Boulder

COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE SCOPING POP-SCRAPE STUDY

A subcommittee established by the City council has been meeting to develop the scope of a planned study of how best to regulate home size in new construction and expansions, especially those that involve popping up or demolishing a modest home to replace it with a large one. The FAR/Pop-Scrape subcommittee includes representatives from City Council, Planning Board, Landmarks Board, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. The scoping exercise framework is reviewing issues of 1) affordability, 2) environmental sustainability, and, 3) community character. Restrictive home size regulations and limitations could be imposed following the 2008 study and recommendations. City Council budgeted $80,000 for this effort. This is a very significant issue for home owners and BARA and it is complicated by the fact that the 2008 City Council will have at least five new members. This is the fifth time this issue has been considered over the past 25 years with the most recent being completed in 2004.