Regional Op-Ed | Kathryn Gray: Solidarity On The Summit
On Saturday, November 3, Dr Amelia Caine of Godbe Research released the results of the Donner Summit Area Association's Visioning and Planning Resident Survey to a large group assembled at Sugar Bowl's Village Hall. She discussed the implications of the study, and answered questions. The slides, graphs, charts, and entire survey results will be posted on DSAA's webpage.
The survey, conducted in early fall, had a return rate of 35%, which is considered extremely high, and the sample group was large compared to those used by polling groups such as Gallup polls when they conduct nation-wide surveys. More importantly, the sample was deemed very representative, as across the entire Donner Summit area, and amongst all cohorts, results were consistent.
What emerged was a picture of a community very satisfied with the quality of life at the summit--compared to other regions Godbe research has studied, Donner Summit places in the top 10 percent of those surveyed. When asked to single out the one thing they liked most about Donner Summit area, respondents honed in on Natural Environment (55%), Outdoor Activities (19%), and Rural Atmosphere (13%).
Approximately two-thirds of respondents identified Regulating growth and development as the most important issue confronting Donner Summit in the next 5 years. Another 19% chose Protecting the environment as the single most important issue. When queried about the rate of population growth on the Summit, 46% thought it was growing too rapidly, 45% thought it was growing at the right pace, and a miniscule 3% voted for too slow a pace. Godbe Research commented on this, "These results, as well as others throughout the survey, suggest that the Donner Summit Community has a negative opinion of population growth and development, and they are concerned about the impact that it may have on the environment and the features they value about the area."
Respondents to the questionnaire, when asked questions concerning development, showed the strongest support for Prioritizing environmental preservation, and the strongest opposition to high density housing projects, such as condominiums, fractional ownership units, and time-shares. Restriction of commercial development, and residential development were supported; additional alpine ski-lifts, recreational businesses, and resort-style developments were opposed.
Dr. Caine commented that the importance of the natural environment and the outdoors was paramount to the entire community, and that Godbe very rarely sees the amount of consensus exhibited by the Donner Summit Area community. She characterized the Summit as very strongly growth averse, because of concerns evinced for protecting the natural environment. She also highlighted Summit residents' support of public transit, and basic services such as roads and emergency services.
Area residents are eager to build on this consensus, and have a voice in guiding development on Donner Summit. To that end, Donner Summit Area Association will be hosting the second "Summit Summit" on December 15. The purpose of this meeting is the development of guiding planning principles as a step towards developing a Community/Area Plan for the Summit. Details should be available soon on their website.
Kathryn Gray hopes all of the Summit will work together to preserve our wonderful environment.
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