Private Road Survey

 

At the September 24, 2025 Infrastructure Subcommittee meeting, the results of the survey of private street residents was released.

 

The survey firm, FM3, presented a 36-page summary of the results.

 

473 people responded to the survey

 

43% of the respondents believe that private roads are in worse condition than public roads.  However, the reality is that, excluding the 6.7 miles (23% of all private roads) with a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) below 50 (roads in poor condition), the average PCI of the majority of private roads is 77, just marginally below the average 82-PCI of publicly maintained residential streets and ten points above the average for the entire Bay Area (67).

 

74% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current “arrangement” for their private street maintenance.

 

Most (59%) were “uncomfortable” with owning a home on a privately maintained road.

 

Specifically, what they were dissatisfied or “uncomfortable” with included:

          We pay taxes but receive no help (31%)

          Costly to maintain (24%)

          Unfair - others use the road but we pay (19%)

          Oppose private roads; should be city-owned (16%)

          Used by the public; not truly private (13%)

 

A strong majority supports the City taking over the responsibility of maintaining private roads. (86%)

 

85% support having the City assume full ownership of private roads, including full financial responsibility and legal liability.

 

52% would also support having the City assume full financial responsibility for maintaining private roads, while ownership and legal liability would remain with homeowners.

 

However, when asked what they MOST preferred, 70% said full city ownership with only 10% choosing just the financial responsibility of maintenance.  However, it was not explained that the maintenance-only option, like the agreement which has been in place for 30 years with three streets owned by Orindawoods, would allow the owners to revert back to full private status if they were unhappy with the maintenance provided by the city or if they wanted to close off the road from public access.)