The Boulder County Comprehensive Plan Housing & Economics Update was approved by the Planning Commission on October 16, 2019
View or download Resolution PC-2019-02
Past Public Meetings, Hearings and Open Houses
Planning Commission Public Hearing, October 16, 2019
Staff presented the updated Housing and Economics Elements to Planning Commission with a recommendation for approval. After discussion and deliberation, the Planning Commission approved Dockets BCCP-18-0004 and BCCP-18-0005.
Documents: Staff report for Oct. 16, 2019
Joint Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission Study Session, May 30, 2019
Staff presented draft policy language and topics for consideration to both the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission at a joint study session on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Staff covered outcomes from public outreach efforts to date, as well as a review of example comprehensive plan policies from peer jurisdictions. Housing topics included diversity of housing choice, preservation of existing housing stock, the nexus between transportation and housing, agricultural worker housing, and housing for seniors and vulnerable populations. Economics topics included recreation, tourism, preservation of rural character, public/private partnerships, agriculture, and economic viability. Feedback from the study session was used to inform staff’s revision of policy language.
Documents: Staff report for May 30, 2019
Public Open Houses
Staff from Land Use (now Community Planning & Permitting) and other Boulder County departments hosted four open houses (in Allenspark, Boulder, Longmont and Nederland) in the Fall of 2018 to present the update to the public, discuss relevant data and research materials, and gather initial public feedback and comments for both the Housing and Economics Elements. View the open house posters.
Community Group Meetings
Staff reached out to community groups and other stakeholders in Boulder County in order to conduct focused discussions on topics related to housing and economics. Community group meetings were held with:
- Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance
- Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership Regulatory Subcommittee
- Boulder County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council (AAC)
- Better Boulder
- Homeless Solutions for Boulder County
- Mad Agriculture
- Boulder Regional Business Partnership
- PLAN-Boulder County
- Niwot Local Improvement District
- Boulder County Local Coordinating Council (LCC)
- Hygiene Community Association
Background
The Land Use Department (now known as the Community Planning & Permitting Dept.) updated both the Housing and the Economics Elements of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan (BCCP) in dockets BCCP-18-0004 and BCCP-18-0005. The previous Housing and Economics Elements of the BCCP were from 1983 and 1987, respectively. Both Elements benefited from a review and update to reflect the county’s policy vision in light of current conditions. Given the interdependent nature of housing and economic trends in the region, staff updated the two Elements in tandem. While the Housing and Economics Elements remain as separate sections of the BCCP, the public engagement process addressed both Elements.
As part of the update process, staff researched best practices and examples from peer jurisdictions. For the Housing Element, staff explored a wide range of housing-related topics, including: senior housing, ADUs, manufactured homes, residential energy efficiency, farm worker housing, preservation of housing stock, short term rentals, and the intersection between available housing, jobs, and transportation. In addition, the updated Housing Element update is intended to align with goals outlined in the Regional Housing Plan, prepared by the Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership.
For the Economics Element, staff researched the potential for incorporating goals and policies on topics such as outdoor recreation, tourism, and sustaining economic viability for the county’s farmers and rural communities, among other topics.
Ideas from the public regarding additional topics to address in the updated Housing and Economics Elements were encouraged. Staff drafted updated policies and goals that balance and reflect the following:
- Guiding principles of the BCCP as a whole (e.g., maintaining a compact development pattern, preserving the environment and rural character, and supporting social equity)
- Best practices from peer jurisdictions
- Public input gathered through a variety of outreach activities
The updated Housing Element aligns with goals outlined in the Regional Housing Strategy. Read more about the Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership.