7 - Bella Vista Temporary Installation of Traffic Calming Devicestow" nF MEETING DATE: 12/19/11
ITEM NO:
!p SA COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2011
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: BELLA VISTA TEMPORARY INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING
DEVICES
ACCEPT REPORT ON THE TEMPORARY INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES FOR THE BELLA VISTA AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD
RECOMMENDATION
Accept report on the temporary installation of traffic calming devices for the Bella Vista
neighborhood.
BACKGROUND
Residents of the Bella Vista Avenue neighborhood submitted a petition in 2008 to be considered
for participation in the Town's Traffic Calming Project. Staff reviewed the petition, then
collected speed and traffic count data to determine if this street qualified for the traffic calming
program. According to the Traffic Cahning policy, the 85` percentile speeds of vehicles
traveling through the neighborhood must exceed the posted speed limit by 5 MPH, or the average
daily traffic volume must exceed 1500 vehicles per day. Based on the data collected, the Bella
Vista Avenue neighborhood qualified for the traffic calming program because of vehicle speeds.
This project request was placed on a waiting list while other traffic calming projects were being
processed and/or completed.
Staff hosted neighborhood meetings on October 5 and 25` 2011, per the Town's Traffic
Calming policy. Residents were notified of these meetings via US mail. The purpose of the first
meeting was to explain the Town's Traffic Calming policy process, and to engage residents in a
discussion about possible traffic calming options. Staff presented data regarding traffic speeds
and volume. Representatives from the Los Gatos -Monte Sereno Police Department and Los
PREPARED BY : TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Jf�LAssistant Town Manager (Q�4 Town Attorney Finance
N:\ PPRM4ANAGEMEN IACOUNCIL \COUNCILREPORT5\2011 Repom\Decemher 19\ TmMcCalmingDevices. Bel]aVamAve.ComcURcpon12191I.dw
PAGE 2
DECEMBER 6, 2011
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: BELLA VISTA AVENUE TEMPORARY INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES
BACKGROUND (cont.)
Gatos High School were present at this meeting to listen to neighborhood concerns and to
provide feedback on the impact of the traffic calming devices on the neighborhood's streets.
Residents discussed various traffic issues and potential traffic calming options at this meeting.
Reducing vehicle speeds and cut through traffic were the highest priority for those in attendance.
At the second meeting, residents and staff discussed potential traffic calming solutions to
mitigate these issues. The Los Gatos -Monte Sereno Police Department along with the Santa
Clara County Fire Department, and member of the Town's Transportation and Parking
Commission were present at this meeting. Options discussed included installation of speed
humps on Bella Vista Avenue, one -way streets, turn restrictions, and the closing of New York
Avenue at Simons Way.
DISCUSSION
At the second neighborhood meeting held on October 25' the consensus of the majority of
residents in attendance was to recommend the installation of four speed humps along Bella Vista
Avenue between Simons Way and Caldwell Avenue. Staff also recommended the installation of
a stop sign at the intersection of Charles Street and Bella Vista Avenue to complete the 3 -way
stop.
A neighborhood vote was conducted in November to see if residents favored this traffic calming
proposal. Ballots were mailed out to 98 residents of Bella Vista Avenue, as well as to residents
on Bella Vista Court, of which staff received 45 responses. The vote breakdown for this traffic
calming proposal was as follows:
Approve of proposal 87%
Against proposal 13%
Upon Council acceptance of this report, staff will schedule the installation of the temporary
devices on Bella Vista Avenue during spring 2012. Four to six months after installation, staff
will conduct another traffic study on Bella Vista Avenue to determine the effectiveness of these
devices. Staff will then contact the same residents to inform them of the new data collected, and
ask for their vote to approve making these devices permanent.
The findings of this report were also presented to the Town's Transportation and Parking
Commission on December 8, 2011, and the Commission recommends Town Council to accept
the report.
PAGE
DECEMBER 6, 2011
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: BELLA VISTA AVENUE TEMPORARY INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends the Town Council accept the report on the temporary installation of traffic
calming devices for the Bella Vista Avenue neighborhood.
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
Funding for this traffic calming project has been allocated through the adopted FY 2011/12 —
2015/16 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
Attachments:
1. Bella Vista Avenue Temporary Traffic Calming Proposal
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Attachment 1
BELLA VISTA TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL
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