Boulder County

TDR/HOMESIZE PROPOSALS HEADED FOR ACTION IN 1ST QTR. 2008

The BARA Board of Directors unanimously voted to oppose both the Expanded Transferable Development Rights proposal and the home size limitations. A written statement of our position will be forwarded to Boulder County officials and the public early in January 2008, prior to the January 9 Planning commission hearing.

The Boulder County Planning Commission held a hearing on December 5th to discuss the results of Clarion Associates economic impact study on the proposed TDR/home size regulations, which the County calls an "Expanded TDR Program." Planner Michelle Krezek admitted that "the universe is small" when it comes to similar programs. Consultant Don Elliott noted that there are no studies available to show what this type of impact would have on property values and Krezek pointed out that was never the intent of the study. Elliot used available County data to predict the number of properties that might be eligible to sell development credits and properties that could be eligible to buy the credits in order to build homes (or add square footage) above the threshold numbers of 6,500 square feet on the plains and 4,500 square feet in the mountains. 59 people voiced their concerns with the study's results and 2 spoke in favor of moving forward with the proposed regulations. Many property owners voiced valid concerns - for example, that given the small number of potentially affected properties, there is no demonstrated need for this program --but these comments were brushed off by the Planning Commission and staff. At one point Krezek noted that the County has already hired someone to run the County clearinghouse which will serve as a registry for the selling and buying of credits, making it quite clear the County intends to move forward. The next Planning Commission study session, which is set for December 19th, will give the Commission the chance to look at what Krezek calls "the entire TDR package;" including the language for the draft ordinance. The Planning Commission will conduct its first public hearing on the ordinance on January 9th. Don't be surprised if final actions on these proposals by the County Commissioners get extended into March 2008.