Netflix Developer: Survey Supports New Headquarters

The proposed Netflix headquarters at the intersection of Albright Way and Winchester Boulevard enjoys "overwhelming" support from town residents, according to a survey conducted by the research firm of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates or FM3.

FM3 was hired to do the survey by the owners of the Los Gatos Business Park, LLC, who own the 21 acres of land where the new headquarters would be built.

According to a press release issued Friday afternoon by Los Gatos Business Park, claiming the town failed to conduct an environmental impact report on the project.

Survey results showed that of 402 Los Gatos respondents, 79 percent support the project and want it built, the release stated.

The survey base included families with school-aged children who would benefit from the project's tax contribution to schools, and an even larger number of families without school aged children, the release added.

A total of 74 percent of respondents said things in Los Gatos are generally headed in the right direction and 4 percent had a "very unfavorable view of Netflix."

"The survey reveals a broad, deep, and strongly-held community consensus in Los Gatos in support of the new Netflix headquarters,” said David Metz of FM3. “Opposition to the project comes only from a very small minority of town voters.”

According to the release the project will bring substantial benefits to the town, including $2 million in revenue at completion for vital town services and local schools.

“We are happy this survey confirms what we heard from the community during the long entitlement process and continue to believe the Council’s decision to approve the project and keep Netflix in Los Gatos is the right one for the Town’s future,” said developer John R. Shenk, who is Los Gatos Business Park owners' representative. “It is very clear that the few who are suing to kill Netflix’s expansion plans in Los Gatos do not speak for the vast majority of town residents.”

the demolishing of five existing buildings on the 21-acre property located at the corner of Winchester Boulevard and Albright Way. The site is being considered to allow Netflix's to expand in the future.

Los Gatos Mayor Joe Pirzynski, Vice Mayor Steve Rice and Councilwoman Diane McNutt voted in favor, while Councilwoman Barbara Spector and Councilman Steve Leonardis voted against.

The lawsuit's major complaint is that the town issued a so-called mitigated negative declaration of environmental impacts without conducting an environmental impact report. 

Attorney Rachel Mansfield-Howlett said the project is large enough and has so many potential impacts that an in-depth environmental report was required.

"The negative declaration is only appropriate when the town can say absolutely no impacts would result. It's the lowest level of review. Any time there's substantial evidence that there may be an impact ... then the town must require that an EIR to be prepared.

"We're not asking to stop the project, we just want the appropriate level of environmental review to be conducted," Mansfield-Howlett said in September when the suit was filed.