Attachment 2
Summary of Community Comments Received at the September 22, 2022 Community Meeting:
- Community members emphasized hazardous traffic conditions and speeds on Blossom Hill Road and past traffic incidents including a pedestrian fatality. - Desires to see more permanent traffic safety improvements along Blossom Hill Road. - Concerns of cut-through traffic on side local streets due to lane reduction on Blossom Hill Road.
- Concerns about how effective quick-build solutions such as green bollards and buffered bike lanes would be for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
- Desires to see more permanent solutions to protect pedestrians, especially at corners of the signalized intersection.
- More safeguard measures around the signalized intersection. - Traffic safety improvements along the corridor is long overdue. - With single travel lane each direction, longer queueing may increase bad and rash behaviors from drivers.
- Continue working with the Safe Routes to School program closely on the project. - Add concrete pillars or other protective measures at the Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane intersection for pedestrian protection.
- Eastbound Blossom Hill Road backs up at the signalized intersection during school dropoff and pickup times due to vehicles trying to enter the school. How to keep the signalized intersection clear when people are queuing to turn right into the school. - Lower the speed limit permanently.
For some of the community concerns received, staff considered solutions that may be suitable for the Phase 1 implementation next year and other long-term solutions to be considered when funding becomes available. Table 1 summarizes what staff heard from the community and how it may be addressed (or why it cannot be addressed).
TABLE 1: Summary of Community Concerns from Community Meeting on September 22, 2022 Community Concerns Proposed Phase 1
implementation in 2023
Potential Long-term Solutions
(Require Additional Funding)
Pedestrian and vehicle conflicts
at the signalized intersection of
Blossom Hill Road (BHR) and
Cherry Blossom Lane (CBL).
Enhance “No Right-Turn on Red”
signage for northbound and
southbound vehicular right turns.
Consider modifying signal to provide
pedestrian-only signal phase.
Evaluate the configuration and
operation of the signalized
intersection to improve safety and
reduce confusion. Consider
eastbound and westbound
protected left-turns.
Attachment 2
“Pork Chop” free right-turn from
eastbound BHR to CHL
southbound.
Install enhanced “yield to
pedestrian” signage and pavement
markings at the “pork chop”
eastbound right-turn lane. Consider
other quick-build options.
Potentially replace the free right
turn pork chop lane with signal
controlled right turn lane.
Replace pedestrian fence at
northwest corner of the
signalized intersection with
more protective safeguard for
students.
Reduce the travel lane and introduce
wider bike lanes through the
intersection to create more buffer
between pedestrians on sidewalks
and vehicles.
Construct wider sidewalks and bulbouts; consider installing guardrail at the corner.
Vehicular Speeding Eliminate one travel lane to reduce
speeds.
Speed surveys will be conducted
after Phase 1 improvements to
determine if lowering the speed limit
can be justified.
From: Kathy Kroesche < >
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2022 5:05 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Blossom hill road 2 lane proposal
EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Town Council,
Regarding the proposal to narrow Blossom Hill Road to 2 lanes:
My experience, living right by the two lane section above the school and park, being a cyclist and walking this road almost daily for 19 years, is that narrowing to two lanes does not slow traffic down. Theoretically it is supposed to, but I have not witnessed this. I need to see the data, but intuitively and initially, I don’t see this proposal benefitting the community.
Somewhat unrelated, another expensive project in the same area was the parking lot that the town created for the park visitors which pushed pedestrians right next to the busy road. I avoid walking that strip of sidewalk most of the time. Cars often drive by so fast and it is only two lanes there as well.
If this proposal reaches you, at this point I ask you to vote against it.
Take care,
Kathy Kroesche
Sent from my iPhone
From: Raymond Markett < >
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2022 9:12 AM
To: Janice Chin <[email protected]>
Subject: Blossom hill road safety
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hello,
I suggest painting well defined bike lanes on Blossom Hill Road from Harwood and Blossom Hill to Los Gatos Blvd. and Blossom Hill, in both directions.
Best Regards,
Raymond Markett
From: Peter Murray < >
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 10:24 PM
To: Janice Chin <[email protected]>
Subject: Blossom Hill Road Safety project Update (CIP No 813-0239)
EXTERNAL SENDER
I am a resident of The Terraces of Los Gatos and live on the third floor of a building close to the intersection of Blossom Hill and Cherry Blossom. I hear and see the effected area. I share the concern for vehicle safety in the area. It is a challenging intersection in all respects.
The primary traffic safety problem is excess speed in the area, caused by a few drivers who race from stop light to stop light at full speed. The proposed mitigation plan will be costly and not address that. Those drivers will speed multiple lanes or one, as your proposed plan envisions.
Drivers are frustrated already and your proposed plan will only add to that. If bicycle safety is of primary concern might I suggest diverting them to parallel residential streets. In my view the only solution to the stated problem is strict enforcement of the existing speed limit posted. The increased cost of enforcement will be offset by the saved proposed plan cost.
Pete Murray
From: MJ Ali < >
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2022 2:02 PM
To: Joanne Justis <j >; Maria Ristow <[email protected]>; Nicolle Burnham <[email protected]>; Carrie Cain < >; Rob Rennie
<[email protected]>; Marico Sayoc <[email protected]>; Laurel Prevetti <[email protected]>; Janette Judd <[email protected]> Subject: 25 MPH at BH road "when children are present"
EXTERNAL SENDER
Today was the Blossom Hill Elementary Halloween parade, and over 400 kids were on this road from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, and I was there for my kids.
The speed limit on this road is 35 MPH (25 MPH when children are present). Many cars were speeding over 35 MPH when I was there. Unfortunately, there was no police officer in the street.
There have been many crashes/accidents on this road. The cars ended up inside the school property and sidewalks after the crash. And There have been property damages and injuries for many years on this road.
The recently proposed solution (paint on the asphalt and plastic cone on the side of the road) will not make this road safe for people.
-Mehrdad
On Oct 13, 2022, at 1:09 PM, MJ Ali < > wrote:
EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Marico Sayoc,
First, I appreciate you for giving the speech at West Valley College on Tuesday during the Iranian gathering for "Women, Life, Freedom." It means a lot that you are standing with the Iranian community against injustice and discrimination.
And please let me introduce myself. I immigrated to the U.S. in 2002. The home and roots of my family have been at 957 Blossom Hill road since 2006. And my 12 years daughter, Jasmine, and my 9-year-old son, Sherwin, are growing up in our beautiful town. And Compared to my childhood, they live in heaven. When I was their age, and during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), we could barely have hot showers more than once a week. And I did much of my school homework under the light of candles or oil lamps. I missed over 1/3 of my elementary and middle school classes due to "shelter in place" and "air strikes." I was lucky enough to survive those air strikes by not being at the scene at that moment of the bumping. By 1989 when I entered high school, I could get expelled if I wore jeans, listened to music, or had a girlfriend. In 1993, when I entered college (Tehran University, 2nd top-ranked university in the nation), I was arrested multiple times by the "morality police" (long story).
Since coming to the state, I received my Master's degree in Engineering and my California Professional Engineering license. In the last 18 years, I professionally contributed my design expertise to the building and construction industry in many cities and justifications in the bay area by practicing engineering and California Title 24. And since 2015, I have had an active business license for my home office.
The two most significant investments of my life are my kids (Like any other parent).
Jasmine is very talented and hardworking and, at the same time, humble. If you have any music app, please search for her name, "Jasmine Alipour." Her songs were composed by her during covid, and we recorded them in a studio last February.
And you may not remember that we have talked at least twice in person. On Dec 13- 2016 (during the Transportation and Parking Commissioners interview) and on Jan 26- 2017, you visited BH elementary school. In the last 7 years (since 2015), I have brought my concern regarding the safety of my family. The number of conversations, discussions, and arguments I have had with LGPD, Town officials, and leadership (Matt Morelly, ...) is beyond anyone's time, effort and energy. It is disappointing that our safety is ignored. Many crashes and accidents at BH roads resulted in property damage, injuries, two fatalities, and MENTAL STRESS. There is not a week that I don't see road rage at BH road. All of these are within the school and park, advertised as a safe routes to school.
The town's excuse for not improving the road is a lack of funds. I apologize for my rudeness, I lost all my faith in LG leadership. I am sure if our officials had fought for us, we would have had the funds by now to make the road safe.
I am asking to present the issue one more time to the town leadership in a timely manner (not 3 minutes presentation). I know the new traffic study is done, and there is an improvement plan for summer 2023. It is the wrong solution to the problem we have at BH road within the school, park, and my residential neighborhood.
I have gone through a lot of hardship in my life, and I am sure I will also go through the BH safety as well. I always look back and ask myself, what if our leaders have directed and helped us on the right path? What if our leaders meant what they said?
Thanks for reading my email
Regards
Mehrdad Alipour
cell
From: MJ Ali < >
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 11:14 PM
To: Rob Rennie <[email protected]>
Cc: Joanne Justis < >; Maria Ristow <[email protected]>; Nicolle Burnham <[email protected]>; Carrie Cain < >
Subject: Re: Metal Lion Structures - NO THANKS!
EXTERNAL SENDER
Rob,
(this message is from Mehrdad and the previous email was from Mehrdad too) I die every morning and every afternoon when my kids go to school and when they come back from school. I die every time we have guests or visitors that park on the curb. I die every time my parents come to my house and visit their grandchildren and park their car by the curb.
Do you know why?
Because the BH road is NOT safe, because many crashes happened on this road because people died on this road.
So compared to your wasted 20 hrs per week, the quality of my entire life is wasted on BH road!
On Mon, Oct 10, 2022 at 5:55 PM Joanne Justis < > wrote:
But we've heard that for years Rob. You especially should be concerned about the residents safety and not make excuses for why the improvements cannot be made. Will it take another decade to see improvements? I'm not accepting your answer as it's no longer acceptable. Just in case you don't know, the Town council does not have a great reputation.
Joanne
On Oct 7, 2022, at 8:35 AM, Joanne Justis < > wrote:
EXTERNAL SENDER
Forwarded message is attached.
Rob,
Did all of the residents get to vote on those metal sculptures to be planted throughout the Town? They are an eyesore and cheapen the look of our traditional cat sculptures. I have to look at the sculpture on Lark Avenue daily and why anyone thinks spending money on such a project to change the look of our traditional cat sculpture is OK, is beyond me. It's bad enough that that Town misrepresented the North 40 project and now this.
We want to start a petition to remove those sculptures. I was told when I called in that the residents were given the chance to vote on this project - I don't think so. Ryan Baker just replied to my email letting me know I can join a zoom call and voice my comments as if I would know to do this.
My property was annexed from the county to LG and a "benefit" was for me to have a vote on projects in the Town. So far, I have not be notified of any happening but the truth is your website is so complicated, you would have to know what you are looking for in order to know what the Town is up to.
Why would you spend any additional money around Town when you refuse to improve the safety of Blossom Hill Road? I was working with Matt Morley for three years to get the town to improve the road only to find out now that the Engineering department in August just started looking for funding, so we are starting all over again. There is not a lot of trust with the Town council because in the past, what you say and what you do have two different outcomes.
I crossed in the walkway yesterday to go to the elementary school and the crossing guard was upset. Apparently his car was hit on BH Road last week and he said this road was so dangerous but could not understand why this has not become a priority for the Town. The bike lanes on Winchester are not an improvement. The traffic on Lark Avenue and going into Town are causing other problems, so decisions being made to this Town are not improvements.
Just ask around.
As Mayor, I'm sending you my comments because I would expect that you might care about what others are talking about. We need one way to know what projects you are proposing so we don't have to dig through your
website where you have hidden important information that affects all of us.
How often are you sending out a newsletter with projects listed? Joanne
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Did everyone in Los Gatos receive the notice from the Town of Los Gatos referring to the "BLOSSOM HILL ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY PROJECT UPDATE? (CIP NO. 813-0239)
The plan is to change the 2 lanes east and 2 lanes west on Blossom Hill Rd., down to one lane on each side from Camellia Terrace to Hillbrook.
They are planning to add lanes for bikes and pedestrians.
I don't like this idea.
The paper says "the traffic modeling predicts a modest increase in traffic delays when the Phase 1 Concept Plan is implemented.
I wonder if these people use this road?
The notice says "Alternative routes are available and drivers may choose to avoid the area".
Los Gatos-Almaden Rd?
Am I wrong?
How do you feel about it?
This will be presented to the Town Council at the December 6th meeting.
Posted in General to Anyone
See 64 previous comments
(/profile/01YH2ZFJ7k9-xcPX8/?is=detail_author)
Angela Pappanastos (/profile/01YH2ZFJ7k9-xcPX8/?is=detail_author) Kennedy North (/neighborhood/kennedynorth--los-gatos--ca? source=neighborhood_name) • Edited 18 Nov (/p/m9PLFffb-mLp? view=detail)
29 Like 169 Share
Kim Hutsenpiller (/profile/019TmJcCtSxrrhZrJ/?
is=detail_commenter)
• Holland (/neighborhood/10holland--san-jose--
ca?source=neighborhood_name)
Please fight this hard! These road diets have ruined
many streets in San Jose. Bike lanes are
mostly(99%) empty and the streets are clogged!
(/profile/019TmJcCtSxrrhZrJ/?
is=feed_commenter)
5 days ago Like Reply Share 4
Gunilla Gillberg
(/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/?
is=detail_commenter)
• Kennedy North (/neighborhood/kennedynorth-
-los-gatos--ca?source=neighborhood_name)
The plan will be acted on at Los Gatos Town
Council on December 6, 2022 meeting.
Questions and input can be emailed to Janice
Chin at
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]).
What has not been taken into account is how
much the suggested change will make traffic to
flow to parallel streets like Shannon. Shannon
appears from my walking much more preferred
by school kids in all ages for walking, skate
boarding and biking than Blossom Hill Rd. There
are between Los Gatos Blvd and Cherry Blossom
Rd many stretches on Shannon without even
sidewalks. Paramedics trucks and ambulances
will also be effected by the suggested change.
Has the Fire station been consulted?
I wish that it was a way to get this very engaged
and concerned conversation on Nextdoor to the
Los Gatos Council.
(/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/?
is=feed_commenter)
4 days ago Like Reply Share
(https://nextdoor.com/hashtag/loveyourneighborhood/)
(/news_feed/)
Search Nextdoor
Linda C.
(/profile/01wyf79GMMTT3BB6M/?
is=detail_commenter)
• Los Gatos Main
(/neighborhood/losgatosmain--losgatos--ca?
source=neighborhood_name)
Gunilla Many of the town Council
members read the conversations here
but you could also print this as a PDF
and email it to the entire town council.
(/profile/01wyf79GMMTT3BB6M/?
is=feed_commenter)
1 hr ago Like Reply Share
Gunilla Gillberg
(/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/?
is=detail_commenter)
• Kennedy North
(/neighborhood/kennedynorth--losgatos--ca?source=neighborhood_name) Thanks. Glad to know that they follow
Nextdoor. Hopefully they will react.
Gunilla
(/profile/01Gh44wnwrtDY458c/?
is=feed_commenter)
Just now Like Reply Share
Add a reply...
Lisa Walker (/profile/01_qc94SWr742KR5c/?
is=detail_commenter)
• Doerr (/neighborhood/9doerr--san-jose--ca?
source=neighborhood_name)
It will be a nightmare! Check out Hillsdale Ave,
SJ, worst idea ever.
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is=feed_commenter)
4 days ago Like Reply Share 1
Add a comment...
-----Original Message-----
From: Li Linying <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 10:20 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: In support of Blossom Hill road safety project To whom it may concern,
This is Shengxuan Sun and Linying Li from 779 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. We want to support the plan to reduce speed on BH road. It helps to keep the kids safe and reduces the noise from the road.
Best,
Linying Li
-----Original Message-----
From: Gunilla Gillberg <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2022 11:35 AM
To: Janice Chin <[email protected]>
Subject: Proposed changes to Blossom Hill Rd
Dear Ms Janice Chin
The proposed changes have been met with an overwhelming no by the concerned residents on Nexdoor. The original listing has 169 responses. Please take these in consideration. I attach a few.
Sincerely
Gunilla Gillberg
800 Blossom Hill Rd,
Los Gatos, CA 95032
-----Original Message-----
From: shelley gierat <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 12:12 AM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Blossom Hill reduce speed proposal for child safety Hello,
I am in favor of the proposed plan to reduce the speed and traffic near Blossom Elementary school. I have witnessed 2 close calls and the outcome would have been devastating .
Thank you
Shelley Gierat
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence...Thich Nhat Hanh
From: Susan Carter Anderson <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 11:07 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Please approve the BH Road Safety Project
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to approve the Phase 1 plan of the BH Road Safety Project by Blossom Hill Elementary. The incidence of near tragedies where children on their school commute are almost hit at the crosswalk or tiny bike lane is horrifying. The speed and careless behavior of drivers is a huge liability and this plan is a cost effective way to intervene. Please send it forward and mark it as a priority for implementation asap. It will improve safety for the children, as well as bike lane use on this road.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
Susan Carter Anderson
775 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos
From: Evan Carter <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 11:01 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Blossom Hill Road
Dear City Council,
I am a Sophomore at Los Gatos High and have been crossing Blossom Hill Road at Cherry Blossom to get to school for the past 4 years. Several times I have almost been hit trying to cross the road at the crosswalk or use the bike lane. Cars go through red lights or are driving too fast to stop. I see little kids waiting for the crosswalk signal that get confused and start to walk into the street, so adults have to jump to pull them back from traffic. It's not safe.
Please approve the Blossom Hill Road Safety Project so that it's easier to bike and get to school.
My sister uses this crosswalk to get to Fisher and I worry about her too.
Respectfully,
Evan Carter
PREPARED BY: WooJae Kim
Town Engineer
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Community Development Director, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/6/2022
ITEM NO: 13
ADDENDUM
DATE: December 2, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive a Project Update and Approve the Phase 1 Concept Plan for the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Safety Project (CIP No. 813-0239) for Final Design REMARKS:
Attachment 4 includes additional public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, December 1, 2022, and 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 2, 2022.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachments previously with the Staff Report:
1. Phase I Concept Plan
2. Community Comments Summary
3. Public Comments
Attachments with this Addendum:
4. Public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, December 1, 2022, and 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 2, 2022
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
ATTACHMENT 4
From: kristin hutchinson <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 3:03 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Blossom Hill Road Safety Improvements
EXTERNAL SENDER
Council Members,
I am writing to put support behind, and urge action on, the proposed Blossom Hill Road Safety Improvements. I see everyday as a parent, and as the President of our Home & School Club, the impact that the traffic on Blossom Hill Road makes on our school community. Both students and parents are impacted daily by the amount of traffic and lack of safety measures on Blossom Hill Road, and specifically for us, the intersection at Cherry Blossom Road.
Taking the initial steps to make this area safer for our Los Gatos community and our Blossom Hill Elementary families is an absolute necessity, and we all thank you for your attention to these concerns.
Thank you for all your efforts,
Kristin Hutchinson
President, Blossom Hill Elementary H&SC 22/23