The debate over the size of new homes in Boulder County is reaching a critical point as the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) prepares to host a public meeting and hearing about possible changes to current site plan review regulations. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, members of the community will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on a proposed temporary moratorium on processing site plan review (SPR) applications for homes larger than the neighborhood median Residential Floor Area in unincorporated areas of Boulder County.
The heart of the matter centers around growing concerns over sustainability, affordability, and maintaining the character of neighborhoods. As reported by Boulder County, the Land Use Code currently allows for residential development up to 125% of the median residential floor area, but that could change pending the upcoming hearing.
For those interested in attending the BOCC’s session, it will be available in a hybrid format, offering both in-person attendance at the Boulder County Courthouse on 1325 Pearl Street and a virtual option via Zoom. Details on how to attend or participate online can be found on the Boulder County Government's website.
The proposed moratorium is not absolute; it will include exemptions for applications already under review and for property owners seeking to rebuild after damages from unforeseen events. As stated by Boulder County, in the documents released in anticipation of the hearing, "The moratorium will remain in effect while staff update the existing SPR regulations. Public comment and testimony regarding the temporary moratorium will be taken at the Sept. 17 hearing." These measures are intended to pause development while the county considers how best to reshape its regulations.
Those unable to attend the meeting but wishing to submit comments can do so by emailing Ethan Abner at [email protected] or by traditional mail to the Boulder County Commissioners' Office. The local governance has made it clear that community input will play a substantial role in deciding whether the moratorium will be implemented and how the Land Use Code might be amended in the future.
