There are many benefits to living in a place like Los Gatos—the small-town charm, the tight-knit community and the leadership, that blends forward thinking with a respect for the town's past.
But most of all, Los Gatos is an inclusive community in which the town's leadership carefully considers the impact a proposal might have on residents before making a decision.
Such was the case in December when the town council considered a plan for traffic calming on Wraight Avenue. When the council discovered that not all of the affected neighbors were included in the planning process, members decided to send Los Gatos Director of Parks and Public Works John Curtis back to the drawing board to develop a new plan.
And no one was happier about it than Curtis himself.
"It was never the intention to exclude anyone," said Curtis at the Dec. 16 council meeting. "The whole point of this is to provide something the neighborhood can work with.
"If this is something the neighborhood cannot work with, then I wouldn't recommend that we go ahead with it."
The council took Curtis' recommendation—or lack thereof—and directed him to work with the residents of the area to develop a workable plan.
The area in question is located near the
Los Gatos Mobile Home Park where
Wraight and Woodland avenues intersect with Highway 9, between University Avenue
and Highway 17.
The proposal called for closure of half the road at the south end of Wraight and the installation of a bulbout at the WoodlandHighway 9 intersection.
Mobile home residents were convinced that such a plan would cause traffic problems for their park, and they were also concerned that they had been excluded from the planning process.
The council members listened to their concerns and agreed that the proposal needed further consideration.
Councilman Joe Pirzynski was quick to point
out that the council was "not denying" the
traffic-calming request, just "asking for
further study."
So Curtis will go back to work, meeting with residents from the mobile home park, Wraight
and Woodland before returning to council in February with a new plan—a plan inclusive of
all affected residents.
It's the town council's concern for the greater good that residents of the community should embrace. Council members are careful to
consider all options and listen to all concerns before rendering a decision.
Mayor Sandy Decker told Curtis to "enroll everyone at this point, so those that think
they have a decision still know that we're
looking to make this right for everyone."
What more could we ask for from our public officials?
