Residents Like Living In Foster City, Survey Says

A consultant hired by Foster City found residents generally feel their hometown offers a higher quality standard of living, according to a report discussed last night.

The Foster City Planning Commission discussed in Council Chambers a report done by the Metropolitan Planning Group that surveyed residents regarding their perception of a variety of quality of life elements in Foster City.

The survey assessed what residents identified as the strengths and weaknesses of living in Foster City, as well what are some of the threats that could decrease the quality of life and the opportunities to improve upon it.

"Compared to other communities, people's perception of Foster City is pretty high," said Matthew Gardiner, who presented the survey results for the Mountain View-based consulting firm.

Residents who participated in the survey and subsequent focus groups identified safe neighborhoods and streets, proximity to quality jobs, high performing public schools and an attractive natural setting as some of the elements that make Foster City a desirable place to live.

Alternatively, those surveyed found some of the weaknesses are the high cost of housing in Foster City, as well as a lack of quality restaurants and quality retail outlets.

But upon further review, Gardiner said those who wished there were more quality shops and restaurants within the city limits also admitted such amenities are easily accessible in the region by traveling the relatively short distance to San Mateo, or surrounding cities.

And Community Development Director Richard Marks said the housing prices could be seen as a "conundrum," that is experienced in communities throughout the Bay Area.

He said that Foster City could see a drop in home values should it allow low quality and unattractive developments, which would upset homeowners. But if the home prices maintain their high value, then people perceive Foster City as being too expensive.

"You are damned if you do, and damned if you don't," said Marks, to characterize the local housing market prices.

Planning Commissioner Ron Cox agreed with Marks.

Cox said residents wanted home values to stay high during a depressed housing market. But now, as the economy begins to recover, people take issue with the city's purchase prices.

He also said that there are those in Foster City who support the expensive housing price, because it maintains their own home value.

"In reality, if you ask a lot of our residents, a lot will say it is great," said Cox.

According to the consultant's research, housing prices in Foster City remained relatively high throughout the recession, as compared to neighboring communities.

The most recent information available showed the average value for a single family home in Foster City is around $960,000 and about $589,000 for a condominium, according to Gardner.

"It's a strength for property values, but affordability is a long term concern," he said.

Gardner said the property value issue is especially relevant to people who wish to move into Foster City, but may not be able to afford the relatively expensive purchase price.

Marks said the city can combat the issue while maintaining its high standard for development in the city by pricing a portion of each housing project at an affordable cost.

"When we can build affordable housing, we need to take advantage," said Marks.

Residents surveyed did express concern about overcrowding in schools, and identified it as a weakness of Foster City.

The issue of school overcrowding is especially relevant as the San Mateo-Foster City School District is preparing to float a bond measure on the November ballot specifically to Foster City residents with the intention of using the revenue to build a fourth elementary school in the city limits.

Demographics studies done by consultants hired by the school district project that enrollment of elementary schools in Foster City will likely increase significantly in the near future, making it necessary to build a new campus.

According to school district officials, the bond would tax Foster City residents $19 per each $100,000 of their appraised home value. If approved by voters, the bond could generate $25 million for the new school's construction.

Per the concern expressed by residents, the consultants recommended the city government consider approving policies that encourage the redevelopment of school sites in order to accommodate enrollment demands.

Planning Commissioner Bob Werden took issue with the recommendation, and said instead that the city should stay away from the affairs of the education system.

"I just don't want us to get involved in the school district," said Werden, of the city's policy.

But Cox disagreed with Werden's recommendation, and said that though the city government should not tell the school district how to manage its finances, the two entities should have a collaborative relationship.

Cox said property value is often dependent on how well a city's school perform, so it is in the best interest of a city government to be accommodating to school districts.

The consultant presented information showing the district's scores on the Academic Performance Index are the highest in the region.

The next step in the process of reviewing this report for the commission is to have a more in-depth discussion regarding how the findings should factor into forming city planning policy.