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Residents grudgingly accept putting stoplight near Daves Avenue School
By Gloria I. Wang
Supporters of an alternative to putting a stoplight near Daves Avenue School have reluctantly conceded defeat after a recent study proved their idea too costly and unrealistic.
Residents and the Monte Sereno City Council alike now admit that a traffic light at the intersection of Winchester Boulevard and Daves Avenue will probably increase pedestrian safety the most, although they had been firmly opposed to the light more than a month ago.
In September, the Los Gatos Town Council had voted to implement a stoplight at the intersection, based on the recommendation by a traffic engineer and against the advice of the public. Residents were frustrated that their comments were seemingly ignored and took their case to Monte Sereno, which was jointly funding the traffic study. At a Sept. 6 meeting, Monte Sereno City Council members commissioned a feasibility study of roundabouts--round islands in the middle of an intersection that force cars to drive in a counterclockwise direction and reduce their speeds.
Results of the feasibility study were presented at an Oct. 11 Monte Sereno City Council special meeting. A roundabout consultant had done the analysis at no cost to the city, producing an aerial photograph of the neighborhood.
According to the consultant, an effective roundabout would require a diameter of at least 120 feet to allow for one traffic lane, bike lane and sidewalk on each side, extra space for large vehicles and a 60-foot-wide landscaped median. The current width of the intersection, however, is 72 feet. To reach 120 feet, the city would need to acquire some of the private property that is inside the proposed diameter. City officials had agreed in September that property acquisition was out of the question.
Los Gatos resident Marc Jensen said that the consultant's conclusion was the same as his own. "We made a valiant effort," Jensen said of the neighbors' fight for roundabouts. Jensen asked the city council to proceed with a stoplight because some action was needed. Jensen also asked the city to pursue other traffic and speed-decreasing measures, such as narrowing the lanes on the relevant section of Winchester Boulevard.
"I am very proud of my Monte Sereno Council for behaving in a way ... that overshadows Los Gatos," said resident Kyle Lanza. Lanza echoed Jensen's concern that installing a stoplight would be the end of all improvements at the intersection, saying, "We have to get people driving the speed limit before we stick hardscape in."
Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent Mary Ann Park also voiced her opinion. "We're encouraging parents to carpool and children to walk or bike to school more," Park said. "I can't encourage that with the conditions as they are." Park said the traffic light was not the perfect solution, but it was the best one.
Only one speaker disagreed with the consultant's findings. "It's said that you get what you pay for," Monte Sereno resident Mark Brodsky said. Brodsky referred to a roundabout design in Palo Alto that is 72 feet in diameter. On the other hand, Brodsky said that there were other alternatives besides a roundabout and a light.
Another Monte Sereno resident, Bryan Mekechuk, mentioned the concept of having two pedestrian-activated lights north and south of the intersection. The lights would only turn on and turn red when a person pushes a button. That way, Mekechuk said, cars making a left turn out of Daves Avenue would have an easier time, and children have more opportunities to cross the street from the east side of Winchester Boulevard.
Monte Sereno Mayor Barbara Nesbet said she was "very intrigued" by Mekechuk's idea. "Let's see if we can make it safer before we put in a light that operates 24 hours," Nesbet said. The light would take between six months and one year to become operational, according to the consultant.
Councilman David Baxter appeared to be on the verge of tears as he described an incident on Blossom Hill Road that had happened earlier in the day, when he had witnessed a teenager almost get hit by a car. "It sure brought it home," Baxter said. "We need to take some action right away." Baxter proposed putting in raised islands.
"I don't think it does the city any justice to put a big, old, ugly traffic light at our city's entrance corridor," said Councilman Erin Garner. While Garner said he was personally opposed to a stoplight, he argued that the light was needed in this particular situation. "If it's a light or nothing, I'd say go with the light." Garner's reasoning was that there were no other traffic calming measures in place and that starting over with ideas would delay any implementation by several months.
Councilman Jack Lucas made a successful motion for Nesbet to write a letter to the Los Gatos Town Council, including suggestions for a raised median island, pedestrian-activated lights and increased crossing guards. Nesbet would also write about the need for further studies of the area, which would include an analysis of Winchester Boulevard up to Knowles Drive.
Garner wanted to add to the letter the clause that, if the town took longer than a few months to examine Monte Sereno's suggestions, Los Gatos should go ahead with designs for a stoplight. "I'm concerned that we will send them into analysis paralysis," Garner said.
Lucas disagreed, saying he was afraid the letter would come across as being threatening if that was included. Lucas pointed out that Los Gatos would respond to the letter, and Monte Sereno could make plans based on the response.
Baxter sided with Lucas; if the letter was urgent enough, Baxter said, no specific time frame was necessary. Nesbet could word the letter so that Los Gatos would be encouraged to move quickly.
Lucas' motion was approved 4-0; Councilwoman Suzanne Jackson was absent.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
