HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 26 2026 - Public Comment - Las Animas Elementary- Traffic Survey and Action - Grace VelasquezCAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening
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From:Grace Velasquez
To:Engineering Counter; Nisha Patel; Julie Oates; John Doughty; Mayor Greg Bozzo; Council Member Carol Marques;
Public Comments; Council Member Dion Bracco; Council Member Tom Cline; terrence.fugazzi@cityofgilroy.org;
Council Member Zachary Hilton; Council Member Kelly Ramirez; glenloma@helsig.com
Subject:EXTERNAL - Las Animas Elementary- Traffic Survey and Action
Date:Saturday, January 17, 2026 10:20:54 AM
Dear City of Gilroy Public Works Department,
Traffic Engineering Division,
City Council Members &
Glen Loma Ranch HOA:
I am writing as a deeply concerned resident regarding the tragic and heartbreaking accident
that occurred at the intersection of Charles Lux Drive and Lopez Way, near Las Animas
Elementary School and Cydney Casper Park.
This intersection sits in the heart of a large, family oriented community. It is an area that
experiences an influx of traffic and pedestrian activity where parents and grandparents walk
their children and grandchildren to and from school, families with babies in strollers, people
walking their dogs, runners using the nearby trails, and neighbors out from early morning until
late at night walks. This neighborhood has always been known as a safe place to live, walk,
and raise our children, which makes this loss even more devastating.
The recent collision involving two pedestrians has shaken our community to its core. One life
was tragically lost at the scene, and another individual remains in critical condition, fighting
for their life. In an instant, a family was forever changed, and a teenager's life was altered
beyond measure all in our own backyard. This tragedy is especially painful because it
occurred in an area where families should feel protected and where children and families walk
daily. Many of us are struggling to process that something like this could happen here, and we
cannot accept the possibility of it ever happening again!
In light of the recent tragic traffic incident in the Glen Loma Ranch community, residents
respectfully request a review of current traffic safety conditions in this area. This location is
frequently used by pedestrians, including families walking children to school, residents
accessing nearby parks, and community members walking or running daily.
We are petitioning for the consideration and installation of additional traffic-calming and
pedestrian-safety measures, including speed bumps, a four-way stop, clearly marked
crosswalks, and pedestrian crosswalks with flashing warning lights, particularly at
intersections with limited visibility.
These improvements would help reduce vehicle speeds, increase driver awareness, and
enhance safety for all residents. We urge the City of Gilroy and the Glen Loma Ranch HOA to
prioritize this request to help prevent future tragedies.
We are respectfully but urgently requesting that the City of Gilroy and the HOA of Glen Loma
Ranch take immediate action to improve safety at this location with the actions, but not limited
to:
• Installing a four-way stop at the intersection of Charles Lux Drive and Lopez Way
•installation of K rails to improve delineation between vehicle traffic and pedestrians
• Adding clearly marked crosswalks on all four sides of the intersection
• Installing pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk lights
• Implementing traffic calming measures, including speed bumps along Charles Lux Drive,
particularly in the direction of the school and throughout the surrounding neighborhood
• Conducting a speed and traffic safety study to support these changes
This tragedy feels unnecessary and preventable, and our community is hurting. We are asking
the City to hear our cry and help us ensure that no other family experiences this kind of loss.
Safety measures like these save lives, especially in residential areas near schools and parks.
Thank you for your time, attention, and commitment to public safety. We are eager to work
collaboratively with the City and HOA and would appreciate guidance on next steps,
timelines, or meetings needed to move this request forward.
Sincerely,
Grace Hernandez
Las Animas mom
Las Animas Parent Club Board Member