Staff ReportPREPARED BY : MATT FRISBY
CHIEF OF POLICE
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
C:\Users \slombardo \Downloads \Whitney.PDFINAL_final.docx
MEETING DATE: 10 /18 /16
ITEM NO : 8
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 18 , 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI , TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENT A SIX MONTH PILOT PREFERENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM IN
THE WHITNEY AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO
STAFF ON ADDITIONAL PERMIT PARKING REQUESTS.
RECOMMENDATION :
Staff recommends that the Town Council implement a six month pilot preferential parking program in
the Whitney Avenue neighborhood and provide direction to staff on additional permit parking requests.
BACKGROUND :
Requests by the community to add or expand preferential parking areas were minimal or nonexistent
until 2010 when residential neighborhoods located east of Los Gatos High School began to experience
an increase in overflow parking associated with off campus student , employee , and /or customer parking
from businesses in the area.
Recognizing there was no procedure in place for processing inquir i es, staff created the Neighborhood
Parking Plan Process for managing modified parking requests (Attachment 1). Si nce approval, the
procedure has been utilized to process three preferential parking petitions : Johnson Avenue and Cross
Way in 2012, Alpine Avenue in 2015, and Whitney Avenue in 2016.
Over the last few yea rs , residents living in the area of the high s chool have bee n impacted by an increase
in off campus student parking, resulting in a reduction of available parking to residents and their guests.
Staff has received complaints and requests from residents asking for these issues to be examined for the
id entification of potential solutions .
In August of 2015 , Alpine Avenue, Whitney Avenue and Laurel Mew s n eighborhoods submitted
petitions for residential preferential parking . The Alpine Avenue and Whitney Avenue residents
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENT A SIX MONTH PILOT PREFERENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM IN
THE WHITNEY AVENUE
OCTOBER 18 , 2016
BACKGROUND (Cont’d):
claimed that p arking modifications established on Cross Way and Johnson Avenue had increased high
school student parking on their streets. T he Alpine Avenue petition was received and processed first.
In March 2016 , the Town C ouncil approved a six month pilot preferential parking program for the
Alpine Avenue n eighborhood (April through December 2016), suggesting future petitions for
preferential parking should be considered ho listically to reduce unintended parking compaction possibly
caused by preferential parking modifications. This agenda item considers the Whitney Avenue re quest
and includes analysis on potential next steps for a more comprehensive approach to future parking
requests .
DISCUSSION :
Petition
On August 26, 2015, the Whitney Avenue n eighbo rhood submitted a petition for consideration of a
preferential parking program. The original petition was incomplete and staff asked for the required
information. In May of 2016, staff began to gather data and process the parking petition submitted by
t he Whitney Avenue neighborhood. In July 2016 , staff received a n amended Whitney Avenue petition
s igned by 25 of the 30 residents , exceeding the signature requirement and including the required detail .
Petitioners stated they were experiencing impacted parking for residents and household employees from
blocked driveways, impacted visibility, double parking, speeding , and decreased property values due to
parking conditions.
Petitioners provided a defined parking modif ication area on Whitney Avenue from L oma Alta to
Wheeler Avenue, with modified parking times of 90 minute parking without permit between the hours
of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, September 1 through May 31, excluding holidays.
The petition was reviewed by staff and schedule d for review by the Transportation and Parking
Commission.
On August 10 , 2016, the Transportation and Parking Commission met and discussed the proposed
parking modifications . Commissioners agreed that staff should continue moving forward w ith the
Whitn ey Avenue petition and agreed to support staff’s recommendation to have a pilot program similar
to Alpine Avenue, explore making preferential parking a fully cost recoverable program , and continue
research into potential impacts caused by modified parking areas.
Data Collection
Staff gathered parking data during the final month of school, throughout the summer , and during the
beginning of the new school year for Whitney Avenue, Stacia Street, Wheeler Avenue, Loma Alta and
Los Gatos B ou l e v ar d. The da ta collected suggested there was a significant parking impact , specifically
i n the Whitney Avenue neighborhood during school hours . Whitney Avenue experienced a 150%
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENT A SIX MONTH PILOT PREFERENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM IN
THE WHITNEY AVENUE
OCTOBER 18 , 2016
DISCUSSION (Cont ’d ):
increase in street parking during school hours, from an average of 26 parked vehicles during non -school
hours to an average of 65 vehicles during school hours.
The Town Traffic Engineer reviewed the Whitney Avenue petition and found that previous traffic
visibility concerns had been addressed with red cur bs . T raffic volumes and speeds were typical of other
similar residential t r affic. T here was one reported accident on Whitney Avenue in 2015.
Informational Neighborhood Meeting and Recommendation
On September 7, 2016, staff convened a neighborhood meeting pur suant to the Neighborhood Parking
Process. Twenty -two of the thirty a ffected households on Whitney Avenue attended the meeting.
During this meeting staff and community members discussed the details of the data collected and
proposed modifications to the suggested parking changes to Whitney Avenue.
All present a ffected households were in favor of the proposed parking modifications meeting the
required 67% consensus to move forward in the process. As a result, the residents voted to accept a
pilot progra m with regulations consistent with other preferential parking programs in the area and to
have parking be restricted to 90 minutes without permit, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday,
September 1 through May 31, excluding holidays. The boundaries of the zone were agreed to include
both the east and west sides of Whitney Avenue from Loma Alta to Wheeler Avenue .
All meeting attendees were advised a staff re port would be presented to the Town Council documenting
details of the Neighborhood Parking Plan Process , including the recommendations made by participants
of the neighborhood meeting. As outlined in the Neighborhood Parking Plan and in accordance w ith
Town Code Section 15.40.080 (Establishment of Preferential Parking Zones), the Town Council has
final decision over establishing and or modifying preferential parking zones.
High School Area Residential Parking Analysis
During the Alpine Avenue petition hearing, the Town Council suggested staff attempt to consider future
petitions holisticall y in an attempt to reduce unintended parking impacts created by new modified or
preferential parking areas.
Based on this request, Police and Parks and Public Works staff reviewed parking restrictions in the area
around Los Gatos High School. The review entailed identifying locations where existing parking
restrictions are in place with the goal of identifying where parking demand from the High School may
lead to parking in neighborhoods, potentially resulting in parking compaction and /or additional requ ests
for preferential parking.
To begin the analysis, a review of current parking options and walking distances played a critical
role. Town staff has noted reluctance from High School students to utilize the available parking spaces
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENT A SIX MONTH PILOT PREFERENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM IN
THE WHITNEY AVENUE
OCTOBER 18 , 2016
DISCUSSION (Cont ’d ):
surrounding Balzer F ield. The walking distance from Balzer Field to the High School is just over a half
mile. At a comfortable walking pace, this is approximately a ten minute walk, a distance tha t is
acceptable for walking programs such as Safe Routes to School.
In reviewing alternative parking opportunities in neighborhoods surrounding the High School, it is
apparent that students will opt for closer parking along streets adjacent to Los Gatos Boulevard. These
streets provide easy access within half mile radius of the High S chool.
In conducting the analysis, staff also considered utilizing a simple radius method, emanating from the
High School at a half mile and one mile distances. This method did not provide the same level of
detailed analysis and failed to account for topographic and roadway barriers. For these reasons, this
method was not utilized. As the preferred option, the distance from Balzer Field was mea sured (see
pathway on Attachment 3 ) and the equivalent distance utilized on identified walking paths from two
entry locations at the High School. Walking paths from the High School are also identified on the map
in purple. These walking paths identify th e following streets as potentially impacted : Loma Alta
Avenue, Stacia Street, Stacia Court, Whitney Avenue, Charles Street, Wheeler Avenue, Los Gatos
Boulevard , and portions of Bella Vista and Johnson Avenues.
In addition, c hanges to drop off and pick up areas in the front of the High School, increased usage of the
High School bicycle cage, and reported increased number of teens at the L ibrary may indicate fewer
vehicles requiring parking accommodation. The potential for Balzer Field to accommodate addit ional
demand provides a reasonable alternative as walking distances to the east of the High School are
extended. In other words, by extending the preferential parking areas outside of the ten minute walk
range, Balzer Field becomes the closer alternati ve. Some work towards educating students of this option
may be required.
T he number of potential ly impacted streets appears to be fairly few in quantity (Loma Alta Avenue,
Stacia Street, Stacia Court, Whitney Avenue, Charles Street, Wheeler Avenue, and Los Gatos
Boulevard , a nd po rtions of Bella Vista and Johnson Avenue s ) and with the observed change in student
behavior associated to parking needs, a blanket type approach to parking restrictions may not be
necessary. Included in the Whitney Avenue pilot, notification of the pilot and its modifications w ould
be distributed to potentially impacted areas as described in the attached parking map informing residents
with direction for providing feedback related to pilot modifications.
If the feedback identif ies impacts on these streets, then designing an area -wide approach m ight need to
be considered during a Council Priority Setting discussion in early 2017 because of the budget resources
required for its implementation. An area -wide approach would necessit ate the determination of
individual street modifications/specifications based on data collection, communication with the
residents, neighborhood meetings, and decision by Council. Budget resources would be needed for a
third party manage r to implement the program under the overall supervision of the Parks and Public
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENT A SIX MONTH PILOT PREFERENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM IN
THE WHITNEY AVENUE
OCTOBER 18 , 2016
DISCUSSION (Cont ’d ):
Works D epartment. Staff would also need to examine the parking enforcement resources needed for an
area -wide implementation.
Pending Preferential Parking Applications
Staff has received two written requests for preferential parking outside the High School area :
Cherrystone Drive and the Laurel Mews Homeowners A ssociation. Both require additional information
before staff begins collecting data. Upon initial investigation, Cherrystone is not experiencing issues
requiring parking modifications. Laurel Mews households are experiencing quality of life impacts
which may benefit from restricted parking consistent with the Almond Grove area. Staff has the
capa c ity to process the Laurel Mews petit ion ; however , additional staff resources will be required to
manage the increased parking enforcement work load if parking restrictions are implemented one or
more of these areas .
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS :
T he Whitney Avenue neighborhood is experiencing parking compaction issues caused by increased
H igh S chool student parking and recom mends a pilot preferential parking program be approved with the
understanding that its formation will likely create parking issues in surrounding areas. Despit e the
increased work load specific to parking enforcement and administrative responsibilities, staff believes
the Police Department has the current capacity to manage the additional parking restrictions as
suggested for the Whitney Avenue neighborhood. St aff will inform the Whitney Avenue neighborhood
of the Council’s decision regarding the proposed petition.
It should also be noted that the original intent and or design of the parking program was to be financially
self -supporting as a result of additiona l enforcement revenues and permit fees collected from
participating residents. The costs associated with the management, implementation and enforcement of
the last three preferential parking zone petition s have not been full cost recovery. As a result, s taff will
be examining potential fee increases for Council consideration in the budgetary process for Fiscal Year
2017/18. Until the program is cost recovery, staff will not be accepting any new petitions for
preferential parking zones.
ALTERNATIVES:
With respect to the Whitney Avenue petition, the Council may approve staff’s recommendation to
implement a six month pilot or :
Deny the Whitney Avenue petition , or
Modify the Whitney Avenue preferential parking program.
PAGE 6
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENT A SIX MONTH PILOT PREFERENTIAL PARKING PROGRAM IN
THE WHITNEY AVENUE
OCTOBER 18 , 2016
COORDINATION:
This report has been coordinated with the Town Manager’s O ffice and Parks and Public Works
Department.
FISCAL IMPACT :
Police estimate minimally 150 hours of P olice staff time were utilized to fac ilitate this petition process
in performing parking count s, replying to emails, creating informational letters, attending
interdepartment al meetings, processing data, creating maps/doc ument s , and meeting with peti ti oners.
The Parks and Public Works D epartment estimate the Whitney preferential parking program wi ll require
the installation of 12 to 15 parking signs at a cost of approximately $100 each.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT :
This i s not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Neighborhood Parking Plan Process
2. Whitney Neighborhood Petition
3. Map “Parking Around Los Gatos High School”
Neighborhood Parking Plan
Process
Requests for consideration of neighborhood parking plans must be submitted via a
written petition to the Town. Upon acceptance of a petition, initial data may be gathered
to establish a better understanding of the reported issues. A determination will be made if
there are safety issues requiring immediate attention. If no immediate safety issues are
present, Town staff may request a future meeting with the petitioning neighbo rhood to
discuss the gathered data and possible parking modifications. Proposed changes require
agreement from 67% of the affected residential households prior to being considered by
staff as a possible parking modification. Non preferential parking modifi cations may not
require council approval for final implementation, while any neighborhood preferred
parking modification will require council approval prior to final implementation. Any
approved parking modifications will be placed on a project list sequentially in an existing
series of projects. Projects may be re -prioritized by the Police Chief or Department of
Public Works Director.
Process
1. Petition
A Neighborhood Petition is required to begin the parking plan process. The petition must
include signatures of at least 50% of the affected residential households. Staff retains the
right to define the affected areas. The petition will need to state what specific problems
exist, at what time the problems occur, on what days of the week the problems are most
significant and suggested potential modifications. Petitions will be reviewed, prioritized
and placed on a list. The petition will be discussed with the Transportation and Parking
Commissi on at a scheduled meeting.
2. Data collection
Town staff will collect data to evaluate the request. Items that will be considered during
data collection are parking compaction, hours of impact, availability for residential off -
street parking, engineering issues such as roadway narrowness, design of the street and
general safety issues. Contributing causes to the parking conditions that will be
considered are the proximity to a business district, school, or a church and the likel ihood
that parking controls will negatively affect an adjoining area.
3. Informational Neighborhood Meeting:
If staff determines that there are issues that justify consideration, they will schedule a
neighborhood meeting. The neighborhood meeting will be a n information and feedback
session. Staff will present the data gathered by the Town and establish the boundaries to
define the neighborhood. The neighborhood will be included in the development of
possible solutions and potential parking modific ations. Additional analysis may need to
be conducted after this initial meeting. The meeting should be attended by representatives
from the Police and Parks and Public Works Departments and may include
representatives from the Transportation and Parking Co mmission.
4. Additional Meetings and Proposed Modifications
After review of any proposed modifications, staff may convene additional neighborhood
meetings to discuss alternatives, determine neighborhood preference and public
consensus. The outcomes of the meetings will refine the development of possible
modifications. Requested modifications will need the support of 67% of the affected
residential households to be implemented. If the required neighborhood support is not
present, staff will identify concerns , report results to the neighborhood and determine the
next steps. Prior to staff approval of any parking modifications, staff shall determine if
current parking resources have the ability to implement, manage and enforce any
increased work load.
5. Implement ation of Parking Modifications
Non preferential parking modifications may not require council approval for
implementation. Neighborhood preferential parking modification will require council
approval. Parking plans may be implemented on a trial basis for a set period of time to
be evaluated and considered for permanent implementation. Projects will be placed on a
project list sequentially in an existing series of projects. Project costs may be a
determining factor in determining whether a project can be imp lemented.
Parks & Public Works
(408) 399 -5770
Police Department
(408) 354 -8600
February 2010
LEGEND:
OLIVE ZONE
RESIDENTIAL PERMIT
HIGH SCHOOL PERMIT
2 HOUR PARKING
0.5 MILE WALKING ROUTES
HIGH SCHOOL LOADING
ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM,
M-F
RED ZONE
PARKING AROUND
LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOOL