REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Traffic Calming Measures along Harold Avenue as part of the South of Forest Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2024, the Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division completed an area-wide traffic calming study for the South of Forest Neighborhood based on the guidelines in the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP). Several community meetings were conducted in 2024 and 2025, and during those discussions and subsequent resident surveys, residents of Harold Avenue (between Forest Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard) expressed a strong desire for speed humps as a traffic calming measure along their street.
Although speed humps on Harold Avenue comply with the traffic volume and data requirements of the NTCP, there is not 100 percent property owner support within 100 feet of the proposed speed hump locations as required by the NTCP. Due to the strong community interest in speed humps on Harold Avenue, this item is being presented to Council for consideration.
BACKGROUND
As part of the City’s 2018 Santana West Settlement Agreement with the City of San Jose, $250,000 was allocated for the City of Santa Clara to conduct a traffic calming study in the South of Forest Neighborhood (SOFN). The SOFN area consists of 12 public streets and is bounded by San Tomas Expressway to the west, Forest Avenue to the north, Winchester Boulevard to the east, and Stevens Creek Boulevard to the south. A map identifying the SOFN traffic calming study area is included as Attachment 1.
Traffic calming studies follow the policies and procedures outlined in the NTCP and consider various factors when evaluating a roadway or neighborhood such as historical background, reported citizen concerns, collision history, roadway network, land use, traffic volumes, and traffic speeds. Below is an overview of the NTCP and key criteria utilized to determine what level of traffic calming measure could be implemented on City roadways.
NTCP Overview: On April 27, 1999, City Council established the NTCP to address and resolve local neighborhood traffic concerns in a systematic manner. The NTCP guidelines (Attachment 2) are utilized by staff when analyzing traffic calming requests submitted by residents and for City initiated traffic calming studies. Traffic calming requests and concerns can vary significantly and the NTCP offers three levels of traffic calming measures (i.e. improvements), which are dependent on the results of studies, data collection and analysis.
• Level 1: Education, public involvement, enforcement efforts, signing, striping, parking controls, speed feedback signs, and use of the City’s speed radar trailer.
• Level 2: Alterations of a neighborhood street which can include chokers, chicanes, gateways, and rumble strips to deter or prohibit a specific action.
• Level 3: Measures similar to Level 2 that may alter neighborhood streets, but these measures may also affect overall neighborhood access and require coordination for emergency response. Examples of Level 3 measures include speed humps, traffic circles, median barriers, forced turn channelization, and diagonal diverters.
It is important note that Under the City’s NTCP, Level 2 and Level 3 traffic calming measures require City Council approval. Level 1 improvements are approved by the City’s Transportation Manager.
NTCP Level 2/Level 3 Criteria: Within the NTCP are specific criteria for installation of Level 2 and 3 measures. The full list is provided as Attachment 3 and below is a summary of key criteria:
• The street shall be a two-lane local residential street where the primary function is to provide access to abutting residences.
• The speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour or less.
• Traffic volumes shall be greater than 1,000 and less than 3,500 vehicles per day.
• 85th percentile speed exceeds 33 miles per hour on 25 mile per hour streets.
• Installation on a primary emergency response route and/or transit route is not permitted.
• Installation will not be permitted where substantial diversions of traffic to other local streets may occur, i.e. move the displaced traffic onto adjacent residential streets.
• At least 70 percent of the impacted residents shall support the installation.
• 100 percent of residents within 100 feet of the proposed device location shall support the installation.
• Speed hump installations have additional design criteria outlined in the NTCP (Attachment 4)
DISCUSSION
South of Forest Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study (Study)
Due to the size of the overall study area, staff documented existing land uses and the roadway network within the SOFN area to evaluate how traffic operates. Staff also reviewed historical resident concerns, service requests, prior roadway projects, and reported collision data for all twelve roadways within the SOFN. Traffic volume and speed data was collected in 2022 and analyzed against the NTCP requirements for Level 1, 2, or 3 traffic calming measures.
Based on the comprehensive review and analysis of this information, staff prepared a traffic engineering study for the SOFN which indicates that four of the 12 roadways within the SOFN met all or some of the NTCP eligibility criteria: Dorcich Street, Tyler Avenue, Cypress Avenue, and Harold Avenue. Of these four streets, only Harold Avenue met criteria for Level 2 and Level 3 traffic calming measures. A summary of the findings for each street and the City’s recommended improvements is shown in Table 1.
Table 1: SOFN Traffic Calming Study Findings and City Recommendations
|
Location |
Level of Traffic Calming Measure Allowed per NTCP |
Recommendation |
|
Dorcich St (Henry Ave - Winchester Blvd) |
Level 1 measures only (does not meet volume threshold for Level 2 or 3) |
Install vehicle speed feedback signs |
|
Tyler Ave (Forest Ave - Stevens Creek Blvd) |
Level 1 measures only (does not meet volume threshold for Level 2 or 3) |
Convert existing two-way stop to all-way stop at Tyler Ave/Cecil Ave intersection |
|
Cypress Ave (Forest Ave - Stevens Creek Blvd) |
Level 1 measures only (not eligible for Level 2 or 3 as this is an emergency response route) |
Install vehicle speed feedback signs |
|
Harold Ave (Forest Ave - Stevens Creek Blvd) |
Level 1, 2 and 3 measures allowed due to volume and speed data |
Install vehicle speed feedback signs and/or chokers* |
*A choker is a traffic calming measure designed to narrow a roadway through curb extensions or vertical plastic roadway posts with pavement striping. Chokers can be installed at an intersection or mid-block.
SOFN Community Meetings: Following the completion of data analysis, staff held two community meetings with SOFN residents to receive their direct input.
October 30, 2024 Community Meeting: The first community meeting was held virtually and in-person for SOFN residents to discuss the results of the neighborhood-wide traffic calming study and receive community input. Staff shared traffic data findings, roadway eligibility for NTCP measures, traffic calming measures available within the City’s NTCP, and recommendations for traffic calming measures and other safety improvements in the neighborhood. Some residents raised concerns that data collected in 2022 might not reflect current conditions due to past COVID-19 impacts on traffic patterns. Specifically, staff informed the community that Harold Avenue was eligible for Level 2 and/or Level 3 traffic calming measures.
February 27, 2025 Community Meeting: A second community meeting was held virtually and in-person for all SOFN residents to present and discuss sample illustrations of the recommended traffic calming measures for the SOFN that incorporated community feedback from the first meeting and updated 2024 traffic data. It is important to note that the 2024 traffic data was consistent with 2022 and did not affect any staff recommendations for traffic calming measures in the SOFN. Traffic volumes and speed along Harold Avenue are shown below in Table 2.
Table 2: Harold Avenue Data Collection Results
|
Year |
Direction of Travel |
Daily Volume (No. of Vehicles) |
85th Percentile Speed (mph) |
|
2022 |
Combined (NB+SB) |
1,018 |
33.2 |
|
|
NB Only |
577 |
31.9 |
|
|
SB Only |
441 |
34.8 |
|
2024 |
Combined (NB+SB) |
1,010 |
33.8 |
|
|
NB Only |
586 |
32.5 |
|
|
SB Only |
424 |
35.5 |
Residents and staff also engaged in more detailed discussions for each roadway and intersection, including installation requirements and materials to be used for various traffic calming measures. For Harold Avenue, the recommended traffic calming measures included vehicle speed feedback signs (Level 1 traffic calming measure) and/or chokers (a Level 2 traffic calming measure). Overall, residents were agreeable with the recommended measures but expressed a strong desire for speed humps on Harold Avenue, a Level 3 traffic calming measure.
Due to the strong community desire for speed humps on Harold Avenue in compliance with the NTCP, staff subsequently coordinated with the Fire Department to confirm that the installation of speed humps along Harold Avenue was acceptable. The Fire Department confirmed that the subject segment of Harold Avenue satisfies criteria for speed humps but noted that speed humps can increase police and fire 911 emergency response times to fires, emergency medical calls, rescues, acts of violence, civil unrest and any calls for public safety service. This potential service impact concern was included in documents provided to residents when voting on traffic calming measures.
Resident Survey for Harold Avenue: Following the second community meeting, staff sent surveys to residents of Harold Avenue to gauge the community’s position on three potential traffic calming measures: vehicle speed feedback signs, chokers, and speed humps. Although not initially recommended by staff, speed humps were added as a potential measure based on strong community interest. Staff mailed survey letters to residents in May 2025 with follow up letters sent to non-responsive properties in June and July 2025. In August 2025, staff conducted in-person outreach to non-responsive properties in an attempt to speak with residents directly and/or leave a survey letter at the property. Attachment 5 shows a sample of the survey letter that property owners and current occupants received. A summary of the final survey results is shown in Table 3.
Table 3: Harold Avenue Traffic Calming Survey Results
|
Response |
Vehicle Speed Feedback Signs (Level 1) |
Chokers (Level 2) |
Speed Humps (Level 3) |
|
Yes |
18 |
3 |
19 |
|
No |
3 |
16 |
1 |
|
Non-Responsive |
3 |
5 |
4 |
|
Total |
24 |
24 |
24 |
70 Percent Property Owner Concurrent Requirement: As noted earlier in this report, the NTCP requires concurrence from at least 70 percent of the properties that directly face the block under consideration for Level 2 and Level 3 measures.
Based on the survey results, speed humps received support from 19 of 24 properties (79 percent) which meets the 70 percent criteria. Chokers did not meet the 70 percent criteria with only 3 of 24 properties (12 percent) supporting the measure. Vehicle speed feedback signs, a Level 1 measure, received support from 18 of the 24 properties on Harold Avenue and may be considered if speed humps are not approved.
100 Percent Property Owner Concurrence Requirement: In addition to the 70 percent concurrent requirement discussed above, the NTCP also requires 100 percent concurrence from property owners within 100-feet of a specific Level 2 or Level 3 measure.
Based on the roadway characteristics of Harold Avenue, staff determined the installation of a maximum of two speed humps would be effective in reducing vehicle speeds. Staff then identified three possible candidate locations for the recommended two speed humps on Harold Avenue. The three locations are at 35 Harold Avenue (Location #1), 140 Harold Avenue (Location #2A), and 150 Harold Avenue (Location #2B). In July 2025, an additional survey letter and map of the three possible speed hump locations (Attachment 6) was distributed to and voted on by Harold Avenue residents located within 100-feet of the proposed locations to provide feedback on the three potential locations for the speed humps. A summary of the survey results is shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Survey Results Within 100 Feet of Potential Speed Hump Locations
|
Response |
Speed Hump #1 (35 Harold Ave) |
Speed Hump #2A (140 Harold Ave) |
Speed Hump #2B (150 Harold Ave) |
|
Yes |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
No |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Non-Responsive |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Based on the survey results, speed humps at any of the three proposed locations did not receive 100 percent concurrence.
October 23, 2025 Community Meeting (Harold Avenue Residents Only): Staff held a third community meeting virtually and in-person for residents of Harold Avenue to present the survey results, attempt to obtain 100 percent concurrence from property owners, and discuss next steps. Staff was unable to obtain 100 percent concurrence on any of the three proposed locations, so residents were informed that speed humps could not be approved based on the NTCP. Due to the strong community interest in speed humps on Harold Avenue, this item is being presented to Council for discussion.
Staff Recommendation: Based on the requirements of NTCP, traffic data analysis, and neighborhood feedback, staff recommends (1) waiving the 100 percent property owner concurrence requirement of the NTCP and (2) approving the installation of two speed humps on Harold Avenue at the following two locations: #1 at 35 Harold Avenue and #2A at 140 Harold Avenue.
These locations were selected as they meet NTCP placement criteria, provide effective spacing to reduce vehicle speeds along the corridor, and balance operational effectiveness with minimizing impacts to adjacent properties. Location #2A at 140 Harold Avenue is recommended instead of Location #2B at 150 Harold Avenue as this location offers more appropriate spacing between adjacent driveways and property lines and received greater overall community support.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities, as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of materials and labor for the installation of speed humps is anticipated to be $35,000 and will be funded by the Traffic Calming project (Santana West Settlement Agreement) in the Streets and Highways Capital Fund.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Police Department, Fire Department, Water & Sewer Utility Department, Finance Department, and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
For this study, staff conducted numerous public meetings, sent several community surveys to property owners in the SOFN, and established a project website. In regards to speed humps on Harold Avenue, staff send mailers to residents along Harold Avenue notifying them of this meeting.
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not approve the installation of speed humps on Harold Avenue, a Level 3 traffic calming measure, as concurrence from 100 percent of properties within 100 feet of the proposed devices is not met.
2. Waive the 100% concurrence requirement of the NTCP and allow the installation of two speed humps on Harold Avenue, one at location #1 at 35 Harold Avenue and one at location #2A at 140 Harold Avenue.
3. Any other action as directed by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 2: Waive the 100% concurrence requirement of the NTCP and allow the installation of two speed humps on Harold Avenue, one at location #1 at 35 Harold Avenue and one at location #2A at 140 Harold Avenue.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Project Location Map
2. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Guidelines
3. Criteria for Installation of Level 2 and Level 3 Devices
4. Additional Criteria - Installation of Speed Humps
5. Survey Letters to Residents of Harold Avenue
6. Map of Proposed Speed Humps Locations