Community Corner
You Ask, Patch Answers: Is Los Gatos' El Rancho Avenue Gate Private?
Do you have a question you would like us to research the answer for you? Ask away in the comments! We would love to help you out by getting you the right information!
You Ask ... Patch Answers,” is our Sunday feature where we strive to find answers to all your questions—big, small and in-between—about the town we live and work in.
Whether it’s something you’ve always wondered about, some information you just can’t put your hands on or a sudden curiosity, we want to hear it.
This week's question comes courtesy of Los Gatos Patch reader Dennis Jones who wrote: "Vasona Park has an exit called Pepper Tree Lane that exits on University Avenue. Across from that exit they have recently carved out the hillside and put in a retaining wall and sidewalks. I noticed they built stairs up to a locked gate that leads to a public street (El Rancho). I recently saw a couple walk up the stairs, unlock the gate, pass through and re lock it and walk on up the street. Is this a private gate on private property? If it is private, I would like to know who paid for the stairway that was installed when they put in the retaining wall. If the gate and path are public, I'd like to know how to get a key. I live nearby and that shortcut would save me about half mile walking to get to the park. Are the people on El Rancho getting special perks that other citizens are not?"
To get an answer for Jones, we contacted Town of Los Gatos engineer and Assistant Director to the Parks and Public Works Department Kevin Rohani, who answered the following:
"The construction of the sidewalks and roadway improvements along University Avenue was performed by the Town of Los Gatos as part of our capital improvement program.
"The fence and gate you referred to is in the City of Monte Sereno along with El Rancho Avenue. The town/city limit line is along the sidewalk on University Avenue.
"It is our understanding that this gate and fence is private and locked and only the residents who are part of the private easement have key to the gate.
"There was some old steps towards the back of sidewalk on University Avenue that had been damaged over the years and we replaced them as part of our project since our new construction had to conform to existing features and topography.
"I do not have detail information as who are the parties that have rights to the private easement, gate, lock, and have key to it."
To get an answer for Jones, we contacted Town of Los Gatos engineer and Assistant Director to the Parks and Public Works Department Kevin Rohani, who answered the following:
"The construction of the sidewalks and roadway improvements along University Avenue was performed by the Town of Los Gatos as part of our capital improvement program.
"The fence and gate you referred to is in the City of Monte Sereno along with El Rancho Avenue. The town/city limit line is along the sidewalk on University Avenue.
"It is our understanding that this gate and fence is private and locked and only the residents who are part of the private easement have key to the gate.
"There was some old steps towards the back of sidewalk on University Avenue that had been damaged over the years and we replaced them as part of our project since our new construction had to conform to existing features and topography.
"I do not have detail information as who are the parties that have rights to the private easement, gate, lock, and have key to it."
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