Palo Alto authorizes first poll for Cubberley Master Plan; FM3 to survey likely November 2026 voters

The council authorized staff and pollster FM3 to conduct the first of three planned public opinion polls to inform the Cubberley Master Plan and potential November 2026 ballot placement.

The poll framework presented on April 21 asks registered likely voters about overall priorities (e.g., community gathering space, open green space, senior programs, childcare), preferred program elements (indoor and outdoor), and preliminary willingness to pay at multiple price points. "We'll draw a random sample of Palo Alto registered voters from the voter file who based on their past voting behavior are considered likely to cast ballots in November," FM3 president Dave Metz told council; outreach will combine email/text invitations and phone calls to landlines and cell phones.

Staff said the poll will launch April 28, with results provided to council in mid‑May and presented on June 9. The results will be used, together with community meeting input and the 2019 master plan data, to develop three conceptual plans for Cubberley that will be shown at the next community meeting. City staff said community outreach between now and June will include an online comment card, tabling at city events, utility bill inserts, and volunteer "Cubberley Fellows" who will help spread the word.

Councilmembers pressed staff and FM3 on methodology and content. Councilmember Lythcott Haines, chair of the Cubberley ad hoc, requested geographic slicing of poll responses (quartiles or precincts) so the city can see whether priorities differ by neighborhood; FM3 confirmed the sample will include addresses so geographic analysis is possible within sample-size limits.

Several speakers from community groups urged that planning preserve the pavilion features (acoustics, dimmable lighting, dedicated entrance and storage) used by long-term Pavilion users such as ballroom dancers, and requested continuity-of-use plans during any construction. Staff said community activation events and "site activation" (e.g., temporary programming, murals, movie nights) are being planned to build public engagement.

By the end of the discussion the council voted to proceed with the poll as presented and to let FM3 and staff finalize the questionnaire and outreach. If the city moves toward a ballot measure, FM3 expects a second poll to test complete proposals with price tags, followed by a final pre‑ballot poll if council decides to place a measure on November 2026.