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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-2009 Supplemental Council AgendaMemo Thank you. City of Saratoga City Clerk's Office To: Mayor and City Councilmembers From: Ann Sullivan, City Clerk Date: November 4, 2009 Re: AGENDA ITEM #7 Herriman Avenue Pedestrian Walkway and Bicycle Lane Review Attached is documentation staff has received pertaining to the Herriman Avenue Pedestrian Walkway and Bicycle Lane Review. Kristin Borel From: Fiona Rodrigues [fiona461@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 7:14 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Herriman Ave Good Morning, I live on Loma Rio Dr. and I have three children whom either walk or ride bikes to Saratoga High school and Redwood on a daily basis. I agree with the many other families on our street that the current configuration should not be changed for the safety of the children who use this path daily to get to and from school. Not only are you dealing witht the kids walking and riding their bikes you have the high school drivers and parents picking up their kids and rushing off to their next event. People today are in such a rush that they are forgetting to slow down, I am afraid if you change the current configuration someone will get hurt and I don't want to see anyone getting hurt needlessly. Changing the configuration would be to appease a few at the detriment of many many others, four households compared to the hundreds of kids who use that pathway daily. Should we risk an injury to appease four households In my opinion we should not!!!! Thank You Fiona Rodrigues 14098 Loma Rio Dr. Saratoga, Ca This is the only viable solution when you consider all of the residents affected It provides adequate lanes on the south side of Herrimann for both pedestrians and bicyclists. This side is critical due to the large foot and bike traffic between the path to Redwood Middle School and Saratoga High School. There are many kids estimate 15 -20) on Jerries Drive, Loma Rio, and the side courts that come down Jerries Drive and go right or left on Herrimann. They stay on the south side of the road and in groups, particularly coming home, and are totally unaware of the automobile traffic passing near them. They need all of this room for their own safety. 11/3/2009 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel Brad and Kathryn Mandell 11/3/2009 From: Brad Mandell (brmandel) [brmandel @cisco.com] Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 9:11 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Herriman parking Page 1 of 1 We live at 14031 jerries drive and walk along herriman ALL the time. I support DO Nothing and leave the road walk/bike lanes as they are. They work GREAT as is. Kristin Borel From: vvabarnhaw [wallynord©sbcglobal.net] Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 7:51 PM To: Kristin Bore! Subject: Council meeting on 4 November regarding possible modifications to the configuration of Herrimann Attachments: Comments on the four proposed options, Herrimann.doc Kristin, Attached are my comments on the subject program. 1 remain adamant that the only good solution for the m jority of the residents affected is the present solution. 1 have been under the weather and may not be able to attend the meeting but lam hopeful that other resident with children attending Saratoga High and Redwood Middle will attend or at leas send emails supporting the existing configuration. Walter Shaw 14933 Jerries Dr. 867-7418 11/3/2009 Page 1 of 1 City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] From: Denise Murphy [denisemurphy @comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:51 AM To: Kristin Borel; mareb @sbcglobal.net; wafter shaw; Cathy Robert Dimicco; Chuck Page; Kathleen King; Jill Hunter; Howard Miller; Susie Nagpal; tpm @berliner.com Cc: City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] Subject: opposal to 3 Herriman options slated for discussion at November 4 meeting Hi Ms. Borel and the Saratoga City Council, Our family has lived at 14939 Jerries Drive since July of 1999. We are 4 houses in from Herriman on the creek side of the street. We oppose all proposed Public Works options that would remove the safety improvements installed on Herriman Avenue and, in particular, all options that would add parking spaces to an already treacherous stretch of roadway (proposed Public Works Options 2 -4). All parts of the current road layout separate bike and pedestrian lanes, a raised berm to shield from traffic, posts to help in keeping traffic in line have really made a difference in safety terms. When our children were very young, we didn't often try to walk to the Saratoga Farmers Market just down the street while it was still at Saratoga High. We especially dreaded the Herriman turn as cars came too close and too fast. Neither side of the curve, or the adjacent straightaway, was safe. Last year when our oldest daughter walked early to Sacred Heart for school every day, we dreaded the Herriman stretch up to Saratoga Avenue as cars crossed traffic lines zipping around the curve as they rushed to work or school. We did not want to let our children, even in groups, go unescorted to Saratoga High the other way down the street for summer school, camps, NJB, DACA swim because it wasn't worth the risks. But our children are just three of many others who use Herriman and subject themselves to the dangers of the curve ending at Jerries Drive. The pedestrian and bike flow is significant. It includes children walking or biking to and from school (Redwood, Saratoga High, St. Andrews, Sacred Heart) every day, after school cross country runners from the High School, Redwood children heading to the High School for sports or band. In the spring and summer it includes students for summer school, camps, and sports programs. Needless to say, adults walking, with or without dogs, biking are also concerned about the safety of that stretch. What a difference now. The City recognized the clear need for building in protection from traffic and made improvements that, while they don't lessen the speed of the drivers, shelter walkers and bikers with much clearer boundaries. How could the City take these safety improvements away, to the clear detriment of the public, for the convenience of a few? There should be no obstacles at all on that section of Herriman. No child should have to make way for a parking car while trying to pay attention to the traffic zipping by all around and next to him. We are unable to attend the City Council's November 4 meeting but thank you sincerely for your consideration. We have copied on this e-mail three of our Jerries Drive neighbors, the Shaws, the Bierachs (who are on your contact list) and the DiMiccos, with whom we have been in touch on this issue out of our common safety concerns. Thank you. Tom and Denise Murphy 1 City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] From: Marilyn Bierach [mareb @sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:46 PM To: City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] Subject: RE: opposal to 3 Herriman options slated for discussion at November 4 meeting Hi Ann, My name is Marilyn Bierach and I have lived on Jerries and Herriman since 1972 and have seen many accidents and near accidents on Herriman over the years. It is so much safer now. I am opposed to any changes on Herriman also. I plan on attending the meeting tonight, but wanted my opposition in making Herriman a dangerous stretch again known to the city council. Regards, Marilyn Bierach On Wed, 11/4/09, City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] <ctclerk@saratoga.ca.us> wrote: From: City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] <ctclerk @saratoga.ca.us> Subject: RE: opposal to 3 Herriman options slated for discussion at November 4 meeting To: "Denise Murphy" <denisemurphy @comcast.net "Kristin Borel" <kborel @saratoga.ca.us mareb @sbcglobal.net, "walter shaw" <wallynord @sbcglobal.net "Cathy Robert Dimicco" <cathnrobert@yahoo.com "Chuck Page" <cpage @saratoga.ca.us "Kathleen King" <kk2king @saratoga.ca.us "Jill Hunter" <jhunter @saratoga.ca.us "Howard Miller" <hmiller @saratoga.ca.us "Susie Nagpal" <snagpal @saratoga.ca.us tpm @berliner.com Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 9:48 AM Denise Thank you for your email message regarding the Herriman agenda item. I will include it in the submitted material for this council meeting. Ann Sullivan City Clerk From: Denise Murphy mailto :denisemurphy @comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:51 AM To: Kristin Borel; mareb @sbcglobal.net; walter shaw; Cathy Robert Dimicco; Chuck Page; Kathleen King; Jill Hunter; Howard Miller; Susie Nagpal; tpm @berliner.com Cc: City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] Subject: opposal to 3 Herriman options slated for discussion at November 4 meeting 1 Kristin Borel From: Yvonne Harter [harterjr @pacbell.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:20 PM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Herriman Avenue Hello Kristin, I am writing to you in regard to the proposed changes for Herriman Avenue. Our family lives on Jerries Drive, 3 houses from Herriman. Currently we have a son who walks to Redwood and a daughter who walks the Saratoga High. I walk my dog on Herriman. We have lived here for 16 years. We oppose changing Herriman Avenue for the convenience of a few while risking the safety of the great majority of residents who walk or bike this heavily -used street. Our view is that the current walking path and painted bike paths were much needed safety measures which the City wisely added (at a reasonable cost). With Saratoga High, Redwood, Foothill, St. Andrews and Sacred Heart students all using this street, we feel safety should be the over arching concern, not the convenience of neighborhood parking spaces. We would also like the Council to consider putting a stoplight at the intersection of Herriman and Saratoga Avenue. This intersection is heavily used, particularly when the area schools begin and end. Cars back up to the high school whenever events (such as a football game or McAfee concert) let out. Redwood employs a crossing guard during limited morning and afternoon hours at this intersection but this is not adequate for the constant volume of traffic. Plus he is not always there so the kids have to negotiate this dangerous intersection themselves. A few years ago, a child cyclist was hit in the crosswalk. Last week I witnessed the result of a three -car crash at the intersection. Over the last 15 years, I have seen dozens of near misses as drivers refuse to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. I've been one of those pedestrians. For drivers, making that left turn from Herriman to Saratoga Avenue has become a game of Russian roulette. It is especially dangerous for inexperienced teenage drivers coming home from the high school. Los Gatos has a similar intersection (Daves Avenue and Winchester Blvd) near an elementary school. The City has installed a stoplight, a crossing guard and flashing 25 mph speed limit signs. Given the volume of traffic at this intersection, we would like to see the City Council adopt the same measures for Herriman and Saratoga Avenue. Thank you for hearing me out. Yvonne Harter Jerries Drive 11/4/2009 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Jiinglin Tseng [mail2jkt @yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 4:30 PM To: Kristin Borel Cc: Kathleen King; Howard Miller; jill hunter; Chuck Page Subject: Fw: City Council Meeting- Herriman Avenue Attachments: Herriman CC meeting 11- 04- 09.pdf; Herriman Options 1- 4.pdf Our neighborhood (Braemar Dr, Merribrook Dr.& Thelma Ave) supports Option 1 (Leave Herriman Ave as it currently is). We also feel that it is time to put a stop light at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Herriman It is our hope that the Council will act with responsibility and provide the safest possible environment for our youths and adults. Sincerely, Katherine Tseng Alice Chiou Mayjane Chuang Winston Chen Jacob Sun Frank Chiou From: "Kristin Borel" <kborel @saratoga.ca.us> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:53:23 -0700 To: Kristin Borel <kborel @saratoga.ca.us> Subject: City Council Meeting Dear Residents, I am sending out letters today inviting residents to the upcoming City Council meeting where they will be deciding on one of the four options for Herriman Avenue that have come out of our meetings with neighbors. I have attached the letter sent out today, and I have also attached the 4 options in plan form. Please invite any neighbors you think might be interested and may not have received a notice through the mail. Notices were sent to residents along Herriman from Saratoga Vista to Saratoga Avenue, and emails sent to residents who came to the meetings. 11/4/2009 Page 1 of 2 City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] From: Yvonne Harter [harterjr @pacbell.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:18 PM To: Skip Shaw; Denise Murphy; mareb @sbcglobal.net; Chuck Page; Kathleen King; Jill Hunter; Howard Miller; Susie Nagpal; tpm @berliner.com; Cathy Dimicco Cc: City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] Subject: Fw: City Council Meeting- Herriman Avenue Hello all, here is a Fw from Kathy Waite, an officer of Saratoga High School's PTSO. Thanks, Yvonne Harter Original Message From: Kathy Waite- Waite Associates To: 'Yvonne Harter' Shinku Sharma' 'Teri Kasik' Cc: 'Cynthia Chang' Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 2:09 PM Subject: RE: City Council Meeting- Herriman Avenue Yvonne, Thank you for thinking of us. Ican't make it tonight, but here's my opinion. Feel free to share. I used to live blocks (corner of Lexington and Franklin) from the high school and Herriman scares me! I support the light at Herriman /Saratoga Ave. Equally important for safety are the cross walks on Herriman (at Lexington and Camino Rico). They need the flashing lights. I've personally have come very close to being it in both crosswalks, and have seen kids nearly hit. And a Foothill girl was hit two /three years ago at Lexington and Herriman. FYI- my close calls were always with parents- not students. Parents are distracted, frazzled, in a hurry —you name it. Thanks again, Kathy Waite From: Yvonne Harter [mailto:harterjr @pacbell.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:55 PM To: Shinku Sharma; Teri Kasik; K Haraathy Waite; Faithe Liu; Sudha Sreenivasan; Carolyn Doles; Helun Hui; Cathie Thermond; Kristin Gragnola; Pat Opatrny; Kit Lofgren; Janaki Shukla; Bev Harada Cc: Cynthia Chang Subject: Fw: City Council Meeting- Herriman Avenue Hi all, Since you are Saratoga High PTSO Officers this year, I thought you might be interested in knowing about an important issue that will be addressed at tonight's 7:00 pm Saratoga City Council meeting. The council will be deciding whether to modify Herriman Avenue (again). I was hoping you might be willing to pass the info on to the SHS PTSO communitiy at large. So many of our students walk or bike to school and whatever the Council decides will affect the safety of our students for years to come. It is my hope that the Council will act with responsibility and provide the safest possible environment for our students. There are basically four options on the table (see attachment for details): 1. Leave Herriman Avenue as it currently is. 2. Return to 2007 conditions remove existing pedestrian pathway, add bicycle lanes which will restrict parking 7 am 7 pm. 1 3. Create a shared parking /bicycle lane on north side from Lannoy Ct for 250 ft. (creates 7 parking spaces, no parking 7 am 7 pm) 4. Shoulder stripe instead of full bicycle lane east of Jerries. Creates shared parking /bicycle lane with no parking 7 am 7 pm. Parking between Lannoy and Saratoga Ave Our neighborhood (Jerries Drive /Loma Rio) supports Option 1. We also feel that it is time to put a stop light at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Herriman. This intersection has become extremely dangerous for both pedestrians, cyclists and drivers (I witnessed a three -car crash there this past week). When events let out at Saratoga High (such as football games and McAfee Center events) the cars are backed up as far as Saratoga High. The intersection is at a stand -still every morning and afternoon when Saratoga High, Redwood, Foothill, Sacred Heart and St. Andrews start/end the school day. Over the years I have seen a dozen or so near misses as autos refuse to stop for students and cyclists in the crosswalk. One young cyclist was hit several years ago. Redwood employs a crossing guard at this intersection who is generally (but not always) there before and after school. My observation (having had 3 children walk to Redwood) is that his life is in danger given the aggressive nature of drivers. A better solution would be a stoplight AND a crossing guard and 25 mph flashing signs during school hours, such as the City of Los Gatos has at the T- intersection of Winchester Blvd. and Daves Avenue. This would be a safer solution for new teen drivers as well -no more Russian roulette when making that left turn from Herriman to Saratoga Ave. To summarize, 1) keeping Herriman Avenue as is (with curbed walking path and painted bike paths); and 2) putting in a stoplight at the intersection of Herriman and Saratoga Ave. will help our SHS students be safer as they walk, bike or drive to SHS. Please ask families to attend tonight's Council meeting or send an email to Public Works Analyst Kristen Borel kborelPsaratoga..ca.us regarding Herriman Avenue. The more input we have from our school families, the greater our chance of being heard. Thank you for your help in spreading the word. Yvonne Harter (408) 867 5405 From: "Kristin Borel" <kborel @saratoga.ca.us> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:53:23 -0700 To: Kristin Borel<kborel@saratoga.ca.us> Subject: City Council Meeting Dear Residents, I am sending out letters today inviting residents to the upcoming City Council meeting where they will be deciding on one of the four options for Herriman Avenue that have come out of our meetings with neighbors. I have attached the letter sent out today, and I have also attached the 4 options in plan form. 2 Please invite any neighbors you think might be interested and may not have received a notice through the mail. Notices were sent to residents along Herriman from Saratoga Vista to Saratoga Avenue, and emails sent to residents who came to the meetings. I hope to see you on November 4th Sincerely, Kristin Borel Public Works Analyst 408 868 -1258 Windows 7: I wanted more reliable, now it's more reliable. Wow! 3 City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] From: capekfamily @aol.com Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:39 PM To: Chuck Page; Kathleen King; Jill Hunter; Howard Miller; Susie Nagpal; City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] Subject: Herriman Ave Dear Saratoga City Council, I am writing to you in regard to the proposed changes for Herriman Avenue. My family lives on Jerries Drive. I have a son who walks or rides his bike to Redwood everyday and a daughter who attends Saratoga High. I also walk my dog quite often using Herriman. I oppose changing Herriman Avenue as I believe you would be risking the safety of the residents who walk or bike this heavily -used street. My view is that the current walking path and painted bike paths were much needed safety measures which the City wisely added. I feel safety should be the concern, not the convenience of neighborhood parking spaces. I also believe this issue has already been addressed and the prior recommendations have been implemented. I don't understand why your time is being wasted on this issue again! Thank you. Sincerely, Linda Capek 14041 Jerries Drive 1 City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] From: capekfamily @aol.com Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:39 PM To: Chuck Page; Kathleen King; Jill Hunter; Howard Miller; Susie Nagpal; City Clerk [Ann Sullivan] Subject: Herriman Ave Dear Saratoga City Council, I am writing to you in regard to the proposed changes for Herriman Avenue. My family lives on Jerries Drive. I have a son who walks or rides his bike to Redwood everyday and a daughter who attends Saratoga High. I also walk my dog quite often using Herriman. I oppose changing Herriman Avenue as I believe you would be risking the safety of the residents who walk or bike this heavily -used street. My view is that the current walking path and painted bike paths were much needed safety measures which the City wisely added. I feel safety should be the concern, not the convenience of neighborhood parking spaces. I also believe this issue has already been addressed and the prior recommendations have been implemented. I don't understand why your time is being wasted on this issue again! Thank you. Sincerely, Linda Capek 14041 Jerries Drive