In its effort to divert employees of downtown merchants away from parking spots on main streets to plentiful options nearby, Los Gatos has been considering rule updates. And that includes charging in some locations.
When confronted with two wayfinding and parking sign concepts, March 15, the Town Council decided unanimously on the one with the square motif, rather than a curved style described as “softer” and “more elegant” by a council member.
But the feelings weren’t strong either way.
“I thought they were a little more—almost intentional,” Mayor Rob Rennie had said about the curved concept he ultimately voted against when reminded the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce preferred the more angular style. “A square sign sometimes looks like it’s been slapped up.”
Vice Mayor Maria Ristow had originally been on board with the square signs Town Parking Project Manager Jim Renelle characterized as more “modern,” although she’d been happy to go along with Councilmember Marico Sayoc’s motion to select the curved design.
In his report, Renelle said staff were seeking direction on a parking program where downtown spots are free for three hours and then $1 for each hour afterwards—up to $8 for an entire day.
He said the wayfinding and parking concepts were meant to work as “families of signage” allowing pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users to have an optimal experience downtown.
Meanwhile, more than 800 employees and business owners had applied for the parking permits that—at least in the trial phase—will be free.
Staff proposed initially giving out 500 permits.
But the employees will have to park in stalls that aren’t in prime locations along routes such as N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street.
However, staff tempered the fiscal aspirations of Council, noting they expect introducing paid parking will only generate $50,000-$100,000 a year.
Ristow noted that an $8 daily rate might not make sense, if the first three hours are free, since someone who parked at 9am would only have to put $6 in, if paying by the hour.
Town Manager Laurel Prevetti noted Council had already budgeted $200,000 for a parking study that can be used to cover capital costs for this project.
During public comment period, Democracy Tent facilitator Lee Fagot said he believes the initiative is an urgent one—but he had a few suggestions.
“The signs are a bit cluttered,” he said. “I only saw the ‘P’ in one of them.”
He proposed putting a “P” on both sides.
Later, a consultant clarified that some signs only have the “P” on one side, because they are directional signs for drivers, and would have an interesting design on the back, instead.
It was Catherine Somers, the Chamber’s executive director, who swayed the Council on the design decision. She noted merchants preferred the square design, although she didn’t say why.
She also suggested people who stay longer than three hours should have to pay more than $1 an hour.
And Council took this suggestion to heart, too, voting unanimously—on a motion from Rennie—to go with a $2.50 an hour charge after offering three hours free of charge.
