Community Corner
Los Gatos: One Way To The Highway
Community leaders are conducting a survey to get Los Gatos residents' takes on the pilot that made Santa Cruz Ave. one way this summer.
LOS GATOS, CA — This summer was a testing ground for this quaint little town nestled in the woods between Campbell and Santa Cruz, and now the town government wants to know what you think about it.
The town's Public Works Department is conducting a survey to retrieve feedback on the One-Way Street Pilot Program, which essentially narrows Santa Cruz Avenue which books up with beach traffic. During the peak hours of the weekend of the summer, the town of Los Gatos can turn into a parking lot of beach goers headed to the shore onto State Route 17, which circumvents the town. The one-way concept was designed to make the popular route to those going through town.
The opinions are as varied as South Bay residents including those who live and work in the Santa Clara County town.
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"There's always going to be beach traffic no matter what they do," Loma Brewing Manager Kristie Mauppin told Patch. Still, she considers the One-Way Street Pilot Program an improvement because no solution was not an option for the nauseating traffic mess.
That said, Mauppin commutes to the brewery situated smack dab in the middle of Santa Cruz Avenue, and she's noticed her drive to work especially on the weekends.
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"Everything bottlenecks at Lark (Avenue)," Mauppin said, adding she'd like to see Highway 17 widened.
With the project, Mauppin believes the temporary parklets that allows seating in front of businesses a success.
"It's the town's vision to try them out," she said.
The southbound Santa Cruz pilot program that will run through October also established the installation of parklets, sidewalk cafes and a Class II bike lane that's used often in one of the most walkable, active towns in the region.
A little off the beaten path, Oak & Rye Manager Brie Hanson would like the parklets positioned more strategically.
Hanson is also concerned about increased traffic on the side streets since she lives in town. She's noticed it's taken her longer to get into downtown because she's altered her route to avoid traffic.
More information may be obtained by visiting www.losgatosca.gov/experiencelg.
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