[Goose]

With Simitian off the Board of Supervisors next year, Stanford will have a new opportunity to negotiate a workable deal.  It’s not clear if his replacement will take a more reasonable stance, but they will have less political clout.  I think Stanford felt it would be better off waiting until Simitian was gone.

You may be correct that Stanford felt it would be better off with Simitian gone, but IMO Stanford is still in real trouble with the surrounding jurisdictions. COVID-19 greatly reduced the local traffic problems, but as those who live in the area can tell you, they are coming back with a vengeance. Stanford has greatly increased the size of its non-academic staff. This has been discussed repeatedly on this board. Much of that staff is associated with the hospital. All of that staff commutes and at least some of that staff puts significant pressure on local housing prices and local services. This generates no sympathy from the nearby communities.

During the Hennessy administration Stanford basically did whatever it wanted without regard to the PR aspects of these operations. They had a GUP and it was interpreted by Stanford as carte blanche to build like mad. The basic vibe was "We don't care what you think. We believe the GUP allows us to do this, so we will. If you want to argue about traffic effects, that is covered in the plan and we can litigate that if you want". It was not a "good neighbor" relationship and it won't quickly return to one. FWIW this situation is exacerbated by Stanford Medicine's ever-growing presence in the local community. While one might believe making available more good medical care is a "good thing", it creates the impression that Stanford is "taking over" even more from local jurisdictions. Stanford buying Notre Dame in Belmont is another example of the "Stanford is everywhere and all-powerful" concern that the public and their representatives feel.

It may well be true that Stanford buying Notre Dame was the best possible outcome for the school, but that doesn't mean everybody is happy about that outcome. Gown and town is always a fraught relationship. It is political, and Stanford needs to realize that and act accordingly. It is even more fraught when the actions are not clearly and obviously related to academic pursuits. IMO Stanford needs to spend a lot more effort on it's image in the community. It may have to forgo some actions that are arguably "legal" in order to work cooperatively with local governments. That is part of the "cost of doing business". Things will not always be amicable between the parties, but allowing things to degenerate as far as the have is IMO a big problem.

[Goose]

With Simitian off the Board of Supervisors next year, Stanford will have a new opportunity to negotiate a workable deal.  It’s not clear if his replacement will take a more reasonable stance, but they will have less political clout.  I think Stanford felt it would be better off waiting until Simitian was gone.

You may be correct that Stanford felt it would be better off with Simitian gone, but IMO Stanford is still in real trouble with the surrounding jurisdictions. COVID-19 greatly reduced the local traffic problems, but as those who live in the area can tell you, they are coming back with a vengeance. Stanford has greatly increased the size of its non-academic staff. This has been discussed repeatedly on this board. Much of that staff is associated with the hospital. All of that staff commutes and at least some of that staff puts significant pressure on local housing prices and local services. This generates no sympathy from the nearby communities.

During the Hennessy administration Stanford basically did whatever it wanted without regard to the PR aspects of these operations. They had a GUP and it was interpreted by Stanford as carte blanche to build like mad. The basic vibe was "We don't care what you think. We believe the GUP allows us to do this, so we will. If you want to argue about traffic effects, that is covered in the plan and we can litigate that if you want". It was not a "good neighbor" relationship and it won't quickly return to one. FWIW this situation is exacerbated by Stanford Medicine's ever-growing presence in the local community. While one might believe making available more good medical care is a "good thing", it creates the impression that Stanford is "taking over" even more from local jurisdictions. Stanford buying Notre Dame in Belmont is another example of the "Stanford is everywhere and all-powerful" concern that the public and their representatives feel.

It may well be true that Stanford buying Notre Dame was the best possible outcome for the school, but that doesn't mean everybody is happy about that outcome. Gown and town is always a fraught relationship. It is political, and Stanford needs to realize that and act accordingly. It is even more fraught when the actions are not clearly and obviously related to academic pursuits. IMO Stanford needs to spend a lot more effort on it's image in the community. It may have to forgo some actions that are arguably "legal" in order to work cooperatively with local governments. That is part of the "cost of doing business". Things will not always be amicable between the parties, but allowing things to degenerate as far as the have is IMO a big problem.