“So much for rural Bainbridge Island.Perceptions of the island landscape may be changing, but queasiness over growth isn’t, according to the results of a community values survey released by the city this week.I guess it’s notable in its lack of surprises, said Marti Stave, long-range planner for the city. People don’t feel any different about growth than they did (eight years ago) – they don’t like it.The survey, one of the first steps in the mandatory five-year review of the Bainbridge Island Comprehensive Plan, suggests that islanders support the same land-use policy goals that drove the plan the first time around – clustered development, preservation of the natural landscape, and rural-looking roads that maintain at least the illusion of a community of wooded idyll.METHODOLOGY AND DEMOGRAPHICSThe community values survey was conducted over a two-week period in May by Pacific Rim Resources of Portland, Ore., – the same outfit the city used for 1992 values survey that kicked off development of the island’s comprehensive plan.The scientific poll saw about 2,500 island households contacted, with 406 agreeing to complete the survey. Statistically, Pacific Rim pollsters said, the results show accuracy within plus-minus 4.79 percentage points – meaning it is 95 percent likely the results would have been the same if every island household had participated.Of those surveyed, 57 percent were female, 43 percent male. Among the simple demographic data gathered:Education: Islanders are a well-educated lot. But the survey suggests that local education levels may be climbing even higher than those reported in the 1990 census.Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed in May reported holding four-year college degrees, compared to about 30 percent in the last census. And more than 35 percent reported holding advanced degrees or legal or medical certification, compared to 18 percent a decade ago.Less than 9 percent reported having a high school diploma only (7.6 percent), or less than a completed high-school education (1 percent).Employment: Commuting remains the popular choice for professional employment. Forty-one percent of respondents said they work in downtown Seattle, consistent with numerous earlier surveys. Another 34 percent work on Bainbridge Island, 17 percent in Kitsap County, and the balance elsewhere.Transportation: Getting to work by single-occupant vehicle was the overwhelming finding here, as 51 percent of respondents said they drive themselves to work, and 30 percent said they ride the ferry. Just under 7 percent said they ride bicycles or walk to work, less than 6 percent said they use public buses or vans, and just 3.5 percent carpool.Income: Twenty-three percent of respondents reported having annual household incomes of more than $100,000, with another 46 percent in the $50,000 to $100,000 range. Less than four percent reported having incomes of under $25,000.ISLAND CHARACTERThe overwhelming majority of survey respondents (63 percent) described the island’s character as rural changing to suburban, with 27 percent saying it already is suburban. In the 1992 values survey, given only the choice of rural or not rural, 77 percent characterized the island as rural.Respondents said the island’s character is most defined by forested lands and other open spaces, and a general lack of commercial development. Only 8 percent said farmland contributed to island character.I think people are getting a more realistic view of where we’re at, Stave said. It really was rural back then, and it’s not now. The people who move here really understand that we’re a city.Forty-two percent also said they valued the island’s sense of community, up from 32 percent in 1992. Other valued characteristics – open natural spaces, diversity of population, small-scale development – showed little change from 1992.Common concerns included loss of open space, traffic congestion and urban sprawl, with results all unchanged from 1992. Asked which issues they are least concerned about, the overwhelming majority said reduced economic opportunity. GROWTHIslanders are split on growth, at least that which has already occurred.The survey showed that about 51 percent of respondents had a favorable perception of past growth, and 49 percent a negative perception.But they were clear in their support of policies to mitigate the impacts of future development.Asked whether they favor strongly, favor somewhat, oppose somewhat, oppose strongly or simply don’t know, respondents overwhelmingly supported preservation of Bainbridge Island’s environmentally sensitive areas. Eighty-nine percent of respondents indicated they favor the issue strongly or somewhat, compared to 8 percent showing varying degrees of opposition and 2 percent with no opinion.Other planning goals showing strong/somewhat support included preservation of agricultural lands (96 percent), development of bike trails/lanes (88 percent), increase transit service (83 percent), increase public access to shorelines (74 percent), development of pedestrian trails/sidewalks (79 percent), and development of public parks and recreation areas (72 percent).Earning the strongest opposition were expanding island roadways (55 percent) and developing an island-wide water (52 percent) and sewer (49 percent) system.Respondents who registered favorable responses were then asked whether they would support a tax increase to pay for improvements or new programs. Of 12 issues raised, all but two – affordable housing and increasing the number of park and ride lots – received better than 50 percent support. Six issues, including bike trails/lanes, new parks/recreation areas, pedestrian trails/sidewalks, expanding lanes, protection of sensitive areas and increasing transit service earned support of 2-1 or better.But factoring in those who don’t support the issues at all, tax hikes were supported only for bike lanes and trails, protecting sensitive areas, increasing transit and development pedestrian trails and sidewalks.The split on the perception of development that has already occurred may suggest the realization by newer islanders – of which, after half a decade of furious construction, there are many – that they themselves personify growth.(‘Growth’) has become a catch-all phrase for ‘my neighbor cut down his trees,’ ‘there are three more cars on my street than there used to be,’ or ‘it takes me longer to get through the check-out line than it used to,’ Stave said. Change is what it is. People don’t like change. It scares them.SPLITSPerhaps predictably, the survey revealed a certain attitude split between newer residents and those who have lived on the island for some time.For example, exactly 50 percent of residents living here five years or less said the island population should include a mix of incomes, compared to 62-63 percent of those who have lived here more than six years.Newer residents were more likely to support commercial development like that on Winslow Way, while long-timers were more supportive of the Village shopping area on High School Road.Newer residents also were strongly supportive of limiting light manufacturing expansion, and rated creation of new jobs as a low priority. Conversely, long-time residents were less hostile to new LM uses, and were more supportive of job development.Those results were mirrored by income level; households reporting an income of $75,000 per year or more were generally less concerned with promoting job development, new manufacturing uses or diversity of income, compared to those of lesser household means.Respondents were, though, in general agreement about maintaining current road standards, regardless of length of residency or income level. Across the board, support for building straighter, wider roads hit only 16 percent, while maintaining narrow, winding roads flanked by heavy vegetation saw 80 percent support.The survey also found certain generational and gender splits, including: * Men were slightly more likely than women to favor the expansion of roadways and parks, but less likely to support affordable housing and farm preservation.* Older residents were slightly less likely to support increased shoreline access, pedestrian trails, bike trails and affordable housing, but more likely to support an island-wide sewer system.The document is available for review at city hall. Summaries of the survey results are available free of charge; the complete document, about 30 pages, will cost around $4.50. Finding will be presented to the city council at its July 26 meeting, preceded by an open house.”