigborhood and street. Reminder: Rain changes location to PPW's Office, 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos (see map on back) For more information, please call Mary Gillespie-Greenberg, Department Analyst at (408) 399-5776 10/11/06 ATTACHMENT 1 41 Miles Ave Los Gatos CA 95030-6044 US Notes: _ From University Ave, drive down Miles Ave, down the hill, pass the Los Gatos Creek Trail & pass the Balzar Baseball Field. Office is 2-story white office building. Park on street 4 71f , r}~ C ~ ~ a . CS[Lar ,r 5t L Lo Gatp3q :It 12 '9 X nil Ave r ro V~ Parks & Public Works (PPW) Department Meeting Notice Informational Meeting Concerning Neighborhood 'T'raffic Calming Policy Area: Massol Avenue between Bean & Bachman Monday, January 29, 2007 6:OOPM 7:OOPM Location: Neighbrhood Center, 208 E. Main Street Purpose of meeting: This meeting is an informal presentation and discussion hosted by the Parks and Public Works Department. It is scheduled in response to a petition received from residents of this area requesting traffic calming to address speeding and high volumes of cars. This is the third neighborhood meeting to discuss and plan a traffic calming proposal for this area. Agenda Summary: Staff will provide information concerning the Town's Traffic Calming Policy and process, the various traffic data collected for this area and possible devices to slow traffic. Staff from Police and Engineering will be in attendance to answer your questions. If the meeting's participant resident consensus is to pursue specific traffic calming devices, the outcome will be a subsequent neighborhood vote to determine if 67% or more residences also support the proposal; with 67% vote support, staff can thenpresent theproposal to Council for approval. Your attendance is requested at this meeting to represent your neigborhood and street. For more information, please call Mary Gillespie-Greenberg, Department's Administrative Analyst at (408) 399-5776 1/17/07 ATTACHMENT 2 ~oW1N o Town of Los Gatos Parks & Public Works Department V-tvi jog' Los (,alos. Calitornia_ 950;0 OSl1GGfA . ti.. (40o) 399-- I February 8, 2007 To: Residents of the 100-200 block area of Massol Avenue Re: Massol Avenue Traffic Calming Project- Vote on Temporary Project Devices Dear Residents, You received this letter because your residence is located in a neighborhood traffic calming area, _ designated by the Town's Traffic Engineer. A neighborhood traffic calming project is .underway for the 100-200 block section of Massol Avenue (between Bean and Bachman Avenues). I ask that you review this letter and its attachments, then complete the enclosed neighborhood vote sheet and return it to our office within four (4) weeks, by Friday March 9, 2007. In summary, 50% of the residents on this section of street signed petitions requesting traffic calming for the 100 and 200 block of Massol Avenue due to vehicle speeds and volumes. Three neighborhood meetings have been held and a trial traffic calming proposal has been drafted by residents with the Traffic Engineer's recommendations. I am requesting your participation to vote if you support the proposed devices or not. (Please note that there is no cost to residents or property owners-this proposal is funded completely by the Town's general funds.) If 67% of the returned votes indicate there is neighborhood support, staff will notify the neighborhood of this outcome and next steps, which would be to present the trial traffic calming proposal to the Town Council to receive their approval to proceed with this project. However, if 67% support does not exist, the measures will not be implemented and staff will determine if additional meetings are needed. For more details on this project, please review the information on the back of this letter. Please complete the attached "ballot" sheet. Only one vote per residential unit is allowed. (Each single family home and apartment on the 100-200 block of Massol, including Massol Court and 300 block of Bean Avenue, are included in this vote.) Please contact Mary Gillespie- Greenberg, Administrative Analyst at 399-5776 or marygg(&,losgatosca.gov if you have any questions. The outcome of this vote will be sent to the neighborhood by the end of March, 2007. Please complete and return the enclosed ballot to this department by Friday, March 9, 2007. Thank you for participating in this neighborhood initiative. Sincerely, Kevin Rohani, P.E. Interim Director KR/mgg cc: Town Council Debra Figone, Town Manager Jessy Pu, Town Traffic Engineer ATTACHMENT 3 enclosure Town of Los Gatos 100-200 ]Block of Massol Avenue Neighborhood Traffic Calming Details Back-round: Two petitions requesting traffic calming have been received, one each from residents of the 100 and 200 block of Massol Avenue. Over 50% of residents representing this area signed these petitions. Staff has held three neighborhood meetings, the most recent was held on January 29th. The Town's Traffic Calming Policy qualifies a neighborhood street for this program if 85th percentile speeds average 30MPH or more, or daily vehicle volumes average 1,500 vehicles or more. Traffic data was collected and shows this section of Massol Ave. averages 1,491 vehicles per day with 85th percentile vehicle speeds of 29.3 MPH. Although the data is just below the qualifying criteria, on a daily basis traffic volumes and speeds do qualify. As :such, staff are moving forward to address these two issues to slow traffic by helping the neighborhood choose known physical devices on or alongside the street that will slow traffic and increase the quality of life in your neighborhood. The outcome of the neighborhood meeting held January 29th was to poll the neighborhood to determine if 67% or more of the residences support the installation of three temporary devices to determine if they effectively reduce vehicle speeds and volumes, while allowing traffic to move at the speed limit. These devices are known to. slow traffic and are the recommendation of the Town's Traffic Engineer. If 67% or more of the residences support the trial traffic calming devices, staff will then submit a report to Council, requesting authorization to proceed and fund the devices. There is no cost to the residents or property owners, traffic calming devices are frilly funded by the Town of Los Gatos after approval by Town Council. The time frame of this project is at least one year, estimated as follows: • Neighborhood Voting Period - Feb. 9th through March 9th; • Notification to neighborhood of Outcome of Vote by end of March, either 1 or 2: 1. then, assuming 67% support received: report to Council by end of April requesting approval of installation of devices; installation of trial devices at end of May (after Cat's Hill bicycle race); collect new traffic data end of October; Second Neighborhood Vote to determine if 67% support exists for installation of permanent devices, November; Notification of Outcome of 2'ld vote early December; and again, assuming 67% support exists, report to Council requesting approval and funding permanent devices, Jan. 2008. 2. Note: If 67% support not received in Feb-March 2007 neighborhood vote, the trial project does not go forward. Staff would determine if a follow-up neighborhood meeting is needed. Parks & Public Works Dept. 2/8/07 100-200 BLOCK MASSOL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD TRIAL TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL NEIGHBORHOOD VOTE See attached map for device locations. ONE VOTE PER RESIDENCE Print Your Name: Print Your Street Address: . Los Gatos CA DEVICE A Median at Bachman/Massol Stop Sign fill in box indicating your vote I support installing this device ...YES Or I do not support this device NO DEVICE B Curb Bulb-Outs at Nicholson/Massol Stop Sign fill in box indicating your vote support installing this device ...YES Or I do not support this device NO DEVICE C Speed Hump Mid-Block, Massol (near 125 Massol) fill in box indicating your vote I support installing this device ...YES Or I do not swDort this device NO RETURN THIS BALLOT BY MARCH 9, 2007 to the Town of Los Gatos Parks & Public Works Dept. 41 Miles Avenue, Los Gatos CA Call (408) 399-5776 for more information or questions. 9-Feb-07 MASSOL TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN February 5, 2007 Z~ n rte. C'~i• do ti5 ~ av _ • t .+w J~~~ x~ Y/ f f it ~ ~ ~ '4 ~~r Pz u~• MM p 9, ~~Mi { 9 Sr{y~ .T~ Jr S - a':'. { 5v - r.5 f 71. e i L Fri.. ! 9 ' 't- tk 4Y t t 3 kE4q 7t < _E_ qMy ~s a lw, 011. f Town of Los Gatos Parks & Public Works Department 41 Miles Avenue i Los Gatos, California, 95030 A,A (408) 399-5770 March 19, 2007 To: Residents of the 100-200 block area of Massol Avenue Re: Massol Avenue Temporary Traffic Calming Proposal- Vote Outcome Dear Residents, You received this letter because your residence is located in a neighborhood traffic calming area, designated by the Town's Traffic Engineer, and your residence recently received a neighborhood ballot requesting your input on whether or not you support a temporary traffic calming project. The Town's Traffic Calming Policy requires a minimum of 67% (a super-majority) support in order for the proposal to be presented to Council for authorization. (This way the Council is able to see that a large percentage of the residents within the neighborhood, rather than a few individuals, support the proposal). The neighborhood vote conducted this past month asked residents to indicate whether or not they support a trial traffic calming proposal developed by the neighborhood. The neighborhood ballot return rate was 40%, and all areas of the neighborhood sent in ballots. All three devices received sufficient support, as follows: Device A (center median on Massol (200 block) at Bachman) 81% support Device B (center median on Massol (200 block) at Nicholson) 81% support Device C (speed hiump on Massol, mid-block in 100 block) 69% support The next step is for staff to prepare and schedule a report to Council. We anticipate that to be in late April or early May. We will notify the neighborhood when that is scheduled so that you may attend the meeting if you so desire. The background and process steps are also listed on the back of this letter. Please contact Mary Gillespie-Greenberg, Administrative Analyst at 399-5776 or marygg_Qlosgatosca. gov if you have any questions. Thank you for participating in this neighborhood initiative. Sincerel , Kevin Rohani, P.E. Interim Director M-gg cc: Town Council Debra Figone, Town Manager Jessy Pu, Town Traffic Engineer enclosure ATTACHMENT 4 Town of Los Gatos 100-200 Block of Massol Avenue Neighborhood Traffic Calming Project Summary Backa_round• Two petitions requesting traffic calming have been received, one each from residents of the 100 and 200 block of Massol Avenue. Over 50% of residents representing this area signed these petitions. Staff has held three neighborhood meetings, the most recent was held on January 29d'. The Town's Traffic Calming Policy qualifies a neighborhood street for this program if 85th percentile speeds average 301VIPH or more, or daily vehicle volumes average 1,500 vehicles or more. Traffic data was collected and shows this section of Massol Ave. averages 1,491 vehicles per day with 85th percentile vehicle speeds of 29.3 MPH. Although the data is just below the qualifying criteria, on a daily basis traffic vohunes and speeds do qualify. As such, staff are moving forward to address these two issues to slow traffic by helping the neighborhood choose known physical devices on or alongside the street that will slow traffic and increase the quality of life in your neighborhood. The outcome of the neighborhood meeting held January 29th was to poll the neighborhood to determine if 67% or more of the residences support the installation of three temporary devices to determine if they effectively reduce vehicle speeds and volumes, while allowing traffic to move at the speed limit. These devices are known to slow traffic and are the recommendation of the Town's Traffic Engineer. If 67% or more of the residences support the trial traffic calming devices, staff will then submit a report to Council, requesting authorization to proceed and fund the devices. There is no cost to the residents or property owners, traffic calming devices are fully funded by the Town of Los Gatos after approval by Town Council. The time frame of this project is at least one year, estimated as follows: • Neighborhood Voting Period Completed: Feb. 9. through March 9th; 2007 • Notification to neighborhood of Outcome of Vote by end of March: 67% support received. • Next Steps: a.. report to Council (end of April or early May) requesting approval of installation of devices; b. installation of trial devices at end of May (after Cat's Hill bicycle race); test devices for 4-6 months c. Collect new traffic data (Oct./Nov.) d Conduct Second Neighborhood Vote (Nov./Dec.) to determine if 67% support exists for installation of pennanent devices; e. Notification of Outcome of 2nd vote (Dec./Jan. 2008); f. and assuming 67% support exists for pennanent devices, report to Council requesting approval and funding permanent devices, (Jan./Feb. 2008). Parks & Public Works Dept. 2/16/07 MASSOL TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN ' c May 31 2007 O tie ti A 41- N,a +4'1~1-1 l _ d r x ~ l 1"'/S 41 t ",OB' 1 4 t J - 'v?, y +x nx S r l YV S /r f t ~A,X, / z. co /yO/ ~i t 30~` SPEED O $ HUMP / All, NZ~ "R, 15 MPH -7 1, + f9 r. - Al All its. O SPEED x..15: ~•"~Ya 'Jn i.. -'^..C Fh l~' ! :~.r.r \ ] ty MDW-r• ATTACHMENT 5