Sept. 17 public meeting and hearing will be held in a hybrid format, public comment will be accepted

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a public meeting followed by a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. to A) authorize text amendments to the Land Use Code related to Article 4-800, Site Plan Review (SPR) and B) consider a temporary moratorium on Boulder County’s processing of SPR applications. Public testimony will be taken on the temporary moratorium.

View the BOCC Authorization Memo to Make Amendments to the SPR Regulations and the SPR Temporary Moratorium Memo and Draft Moratorium Resolution.

Note: The Boulder County Land Use Code applies to all land within the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not in cities or towns like Boulder or Louisville.

What: Boulder County Board of County Commissioners’ public meeting and public hearing regarding the authorization of text amendments to Article 4-800, Site Plan Review, of the Boulder County Land Use Code and a temporary moratorium on SPR applications with a proposed size over the median Residential Floor Area for a neighborhood.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, starting at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Commissioners’ public hearings and meetings are offered in a hybrid format where attendees can join through Zoom or in-person at the Boulder County Courthouse, 3rd Floor, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder. View information on how to attend or participate online.

Background

Due to concerns about the impact of increasing house sizes in unincorporated Boulder County on sustainability and assessed values, the Board will consider changes to the Site Plan Review regulations to help address neighborhood character, sustainability, and affordability. Pending these regulation changes, the BOCC will consider enacting a moratorium on Boulder County’s processing of new SPR applications with a proposed size over the median Residential Floor Area for a defined neighborhood in unincorporated Boulder County. Currently, the Land Use Code allows residential development up to 125% of the median residential floor area for a defined neighborhood and, in some cases, development over this presumed size limitation.

The temporary moratorium will provide for certain limited exceptions, to include allowing applicants who are already in the process to continue their review and permitting property owners to rebuild a residential structure that has been damaged or destroyed by causes outside of their control. The moratorium will remain in effect while staff update the existing SPR regulations. Public comment and testimony regarding the temporary moratorium will be taken at the Sept. 17 hearing. Based on the information presented by staff and public testimony, the BOCC will determine whether to enact a temporary moratorium while staff pursue amendments to the Land Use Code, if authorized.

Submit Comments or Contact Staff

Written comments may be submitted to Ethan Abner at longrange@bouldercounty.gov or mailed to the Boulder County Commissioners’ Office, P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16 to be considered by the Board of County Commissioners prior to the public hearing. View Public Comments on the Proposed SPR Moratorium.

Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. To request an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accommodation, please email ada@bouldercounty.gov, or call 303-441-1386. Submit your request as early as possible, and no later than two business days before the event. If you need help in another language, please email CPPfrontdesk@bouldercounty.gov or call 303-441-3930. Contact us as early as possible, and no later than three business days before the event.

Please note that the County Commissioners' agenda is subject to change. To receive updates to the agenda, please subscribe to the Boulder County Commissioners Agenda list.