September 30, 2003

August 2003

The planning process for the Eden Avenue Traffic Calming Project was rooted in community involvement. Traffic Calming Improvements for Eden Avenue were identified as the number two priority for the Winchester Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI). The SNI planning process began in July of 2000 and this plan was approved by City Council in November of 2001. Eden is a Level -1 traffic-calming project and therefore requires community voting and approval of the proposed plan. The Eden Avenue Traffic Calming plan was passed with more than a 50% approval rate of all residents within the plan's boundaries.

Additionally, the San José Fire Department has indicated that speed tables would not be recommended for Eden Avenue, as it is the primary response route for three different fire houses in the area. There is a very real concern that speed tables would cut response time for emergencies in this area.

Many people have worked very hard to help bring a traffic-calming project to the area that reduces vehicle speed and volume, while providing an enhanced streetscape for the area. Again, thank you for expressing your traffic safety concerns to my office.

Sincerely,

Status as of June 2003

The Eden Ave. Traffic Calming Committee started almost three years ago. The goal was to come up with a plan to accomplish three objectives:

We joined the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) over two years ago and began working with the Lynhaven Neighborhood Association and the Westside Property Owners to develop a traffic calming plan to encompass all of Eden Ave. from Moorpark to Hamilton. During the planning phase, we spoke with independent traffic calming experts, our own Department of Transportation representatives, and consultants hired by the City. We looked at the feasibility of traffic signs, various kinds of speed bumps, street closure, one-way traffic, etc.

We finally came up with a plan which was presented to property owners for a vote. The Westside section of the group opposed the plan. The Eden Neighborhood section approved the plan with the elimination of the traffic circle on Eden at Finch and Yuba. The Lynhaven neighborhood approved the plan.

The current plan has been sent out for bids that must be submitted by June 5^th. It is anticipated that the plan will be approved at the city council meeting on June 17^th. The plan includes several features that we believe will discourage speeding. Specific to the sections between Payne and Williams are:

The city has listened to us and incorporated most of our requests. They have also agreed to re-evaluate traffic conditions on Eden after the construction has been completed. We believe they will find a significant decrease in the speed and number of cars on Eden. We also believe that Eden Ave. will end up being much more attractive than it is now. If these goals are not met, we will continue to work towards them.

To all who have worked on the traffic committee, and to those who have offered constructive advice, many thanks.

- Betty Kabanek, Eden Ave Traffic Calming Committee Chair

On December 6, 2002, Council Member Linda LeZotte and Traffic Engineer Henry Servin joined us in the unveiling of new traffic signs showing that the official speed limit on Eden Ave is now 25 mph (see picture). Success often comes one step at a time. That is how it has been for ENA.

Fall of 1993-People living on Eden Ave expressed concern about the traffic on Eden Ave. There were too many cars going too fast. Word of the concern spread, and meetings were held at Amber Drive School. Trixie Johnson, our Council Member at the time, attended meetings and commissioned a study of the traffic on Eden Ave. The study concluded that most cars were going over the speed limit. The solution? Raise the speed limit to 30 mph!

November 1993-ENA was formed. Several neighbors including Elayne Weldey, Mario Vazquez, Ed Gawf, Andy Sermersheim, Phyllis Garrity, Betty Kabanek and others met and formed the Eden Neighborhood Association. Their goal was to promote "a safe, clean, friendly neighborhood" and reduce the Eden Ave speed limit back to 25 mph. This is why the association is called the Eden Neighborhood Association. Mario, Ed, & Betty took turns chairing the first meetings.

1996-ENA elected its first official President, Richard Kabanek. Mario Vazquez and Carl Shoemaker, each serving for 2 years, succeeded him. Armin Quiring is currently serving his second term. During their terms, ENA has continued to press for help with Eden Ave.

2001-ENA’s traffic committee joined the Lynhaven traffic committee to pursue traffic calming on Eden Ave. Both committees joined the Winchester Strong Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) Neighborhood Advisory Committee, which ultimately listed traffic calming on Eden Ave as one of the top ten priorities of our neighborhoods.

2002-Department of Transportation accepts traffic calming plans for Eden Ave. City council approves the reduction of speed on Eden Ave. New signs unveiled : 25 mph.

 What’s Next?

January 2003-Contract the Eden Ave. traffic calming plan to design engineers.

Mid 2003-Remove temporary devices (circles and bulb-outs); begin construction of permanent devices. Thirty days after completion-test to see if the number and speed of cars has decreased.

Many, many thanks to the people who never lost sight of the ultimate goal-to make Eden Ave a safer residential street.

Status as of November 10, 2002

The Eden Neighborhood (Payne to Williams):

• Circle at Yuba and Eden will be removed.
• Embossed crosswalks and pedestrian standing areas at the corners will replace the circle at Yuba and Eden.
• Letters have been sent to inform the Eden Ave residents of the alternative plan.
• Improvements to Williams road between Eden and Winchester are complete. Includes new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, street lights, trees, and bulbouts on Eden. Comments include: "Wonderful", "No more dust after 47 years", "Really nice", "Very pleased".  There was no disruption of essential services during the work. The well-planned project took essentially two months from August to October. This was the biggest physical improvement to our neighborhood in at least 30 years.

Status as of October 5, 2002

The DOT will be mailing information regarding the amended plan sometime before the end of the year. The information will go to property owners who were part of the original voting group. There will not be another vote, but residents will receive directions for submitting their comments. This is the information as we understand it today. We are very much aware that the plans could change.

Status as of February 26, 2002

The latest plan for Eden Ave between Williams and Payne is here. The basic difference is the addition of a safety area for bicyclists.    In a recent discussion with the City of San Jose, the project goals were re-emphasized which are to reduce the speed and volume of cars on Eden Ave while enhancing the ambiance of the neighborhoods affected. Data so far has already indicated a reduction in speed on Eden Ave since the installation of the pilot program. In addition, a speed limit reduction (to 25mph) will be proposed to the City Council for Eden between Moorpark and Payne. Finally, to help the community visualize the final design, the City is working on drawings that represent a close approximation of what the street will the look like after the final construction. The following remains to be done:

• The City will meet with the community to discuss feedback on the Pilot Program.
• Final designs and landscaping drawn up based on findings from the Pilot Program and feedback from the community regarding the overall look of the project.
• Designs brought before the community for review.
• Temporary measures converted to permanent installations.
• Beautification and landscaping will be implemented.

Latest schedule:
* 3/13/02 : Finalize Pilot Project installation.
* 4/09/02 : Community meeting.
* 5/14/02 : Follow-up community meeting.
* 6/28/02 : City collects bids for construction of permanent fixtures.
* 7/26/02 : Bid is awarded.
* 9/27/02 : Permanent installation construction complete.

Status as of February 20, 2002

Status as of 12/18/2001

Status as of 11/17/2001

Completed:

Latest schedule for the installation of the 90-day Pilot Program:

• 12/7  : The rest of the traffic calming devices installed including chokers, bulbouts, and chicanes.

Latest schedule for the installation of the 90-day Pilot Program:

• 11/9; : Field mark the locations of the planned traffic calming devices (example: chalk the outline of each bulbout).
• 11/19: Three traffic circles installed along Eden Ave (Garnet, Finch, and Cadillac).
• 12/7  : The rest of the traffic calming devices installed including chokers, bulbouts, and chicanes.

The 90 day Pilot Program for Eden Ave is set to be installed in late October. During this testing phase, the City will be measuring the effectiveness of the devices. The goal is to reduce the speed and volume of cars on Eden Ave from Moorpark to Hamilton. Also, the community has an opportunity to give feedback to the City during these 90 days for improvements and general comments that will be considered during the permanent phase.

90 day Pilot Program:

• Nov. 2001 to Jan. 2002.
• Temporary materials will be used. For example, a rubber-like material for the traffic circles and chokers. Painted lines will be used to form the chicanes.
• Traffic studies will be done during this time to gauge the impact on reducing speed and intrusion.
• Community to provide the City with comments or concerns prior to Jan 15, 2002.

What's after the Pilot Program:

• City will meet with the community to discuss feedback on the Pilot Program.
• Final designs and landscaping drawn up based on findings from the Pilot Program.
• Designs brought before the community for review. (March 2002 at the earliest).
• Temporary measures converted to permanent installations.
• Beautification and landscaping will be implemented.

Pictures of the detailed  Traffic Calming Plans for the Pilot Program.

At the May 8th, 2001 general meeting, more than 70 people were in attendance to hear the recently drafted traffic calming plan by the City for our neighborhood. After reviewing this conceptual plan, the overwhelming majority of the attendees agreed that the plan was good.

Our neighborhood is very excited about this traffic calming plan from the City because we have been working very hard over the last year and a half to get a plan that will not only accomplish the traffic calming goals, but also enhance the ambiance of our neighborhood. Another exciting point is that, the City has agreed to install a Pilot Program by September 2001 which will include most of the features listed above! After a 180 day survey, the devices in the Pilot Program that prove to work well and be accepted by the neighborhood can be made permanent starting September 2002. On another positive note, there was a confirmation by the City that plans for Phelps and Cypress have already been started. Please call the hotline (491-9229) to express your excitement over the plan (please include the name of your street).