Boulder

PLANNING BOARD CHAIR CRITICAL OF HOME SIZE LIMIT PROCESS

The City Council's decision to spend $100,000 to hire a consultant to study and develop regulations to limit home expansions in Boulder recently drew criticism from Planning Board Chairman, Phil Shull. Shull takes exception to the Request for Proposal (RFP) the Council agreed to issue seeking consultant response, saying it does not accurately reflect the input of the committee that was assembled to write the RFP. Specifically, Shull contends that the RFP does not give equal weighting to all committee member input, particularly the Planning Boards. The committee was comprised of members of City Council, Landmarks Board and the Planning Board. In May the Planning Board voted against putting interim home size limits in place while the issue was studied for up to a year. And, it proposed a very modest approach should the Council go ahead with an interim ordinance despite the Board's recommendation. To be sure, Council Members exerted strong influence on the RFP's content and therefore, the scope and potential outcomes. The RFP clearly calls for a review of the traditional bulk plane rules governing set backs, height limitations, and solar access. It also calls for study into neighborhood character, streetscape and visual character, preservation of older homes, preservation of mature trees, and privacy (space between homes), among others. The study and proposed regulatory changes are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2008.

BARA's HOC BEGINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING REVIEW

Housing Opportunity Committee members are set to review the City's affordable housing programs, policies and practices as officials conduct an internal review and consider possible changes. The City Council conducted a study session on June 5 to review the current programs, respond to questions from staff and provide direct to staff on the scope and direction of the internal review. We had hoped to begin our formal review in June but two events suggested that the Committee should delay for one month. First, City Housing Director, John Pollak, announced his retirement as of July 12. This is a surprising event, coming in the middle of the City's internal review. Second, the City Council Study Session results are unclear. While broad discussion on critical issues did occur, Council Members provided their individual opinions, desires, and preferences, but no clear direction or consensus was communicated to staff. Shortly, staff will present Council with a summary of the Study Session results that should describe what direction staff believes Council would like the internal review to take. Once council approves the summary document the HOC will be able to structure our review, scope and schedule.