Staff Reporth
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 05/19/15
ITEM NO:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MAY 8, 2015
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL ;
LES WHITE, INTERIM TOWN MANAGE
ACCEPT THE REPORT ON THE PERMANENT INSTALLATION OF
TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES FOR THE ALPINE AVENUE
NEIGHBORHOOD
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council accept the report on the permanent installation of
traffic calming devices for the Alpine Avenue neighborhood.
BACKGROUND:
Residents of the Alpine Avenue neighborhood submitted a petition for consideration of a traffic
calming project to the Town in September 2012. Staff reviewed the petition and collected speed
and traffic count data to determine if the street qualified for a project in accordance with the
Town's Traffic Calming Policy. In January 2013, Parks and Public Works staff hosted a
neighborhood meeting along with staff from the Police Department to present the data findings
and engage residents in a discussion about possible traffic calming options. Reducing vehicle
speeds on Chestnut Avenue was deemed the highest priority of the residents in attendance.
The neighborhood voted on and approved a proposed solution that included the installation of
three speed humps along Alpine Avenue. On May 5, 2014 the Town Council approved the
temporary measures.
Staff gathered traffic data to assess the effectiveness of these temporary traffic calming devices
approximately six months after installation. The posted speed limit in this neighborhood is 25
miles per hour. The traffic data collected demonstrated a reduction in vehicle speeds as a result
of the installation of temporary traffic calming devices, bringing vehicle speeds in this
neighborhood to acceptable levels.
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
. Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: '- K l Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
N:APPWVCOUNCILVCOUNCIL REPORTS\2015 ReportsV051915VAlpine Avenue Neighborhood traffic calming permanent installation.docx
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Alpine Avenue Traffic Calming
May 8, 2015
DISCUSSION:
In June 2014, in further alignment with the Town's Traffic Calming Policy, Town staff mailed
ballots to the residents of the Chestnut Avenue neighborhood to solicit a vote on changing the
project status from temporary to permanent. A total of 15 ballots were mailed and I1 residents
responded. The Traffic Calming Policy requires 67% approval rating from the votes returned in
order to forward the proposal to the Town Council for review.
The vote breakdown for permanent installation for these devices was as follows:
Approve ofpernianent installation 91%
Not in favor of permanent installation 9%
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatively, the Town Council could direct staff to:
A. Remove the improvements.
B. Extend the evaluation period by a defined timeframe.
Staff does not recommend either of these alternatives as the response from the
neighborhood demonstrates the desirability of the improvements.
COORDINATION:
This project has been coordinated with the Alpine Avenue neighborhood as outlined in
this memorandum and with the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the Town Council accept the report on the permanent installation of traffic
calming devices for the Alpine 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:
The improvements have been installed and there is no additional cost for this project.