The potential financial benefits to the City of Belmont, the possibility of the creation of 200 construction jobs, and the projection of a boost to the local economy, all proved to be influencing factors in the show support by Belmont residents for the Crystal Springs Uplands School proposed project.
In a September telephone survey conducted by Godbe Research, 62 percent of those surveyed said they either strongly or somewhat supported the construction of the new middle school on Davis Drive; 26 percent strongly or somewhat opposed the project, and 24 percent responded "mixed opinion or don't know."
The 17-minute survey was conducted using 401 respondents who are registered voters. According to Bryan Godbe, president of Godbe Research, registered voters are selected for surveys because they typically represent people in the community who are engaged and care about local issues.
Respondents were asked to rank various features of the development project--both positive and negative.
The biggest positive influencing factor was the statement that CSUS will provide $150,000 more to the city than the current warehouse and office building that occupies the Davis Drive site. (74 percent said they were more likely to support the project based on this.)
Godbe pointed out that of all the influencing supporting statements, the one that ranked the lowest, (CSUS is committed to diversity amongst its students), still had the support of a simple majority (52 percent). Overall, the project received a 62 percent show of support.
"62 percent is a very strong place to be," said Godbe.
Of the negative influencing factors, traffic ranked the highest.
According to David Bowlby of The Bowlby Group, CSUS has offered to sit down individually with the Belmont city councilmembers and the pollster to present the results.
"We are pleased to see that the Belmont community overwhelmingly supports our project," said CSUS board member Jill Grossman.
The Belmont City Council will consider the General Plan Amendment, Planned Development Rezoning, and Conceptual Development Plan for CSUS at its Oct. 23 meeting.
Yes, there will be issues with traffic and there may even be some noise relating to kids enjoying themselves at school (the horror!), but clearly the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I'm sure mitigation plans can be drawn up that help minimize the issues as well. I wonder if the people in opposition have a predilection for opposition. Let's let Belmont take another small step forward in a great direction.
In addition, I work in the financial district in San Francisco and usually begin the commute after completion of the above-described school dropoff. If I leave my house at 8:30 a.m., and drive up Ralston to 92 and then 280, I'm parked in my garage north of Market Street 45 minutes later. The above are facts. My opinion is that this is traffic that I can tolerate. I recognize that others may view this differently. That does not impact my support of building the school.
Thanks for clarifying the 62% figure. Do you know if the topline results or other summary of this survey have been provided? It would be great to see the questions asked and individual tabulated results themselves. BTW: Go Giants.
Assuming CSUS has spent over $1 million on this proposal to-date, it would make sense for CSUS to improve the terms of their offer to Belmont. My guess is, on October 23, City Council will voice their remaining concerns (traffic, money, etc.) and ask CSUS to come back one final time to mitigate the issues.
Having said that, I do not support the working attitude of Coralin in this matter. When you levy too much ego into anything, judgement will be compromised. As a wise woman said before, don't confuse leadership with stubbornness.
I understand your frustration, but don’t give up on our current Council too fast. I believe the Mayor is still making up his mind and he has shown the potential for significant leadership in the past. I have a sense that he is more forward-thinking than some others on the Council and possibly not as beholden to some interest groups. We may still get the right decision for Belmont. And, if not, all the great connections that have been made among the citizens of Belmont over the past few months are the perfect start to a new, grass-roots movement for change next November.
Belmont has a traffic problem without increased occupancy of Davis Drive. CSUS would be the least problematic as far as increasing traffic. Let's not transfer the existing problems to the prospective occupants unless you want the site to remain vacant.