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Superintendent of Parks Curtis Black presented the staff report.
(At this point, the audio and video recording of the Council meeting became active).
Public hearing opened at 7:22 p.m.
Dave Mounteer, Region Director for Challenger Schools, presented their revised proposal to construct a one-way, two-lane driveway behind the school buildings. Mounteer stated the revised proposal locates the driveway closer to existing buildings as opposed to the 2006 proposal in which the driveway is located more within the turf area, which received some opposition. The driveway will double as a walking path. The new driveway loop will be put on top of the existing walkway, which will save approximately 2,000 square feet of grass compared to the original design. The revised design preserves all existing trees except for one young tree; however, Mounteer stated additional trees will be planted elsewhere as part of the project. Mounteer explained that the project’s design improvements include replacement of two playgrounds with state-of-the-art playground facilities, and improvement of the current blacktop.
Councilmember Howe confirmed Mounteer supports staff’s recommendation which is to approve the revised Master Plan for Hollenbeck School open space and to include the proposed driveway per Attachment B.
Councilmember Howe confirmed with Mounteer that the Sunnyvale School District discussed this item in an open public meeting and that the majority of elected representatives voted to approve Attachment B.
Councilmember Hamilton confirmed that students will be dropped off and picked up in front of the school.
Councilmember Swegles inquired if the new playground will be handicapped-accessible, and Mounteer stated the playground will follow all current code requirements. Councilmember Swegles acknowledged that a member of the audience stated the playground will be handicapped accessible.
Robert Harms, Parks and Recreation Commission member, stated on November 14, 2007, the commission considered this item and voted unanimously to implement staff’s recommendation (Alternative 1).
Ed Fong stated he lives one house away from the school drop-off area. Fong stated the school did a great job in trying to drop off children efficiently. Fong stated he is concerned over the process this project took and that one lane was approved in 2006, but now two lanes are being proposed. The original proposal allows for 75 cars to be removed from the road and the new proposal would allow 90. Fong stated he understands the school district is after the school to get the cars off the road; however he thinks a compromise would be somewhere in between. Fong stated Mounteer’s reference to open hearings was incorrect in that what was held was more of a presentation of their proposals and there was not an open exchange of dialogue at these meetings.
Councilmember Moylan asked on what basis is Fong claiming that elimination of a lane would not slow down traffic. Fong stated that the only difference in having two lanes is that it would allow for an additional 15 cars; however, that amount is not worth the added lane. Fong stated it is frustrating that the school can come back to Council requesting two lanes when only one was approved last year. Councilmember Moylan stated Council can only affect what comes before them.
Councilmember Chu stated the direction of the traffic was reversed and cars enter at the playground and move northward. Councilmember Chu clarified that Fong is proposing that the single lane begin sooner, which will reduce the number of vehicles that are able to access the area by 15 cars. Fong stated this is the same plan that was approved by Council last year with the exception of the traffic pattern reversal.
Margaret Okuzumi stated she would have appreciated the opportunity to have given her input to the school on this proposal, but she did not receive a meeting notice from the school in September. Okuzumi stated this revised plan has improved but she questions the real difference it will make to traffic in the area. Okuzumi stated she is opposed to building this road through an elementary school playground. Okuzumi suggested the school sell additional carpool permits which could provide some additional relief for the congestion.
Arthur Schwartz stated he supports the improvements to last year’s plan. Schwartz stated cars exiting from the front of school onto Hollenbeck can only turn right. Schwartz suggested that the signal be corrected to also allow left turns. Schwartz stated he does not see a hazard with children getting to their cars as the pick up and drop off occurs in front of the school. Schwartz stated he would like to know if the school has adequately pursued a program which fosters carpooling. Schwartz asked for a response as to whether Challenger schools have an active program that fosters carpooling in all of their schools.
Susan Richter stated the revised proposal is an improvement from last year; however, one single lane all around is also a reasonable solution. Richter requested Council add a friendly amendment to whatever motion they approve that the school work with the neighbors. Richter also requested that a cooperative agreement be documented because the school has made some traffic flow changes impacting different parts of the neighborhood; however, those impacts were not addressed by the school. Richter stated additional concern over the intersection of Hollenbeck and Torrington due to a potential back-up of vehicles waiting for gate to open.
Ben Picard, Deputy Superintendent Sunnyvale School District, stated one condition of the lease on the property occupied by Challenger School was to find a way to mitigate the traffic problems. Picard stated since Challenger has occupied the former Hollenbeck school site, there have been concerns over the traffic on Hollenbeck Road. Picard stated last year Council did issue an approval for a one-lane road at Challenger School. Picard stated the Board of Education gave serious consideration to the modification that Council made to their original proposal; however, due to the long-term lease, the board wanted to find a solution that would be permanent and long-term. Subsequently, the board issued a recommendation to defer the installation of a one-lane road and to restudy the entire project. Challenger School was asked to complete a formal traffic engineering study and to produce a thorough set of civil drawings, protecting as much open space as possible. The board negotiated with Challenger to share in the cost of upgrading the playground.
Councilmember Moylan notified Picard that Council has not received results of the formal traffic study. Councilmember Moylan asked Picard if the traffic study supported the previous speaker’s assertion that the addition of this road would not have any impact on traffic. Picard stated that traffic needs to be taken off Hollenbeck and the only way to do this is to install a two-lane driveway. According to the traffic study, the proposed plan would remedy the traffic problems and that is why the Board of Education is not interested in the one-lane solution. Councilmember Moylan confirmed with Picard that the traffic study showed the school’s plan will resolve the queueing of traffic on Hollenbeck Road. Picard stated the traffic engineer can answer questions about the study.
Challenger School’s lease goes through 2020 and Councilmember Moylan asked Picard if it is the board’s intention to never open this school again as a public school, despite the growing population of the City. Picard stated there is a provision in the lease which states that with a two-year notice, the district can reclaim the school as a public school if the demographics of the community demand that it be opened as a public school.
Councilmember Moylan stated he did not understand why the change in traffic direction through the school (to traveling clockwise) is an improvement. Councilmember Moylan stated that traveling north on Hollenbeck would cause someone to turn left turn across traffic to enter and then on their exit at Torrington, they would then become part of the traffic that the next person has to cross over. Councilmember Moylan stated it seems that everyone has to do the loop twice now that the direction was changed to clockwise; whereas, counter-clockwise caused everyone to make a right turn only onto southbound Hollenbeck. Councilmember Moylan stated clockwise seems to double the traffic since everyone has to drive the segment twice. Councilmember Moylan stated there is a one-lane bottleneck toward the end of this driveway and questioned why that would not slow down the flow through that area.
Picard stated left turns will not be permitted from the north onto Hollenbeck. Councilmember Chu inquired if a left hand turn from the north onto Hollenbeck is allowed currently, and Picard stated he would defer to Challenger School.
Councilmember Hamilton confirmed with Picard that the school capacity for Challenger School is 760 students with five portable classrooms on the site. Councilmember Hamilton inquired if under the current lease agreement, would Challenger be able to increase their student population. Picard stated they would need to amend their facility use permit through the City in order to increase their student population. Councilmember Hamilton confirmed that the school is currently at capacity.
Councilmember Hamilton inquired as to what precautions will be taken to protect children who are using the playground surface. Picard stated no children will be allowed on the playground when the area is opened as a roadway (at drop off and pick up times).
Councilmember Hamilton inquired about what the agreement is with City for public use hours. Picard stated that at 4 p.m. the area would be open to the public.
Councilmember Hamilton inquired if there is any requirement or encouragement for a carpooling program. Picard stated that Challenger has an extensive carpooling program and Mounteer can explain their program further when he speaks again.
Councilmember Chu inquired if the driveway near the playground will be rebuilt, as it currently is a narrow driveway. Picard stated they would have to obtain permits from the City and the driveway would need to be wider to allow for the traffic.
Councilmember Chu confirmed with Picard that the purpose of the two lanes is to remove car queuing completely off Hollenbeck and onto the playground. Picard stated up to 90 cars can be accommodated and that should accommodate peak queuing that is occurring on Hollenbeck Road. Councilmember Chu confirmed that the student drop-off-zoned area will be at the driveway in front of the school (off of Torrington) and then cars will continue through the driveway and back on to Torrington before the car exits at the light.
Councilmember Chu confirmed that this plan was unanimously approved by the Sunnyvale School District Board of Education (with the board president absent). Councilmember Chu confirmed that the board president lives in the neighborhood.
Councilmember Howe confirmed with staff that the applicant for this project is the Sunnyvale School District, not Hollenbeck School. Superintendent Black stated the school district is requesting revision to the master plan. Councilmember Howe requested that Vice Mayor Spitaleri allow Picard an additional five minutes to speak since he is the applicant. Vice Mayor Spitaleri agreed and requested that Picard continue on with his comments.
Picard stated the Board of Education is a partner with the City on all of the open-space projects, and this plan is an attempt to resolve the traffic and have a minimal impact on the open space. Picard encouraged Council to join the board in approving this project.
Vice Mayor Spitaleri requested Mounteer address the Council again. Mounteer offered closing remarks. Mounteer stated a compromise was reached by building the two-lane traffic loop on top of the existing pathway, which covers the same footprint as a single lane driveway. Mounteer stated the two-lane design will support 90 cars; whereas, the single-lane design will support 65, for a difference of 25, not 15 as stated by the previous speaker. Mounteer stated the purpose of the design loop is to benefit the neighborhood. Mounteer stated the lanes are closed with gates during schools hours and at no time will there be cars and students on the playground facility together. Mounteer stated left-hand turns are not permitted into the school, and nothing changes with the new design. The loop was reversed because the original design had children exiting from the wrong side of the car and walking between cars. A right-hand turn-only out of Torrington is proposed in order to keep the traffic flow moving.
Councilmember Swegles asked Mounteer how the school handles carpooling. Mounteer stated carpooling is up 5 percent and about 15 percent of the school carpools. Mounteer stated they would like to have more carpooling, but many parents work quite a distance away and it is difficult for them to coordinate with a carpool.
Councilmember Swegles inquired if it is the school or the City that does not allow left-hand turns, and Mounteer stated they are not able to control traffic without the City’s involvement. Mounteer stated that a right-hand turn at a red light allows more cars the ability to get through the intersection. Councilmember Swegles inquired if there would be enough room on the roadway for someone to also wait for a left-hand turn while another car makes a right hand-turn, and Mounteer stated there is some room in the design to handle that request, but it will slow things down.
Councilmember Swegles questioned if the effectiveness of this project will be measured with the results coming back to Council. Mounteer stated they are always committed to improving the traffic systems around all the schools for the benefit of the neighbors and parents.
Councilmember Swegles confirmed there is not any public transportation near the school.
Councilmember Hamilton confirmed that the school and district do not have any type of formal written policy about communicating with the neighbors, and how that is dealt with. Mounteer stated each director knows that open communication with the neighborhood is paramount and a neighbor can make an appointment at any time to meet with the principal or director and register their concerns.
Councilmember Moylan inquired about the three different circulation plans listed in the traffic study. Councilmember Moylan asked for an explanation as to what circulation plans 2 and 3 entail. Mounteer stated plan 2 was a single driveway loop that went around the entire property and allowed children to depart on the playground side. Mounteer stated the problem with that plan was that it required too much open space. Mounteer explained that plan 3 had cars enter from Torrington in a single lane through the west side of the school (with a double lane along the playground side) but that plan caused children to exit from the wrong side of the car and across a lane of traffic.
Councilmember Moylan confirmed that the purpose of this revised proposal is not to speed things up; rather it is to get cars off the City streets. Mounteer stated the average time in line at the school is about seven minutes and it is not expected that time will change.
Public hearing closed at 8:18 p.m.
Councilmember Hamilton stated, a member of the public asked Council to formally compel the school district and Challenger School to have a written agreement regarding communications between the school and neighbors. Councilmember Hamilton asked staff if the City can require this of the school. City Attorney David Kahn stated the application is for an amendment to the master plan and communication plans are beyond the scope of an amendment to the Master Plan. Council could make their intentions known that good communications be established, but this would not be part of the Master Plan.
MOTION: Councilmember Howe moved, and Councilmember Swegles seconded, to approve Alternative 1: Council approves the revised Master Plan for Hollenbeck School open space to include the proposed driveway, per Attachment B;
with
Challenger school and the school district are encouraged to look at this one year after completion to see if there are some other modifications needed. Councilmember Howe suggested the City’s traffic staff assist with the review.
Councilmember Howe stated the school district is attempting to assist in getting traffic off the streets and is being a good neighbor. Councilmember Howe stated the school district has required their tenant (Challenger School) hire traffic engineers to improve the neighborhood. Councilmember Howe stated this is the school district’s property and they are the majority decision makers on what happens at that location.
Councilmember Moylan stated he will support the motion. Councilmember Moylan stated the major issue with this project last year was the disappearance of some of the lawn that the public uses at this site. Councilmember Moylan stated the City will have to mow three percent less grass and citizens will use three percent less grass which is sort of a wash; however, 90 cars will come off the street with this proposal, which is a complete win for the City.
VOTE: 6-0 (Mayor Lee absent)
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