Boulder

Boulder

Boulder Commissioners Revise BuildSmart Regulations
For the third time since 2008, the Boulder County Commissioners have revised the BuildSmart Regulations, which are designed to promote and encourage energy efficient and "sustainable development" for new construction and reconstruction of residential properties in the unincorporated areas of Boulder County. According to the County, the benefits of the revisions are as follows: 1) some requirements for new dwellings, additions, and remodels have been relaxed; 2) five different options will now be available for compliance for most projects; 3) small energy-efficient spas and pools are exempt; 4) the creation of a new "Prescriptive" alternative to the HERS rating system, which will be less costly and provide more flexible choices particularly for smaller additions and remodels; 5) "straight line graph HERS requirements" for both new dwellings and additions, leading to more consistent and simpler measures for determining energy efficiency (additionally, the new HERS thresholds for additions in most cases are less stringent); and 6) clearer thresholds for calculating new conditioned floor area and applying the HERS rating system to remodels. Commissioner Will Toor says the revisions help to balance the desire of the County to reduce energy use and yet create regulations that are user-friendly. The revisions become law on April 1. For more information visit: http://www.bouldercountybuildsmart.org/.

Boulder Council Postpones Hearing on Tree Ordinance The Boulder City Council acted against the staff recommendation and decided not to hold a public hearing on two tree-protection ordinances. The Council decided that it needed more time to answer a host of questions about the proposed rules, which would create licensing requirements for certified arborists, create an obligation for property owners to maintain street trees and would set tree-protection requirements as part of the site review and subdivision standards. Some Council members said they were concerned about the lack of clarity in the proposal and the increased costs to property owners. No immediate date was set for the Council to reconsider the ordinance.

Boulder Considering Task Force to Mull New Housing Initiatives City staff review of the affordable housing program began in the fall of 2008, and included three phases. Phases I and II were completed January 2010. Through the course of Phases I and II, Council and staff had identified a number of issues to be considered for Phase III. Click on the link below to get the details. Update on activities surrounding staff recommendations for the establishment of a Housing Advisory Committee