11SOWN 0 MEETING DATE: 12/17/12
ITEM NO:
41111
r0s ca��s COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2012
TO:
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM:
GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: BELLA VISTA AVENUE PERMANENT INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES
ACCEPT REPORT ON THE PERMANENT INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES FOR THE BELLA VISTA AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept report on the permanent installation of traffic calming devices for the Bella Vista Avenue
neighborhood.
BACKGROUND:
Bella Vista Avenue neighborhood residents submitted a petition in 2008, requesting staff to
consider this street for a traffic calming project. Staff reviewed the petition, then collected speed
and traffic count data to determine if this street qualified for a project. According to the Traffic
Calming policy, the 85th 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 a traffic calming project based on vehicle speeds. This project request was placed on a
waiting list while other traffic calming projects were being processed and /or completed.
On October 5th and 25th 2011, staff hosted two neighborhood meetings per the Town's Traffic
Calming policy. Residents were informed 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. Representatives from the Los Gatos -
Monte Sereno Police Department and Los Gatos High School were present at this meeting to
listen to neighborhood concerns and to provide feedback on the impact of potential traffic
calming devices on this street.. Residents discussed various traffic issues and potential traffic
calming options at this meeting. Reducing vehicle speeds and cut through traffic were the highest
priorities for those in attendance.
PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
N:\PPW\ MANAGEMENT \COUNCIL \COUNCIL REPORTS\2012 Reports \121712\Bella Vista Avenue. Traffic .Calm,Permanent.Devices.doe
PAGE 2
DECEMBER 4, 2012
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: BELLA VISTA AVENUE PERMANENT INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES
BACKGROUND (contd.):
At the second meeting, residents and staff discussed potential traffic calming solutions to
mitigate these issues. Representatives from the Los Gatos -Monte Sereno Police Department,
Santa Clara County Fire Department and the Town's Transportation and Parking Commission
were present at this meeting. 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. Town 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 the traffic calming
proposal. Ballots were sent to 98 residents on Bella Vista Avenue, as well as to residents on
Bella Vista Court, of which staff received 45 responses. The vote breakdown for this traffic
proposal was as follows:
Approve of temporary proposal 87%
Not in favor of temporary proposal 13%
At the December 19, 2011, Town Council meeting, the Council approved the traffic calming
proposal for the Bella Vista Avenue neighborhood. The proposal included the installation of the
improvements described above on a temporary basis. The improvements were installed in April
2012, with the primary purpose to reduce vehicle speeds.
DISCUSSION:
In October 2012, new traffic data was collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the devices.
Staff waited to collect traffic date until school was in session to capture more accurate vehicle
count information. The posted speed limit in this neighborhood is 20 mph. The traffic data
collected shows an improvement in slowing down vehicle speeds. The 85th percentile speed data
shows a-- reduction in southbound traffic speeds ranging from 2 -6 mph. The last step in-the-
Traffic Calming process is to inform residents of the data findings and conduct a final vote on
the devices. Staff proceeded to conduct another neighborhood vote in November 2012 to inform
residents of the new data collected and to also solicit input on the permanent installation of the
traffic devices.
A final ballot was sent to residents in November 2012, asking if residents would be in favor of
retaining the traffic calming improvements on a permanent basis. A total of 98 ballots were
mailed and 38 residents responded. The Traffic Calming policy requires 67% approval rating
from the votes returned in order to forward the proposal to Town Council for review.
PAGE 3
DECEMBER 4, 2012
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: BELLA VISTA AVENUE PERMANENT INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC
CALMING DEVICES
DISCUSSION (cont'd):
The vote breakdown for permanent installation for these devices was as follows:
Approve of permanent installation 92%
Not in favor of permanent installation 8%
Based on the ballots returned, the Bella Vista Avenue neighborhood residents support the
permanent installation of the four speed humps along Bella Vista Avenue between Simons Way
and Caldwell Avenue. Additionally, residents approved a permanent stop sign at the intersection
of Charles Street and Bella Vista Avenue. Upon Council's acceptance of this report, staff will
complete the final steps necessary to make the devices permanent.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the Town Council accept the report on the permanent 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:
No fiscal impact.
THIS RAGE
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK