This report culminates a neighborhood traffic calming study that has been conducted for the Canary Drive area. Staff is presenting Council with the findings of the study and recommendations for capital improvements, consistent with the City’s adopted traffic calming policy. This report represents a formal traffic calming study that has resulted in a conclusion that traffic calming construction is appropriate. Consequently, this report also addresses process issues associated with the precedent that this plan will establish.

In October 1999, City staff received a letter from neighborhood residents citing concerns regarding speeding and cut-through traffic on Canary Drive. Consequent meetings and conversations with residents and property owners indicated that the neighborhood would like Canary Drive between Inverness Avenue and Homestead Road to be studied for possible implementation of traffic calming measures as outlined in the City’s Traffic Calming Policy.

Initial studies indicates that Canary Drive does experience speeds and traffic volumes in excess of the established City traffic calming thresholds and as cited by residents and property owners. Therefore, the street is qualified for the implementation of traffic calming measures.

Immediate actions were taken as follows: additional speed limit signs and legends were installed, the City’s radar speed trailer was deployed to the neighborhood, and additional traffic enforcement was provided by the Department of Public Safety.

Several neighborhood meetings were held, and surveys and letters were mailed to all residents and property owners throughout the course of the study, to involve them in the progress of the traffic calming study.

As a result of initial meetings, staff and the neighborhood agreed on the installation of a double yellow centerline stripe as a Stage 1 traffic calming measure. Follow-up studies showed a slight decrease in the volume of traffic and in the 85^th percentile speed after the installation of the centerline stripe, but the data still indicated that the street qualified for additional traffic calming measures.

Staff and the neighborhood then gathered to discuss different Stage 2 traffic calming measures appropriate for implementation on Canary Drive. From the meetings, staff and the neighborhood were able to develop a recommended Stage 2 traffic calming plan to be voted on by the neighborhood. The plan developed by the neighborhood and staff consists of a landscaped traffic circle at the intersection of Canary Drive and Loch Lomond, a stamped concrete speed hump located on the property lines of four Canary Drive residences, and a 4 foot by 20 foot long median island with brick pavers on Canary Drive at Inverness Avenue (See Attachment A). This plan was presented to the neighborhood through a letter and survey prepared by staff. Of the returned surveys, 71% supported the traffic calming plan and 29% were opposed to the plan.

On Canary Drive, the Stage 2 traffic calming measures (landscaped traffic circle, stamped concrete speed hump, and brick paver island) are proposed to be constructed by Public Works Street and Landscaping crews. Current estimates for construction of the irrigated landscaped traffic circle and brick paver island is $60,000.00 and construction of the stamped concrete speed hump is $6,500.00. City Council previously approved a capital project for the construction of Stage 2 traffic calming measures on Canary Drive, Project Number 822220 with a budget of $168,250.00. This budget was established and recommended to Council based on the initial findings and neighborhood outreach at the time of the 2001/2002 capital budget was being prepared. This budget is unspent. Implementation of the recommended plan will result in $101,750.00 being returned to the Gas Tax Fund.

However, approval of the Stage 2 traffic calming plan for Canary Drive will necessitate an annual increase in Public Works Landscaping budget to account for the yearly maintenance of the landscaped traffic circle. Currently, staff is estimating that an increase of $3,000.00 will be needed for the yearly operation and maintenance of the landscaped traffic circle. If the Stage 2 traffic calming plan is approved by City Council, Staff will prepare the necessary budget modification to increase Public Works Landscaping operation and maintenance budget at the completion of the project.

Public contact was made through postings of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.

Neighborhood residents and property owners on Canary Drive and Loch Lomond Court were informed at all stages of the traffic calming studies. Neighborhood meetings were held at the Ortega Park Building on July and November of 2000, September of 2001, and January of 2002. Residents and property owners were mailed information letters detailing results of meetings and surveyed for consensus for implementation of Stage 1 and Stage 2 traffic calming plans.

Staff recommends that City Council approve the following:

1. Approve the implementation of a capital project to construct the Stage 2 traffic calming plan for Canary Drive as developed by staff and the Canary Drive/Loch Lomond Court neighborhood.
2. Direct staff to prepare a budget modification to increase the Public Works Landscaping maintenance budget in order to maintain the new landscaping associated with the traffic calming construction.
3. Direct staff to prepare a budget modification to provide for increased traffic calming capital construction projects coincident with the anticipated demand.

In February 1997, the City Council approved a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy for the City of Sunnyvale. The policy was a result of residents’ concerns and complaints regarding a variety of traffic problems within the City’s residential neighborhood over previous years. Also, other municipal governments and the traffic engineering profession in general have increased recognition of the applicability of traffic calming in certain situations. The document for the Traffic Calming Policy defines different Stage 1 and Stage 2 traffic calming measures, and establishes criteria that need to be met before a neighborhood street can have Stage 2 traffic calming measures implemented. The adopted policy also defines procedures for staff to follow while conducting traffic calming studies.

C3 Attain a transportation system that is effective, safe, pleasant, and convenient.

N1.5 Support a roadway system that protects internal residential areas from city-wide and regional traffic.

N1.5.2 Utilize the City’s residential neighborhood "Traffic Calming" techniques to address specific neighborhood concerns.

Canary Drive is a relatively short residential street that is approximately 1200 feet long and 40 feet wide (See Attachment B). The street is posted for a 25 mph speed limit. At the onset of the study, staff reviewed the potential for Stage 1 traffic calming, and implemented various measures as interim solutions in an attempt to address the neighborhood’s concerns. These measures included posting additional speed limit signs and legends, increased traffic enforcement action, and radar speed trailer deployment.

As part of the traffic calming study, staff conducted speed surveys and volume counts on Canary Drive to monitor traffic during January/February 2000. The speed surveys showed that the 85^th percentile speed on Canary Drive was approximately 35 mph. This was 3 mph over the City’s threshold 85^th percentile speed of 32 mph for a signed 25 mph street. The 85^th percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of traffic is travelling at or below. The volume counts showed that the volume of traffic on Canary Drive was approximately 1200 vehicles per day; this is 200 vehicles per day over the City’s threshold of 1000 vehicles per day for a residential street. As a result of the obtained volume and speed data, Canary Drive was deemed to meet the minimum criterion needed for consideration for installation of Stage 2 traffic calming measures.

After the initial meetings and discussions, staff and neighborhood representatives agreed that the City would survey the neighborhood to gauge support for installing a double yellow centerline stripe on Canary Drive as an interim solution. Staff prefers to survey residents and property owners prior to making the decision to install centerline stripes, as they can give the perception of changing the character of the street while at the same time psychologically appearing to narrow the street to drivers. Of the returned surveys, 85% of the residents/property owners were in favor of the installation of a double yellow centerline stripe and 15% were against the installation. With the favorable results, staff proceeded with the installation of the striping. After a trial period, staff conducted traffic counts and speed surveys on Canary Drive to check for any changes due to the new striping after a six month period. The results of the monitoring showed that traffic volumes decreased from 1200 vehicles per day to 1100 vehicles per day. Also the 85^th percentile speeds decreased from 35 mph to approximately 34 mph. Based on these values Canary Drive still continued to meet the criteria necessary for neighborhood traffic calming.

After obtaining the results from the Stage 1 traffic calming implementation, Staff scheduled meetings with neighborhood residents and property owners to discuss and develop a Stage 2 traffic calming plan for Canary Drive. Neighborhood meetings were held on November 30, 2000, September 12, 2001 and January 8, 2002 at the Ortega Park Building. At these meetings, City staff and neighborhood residents discussed different Stage 2 traffic calming options along with their pros and cons. Potential Stage 2 traffic calming measures as indicated in the City’s traffic calming policy can include: speed humps, speed tables, traffic circles, median entry/exit islands, curb extensions, median barriers, forced-turn islands, chicanes, diagonal diverters and street closures. Benefits and impacts of the various measures can vary greatly and may not be appropriate for use on all streets.

The Stage 2 traffic calming plan developed as a result of these meetings include the installation of a landscaped traffic circle at the intersection of Canary Drive and Loch Lomond, a stamped concrete speed hump located on the property lines of the 1625/1629 and 1622/1626 Canary Drive residences, and a 4 foot by 20 foot long median island with brick pavers on Canary Drive at Inverness Avenue. The traffic circle as approved by the neighborhood, includes landscaping with annual flowers, small shrubs, a small tree, and irrigation. The proposed design meets guidelines for effective implementation of traffic calming devices.

During the development and finalization of this Stage 2 traffic calming plan, staff retained a traffic calming consultant to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a traffic circle at the intersection of Canary Drive and Loch Lomond. The evaluation showed that a traffic circle could be constructed within the existing pavement section at the intersection that will accommodate emergency vehicles and other large vehicles while at the same time effectively slow down traffic.

During a September 12, 2001 neighborhood meeting, several residents expressed concerns and confusion regarding the possible speed hump. In order to better educate and inform residents on the shape, dimensions and effects of a speed hump, staff procured and installed a temporary speed hump constructed of recycled tire material at the proposed location on Canary Drive. In addition, this temporary installation demonstrated to the neighborhood the differences between a speed hump and a speed bump, which is commonly found in parking lots. Staff intends on using this test methodology in future traffic calming studies if this situation arises.

It became clear to staff that the neighborhood was proceeding towards the approval of the Stage 2 traffic calming plan, and that additional funds would be needed for the capital construction. Staff requested that Council approve a capital project to provide the necessary funds for construction of traffic calming measures on Canary Drive during the 2001/2002 fiscal year. Council approved a project with $168,250.00 as estimated by staff for the design and construction of traffic calming measures on Canary Drive. This included the preparation of full engineering drawings if necessary and construction of various Stage 2 traffic calming measures.

The Stage 2 traffic calming measures (landscaped traffic circle, stamped concrete speed hump, and brick paver island) are proposed to be constructed by Public Works Street and Landscaping crews. Current estimates for construction of the landscaped traffic circle and brick paver island is $60,000.00 and construction of the stamped concrete speed hump is $6,500.00. City Council previously approved a capital project for the construction of Stage 2 traffic calming measures on Canary Drive, Project Number 822220 with a budget of $168,250.00. This budget is unspent. Implementation of the recommended plan will result in $101,750.00 being returned to the Gas Tax Fund.

However, approval of the Stage 2 traffic calming plan for Canary Drive will necessitate an increase in Public Works Landscaping budget to account for the yearly maintenance of the landscaped traffic circle. Currently, staff is estimating that an annual increase of $3,000.00 will be needed for the yearly operation and maintenance of the landscaped traffic circle. If the Stage 2 traffic calming plan is approved by City Council, staff will prepare the necessary budget modification to increase Public Works Landscaping operation and maintenance budget at the completion of the project.

Canary Drive is a study requested by residents which qualifies and has neighborhood consensus for Stage 2 traffic calming measures. The City Council’s decision whether or not to proceed with the capital project construction will set a significant precedent on how the City responds to Stage 2 traffic calming requests, with possible impacts on the City. Previous traffic calming capital projects such as Taaffe/Frances and Crawford Road closures were unique and given special consideration by City Council. These projects had relatively small construction costs. Currently, the traffic calming study budget will only allow for the study of neighborhoods for the possible implementation of traffic calming measures. This does not include the capital construction necessary to implement any Stage 2 traffic calming measures.

The City’s Traffic Calming Policy clearly defines the traffic calming study and implementation process from start to finish. Currently as setup, staff receives and conducts traffic calming studies on first come, first serve basis. At the end of the study, if it meets all criteria set by the policy and is approved by the neighborhood, Council will make the final decision on construction of the approved traffic calming plan. Typically, staff receives approximately eight to ten requests to study streets for traffic calming a year. Most requests do not qualify for traffic calming study based on the speed and volume of traffic on the street or on the street not being classified as a neighborhood residential street. One or two studies per year do progress to a higher level of neighborhood involvement, design, and implementation of Stage 1 measures.

It is important for City Council to consider and take into account that all traffic calming studies are not the same. For example, the Stage 2 traffic calming plan developed for Canary Drive may not be usable or practical for any other street. Each study will have its own level of complexity and neighborhood concerns. Implementation of the Canary Drive traffic calming plan is estimated to be approximately $66,500.00, but the next project may cost significantly more or less. City Council may wish to consider a long range budget for future traffic calming capital construction.

Given the current level of effort for traffic calming studies (approximately two per year), the potential exists for one or two new traffic calming capital projects to be identified each year. Staff estimates that a reasonable budget estimate for implementing these projects is $100,000.00 per year, although some projects can require funds that greatly exceed this amount. Should the Council desire to establish a capital budget for traffic calming, staff recommends a minimum annual budget of $100,000.00 a year over the next five years as a starting point. This amount will provide staff with the necessary funds to complete at a minimum the construction of one traffic calming capital project a year. If Council chooses not to establish a capital budget for the implementation of traffic calming, staff will continue to present each project to Council for approval of funding and implementation on a case by case basis.

Based on the City’s Traffic Calming Policy, staff has conducted a traffic calming study on Canary Drive from Homestead Road to Inverness Avenue at the request of neighborhood residents and property owners. The study showed that Canary Drive is experiencing traffic speeds and volumes that warrant it for implementation of Stage 2 traffic calming measures.

Staff has worked and obtained neighborhood buy-in for implementation of Stage 1 traffic calming measures. The implemented Stage 1 measures have had an affect on overall speeds and volumes but not enough to fall below the designated criteria.

As a result, staff and the neighborhood have developed a Stage 2 traffic calming plan for Canary Drive. Neighborhood residents and property owners have been surveyed for support of the Stage 2 traffic calming plan. Out of 80 letters and surveys mailed out 38% responded and the majority of the respondents support implementation of the plan.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.

In addition, an informational letter and copies of this report were mailed to all residents and property owners of Canary Drive and Loch Lomond Court.

During the study period and development of the Stage 2 Traffic Calming Plan, several neighborhood meetings were held to inform and solicit input from residents and property owners. Also, at key junctures of the study and process letters and/or surveys were sent to residents and property owners of homes on Canary Drive and Loch Lomond Court. Neighborhood meetings were held at the Ortega Park Building in July and November of 2000, September of 2001, and January of 2002. Neighborhood surveys were mailed to residents and property owners on March 29, 2000 to gauge support from the neighborhood for the need of a traffic calming study, August 14, 2000 for approval of installation of the double yellow center line striping, and January 22, 2002 for approval of Stage 2 traffic calming plan.