FasTracks Update
by Osman Parvez ---- It appears that a few federal transportation rules have changed, with the potential to add sizable costs to the FasTracks project. Meanwhile Boulder City Council is preparing to lobby for noise mitigation. From the Daily Camera: Some federal transportation rules have changed since voters in 2004 approved the $4.8 billion FasTracks initiative, said Chris Quinn, FasTracks Northwest Rail project manager. And those changes could cost real money by the time the rail line is complete in late 2014, he said. Also, be sure to check out where the proposed stations are in my development map. ---- [...]
Ready to Lose 25% of Your Property Value?
by Osman Parvez ---- Should there be limits on the size of homes in Boulder? How large is too large? Results from an economic study on the issue were released yesterday. From the Daily Camera: The latest version of the proposed house limits would cap houses in the plains at 4,500 square feet above ground and houses in the mountains at 3,000 square feet above ground. The study also presented a "quick and dirty" analysis on how the new program would affect property values and estimated it was possible that some land could lose as much as 25 percent of [...]
A Lot to Lose
by Osman Parvez ---- A quarter of the 9000+ signatures gathered by opponents of Washington Village were not registered to vote in Boulder. The group is just 86 short. With 10 days and their well organized efforts, there's no doubt they'll get the signatures needed to certify their petition. It's a given. So now what? It will first go to City Council, with four new members (of seven total), who can choose to reverse their decision to change zoning to allow the Washington Village project. There's a fair chance that the new members will help the Council's decision. If not, [...]
Washington Village Under Fire
by Osman Parvez ---- Neighbors of the Washington Village Cohousing Development filed a lawsuit today. From the Daily Camera: The lawsuit, brought by neighbors who live next to the former Washington School at 1215 Cedar Ave., alleges the Boulder City Council broke the law in changing zoning lines to accommodate a proposal to build homes, condominiums, commercial space and a "co-housing" community. The complaint lists as defendants the city of Boulder, the City Council and the Wonderland Hill Development Company, which brought the plan forward. The suit contends that the zoning change broke the law because it "confers a special [...]
Hey Buddy, Take a Hike
by Osman Parvez ---- Given the balmy weather, here's something you might enjoy this evening. Unwind on a contemplative hike and remind yourself of one of the reasons people choose to live in Boulder. Join city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Naturalist Jake Davis on a tranquil, introspective hike from 4 to 5 p.m. tonight, Monday, Nov 19. Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage, 900 Baseline Road. The hike will be followed by free hot tea, cocoa and conversation in the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. For more information, visit the Open Space and Mountain Parks website or call [...]
Adverse Possession Brouhaha
by Osman Parvez ---- The comments I've gotten from on the adverse possession of private land by two legal eagles (see Gimme! A Legal Land Grab) has been startling. This issue really sparks a reaction. Although I can't share their off the record comments, some laced with colorful metaphors, here's a few snippets from letters to the editor of the Daily Camera: November 12: "Gaining ownership under adverse possession can only happen when titled owners exhibit an uninterrupted disregard for another's use of their property for many years." November 14: "Bob Greenlee's column on adverse possession (Nov. 4) was a [...]
Gimme! A Legal Land Grab in Boulder
by Osman Parvez ---- Recently, a judge granted a trespassing Boulder couple ownership of land backing open space. The takers of the land are a former judge and lawyer couple. Obviously, they know the law. Seeing the owner's intent to build, they filed an action to possess the land and maintain their access. According to the defendants, this wasn't about access to open space. It was really about protecting their views. The plaintiff's were given a portion of the land, possibly rendering the full lot unbuildable. The previous owners value the lot (and their loss) at $800,000 to $1,000,000. What's [...]
Boulder Sites You Should Visit
by Osman Parvez ---- Here's a few Boulder blogs and websites that recently caught my eye. I think they're worth a look. Boulder Going Local: A campaign to help build community self-sufficiency and strengthen our local economy. The campaign promotes buying local, eating local, growing local, using local energy, and even a local currency. Boulder Cone Zones: A continually updated list of improvements being undertaken to Boulder's transportation infrastructure. The site includes a map of cone zones. You can also sign up for alerts via email. Martin Acres Life: A blog by Alfred Sawatzky on his experiences in Martin Acres, [...]
The Washington Village Petition
by Osman Parvez ---- They're everywhere. On street corners waving signs, canvassing neighborhoods door to door. Their goal? Collect enough signatures to force a referendum on the Washington Village development. If you're a reader of this blog or participate in a neighborhood email list (highly recommended), you've already heard some of the debate. On Sunday, the developer was granted an audience via an opinion piece in the Daily Camera. I've already presented the views of the neighborhood association. Here's what Jim Leach thinks (an excerpt, trimmed): These neighbors ask you to sign in order to "allow the people to be [...]
Solar Powered (Commercial) Property Workshop
by Osman Parvez ---- Ready to convert your Boulder business to solar? This Tuesday, Nov. 13 the City is offering an informational workshop on solar electricity for commercial facilities. The Office of Environmental Affairs (OEA) is hosting the workshop from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Boulder Chamber of Commerce (2440 Pearl St). This free workshop will review the main aspects of installing solar systems in businesses. "With increasing energy prices and concern about climate change, many businesses are trying to decide if solar electricity is a wise investment for their facility," said Kevin Afflerbaurh, city of Boulder energy sustainability [...]
Bite into Boulder. Mmm!
by Osman Parvez ---- For just a week, 40 of Boulder's top restaurants are offering a special three course $26 prix fixe dinner menu. What an opportunity to check out the finest dining in Boulder. Menus and other links are below. Visit the website for more details. It runs through November 9th. 14th Street Bar & Grill 444-5854 Map Menu 4580 448-1500 Map Menu Reserve Online Aji 442-3464 Map Menu Alba 938-8800 Map Menu Reserve Online Bacaro Venetian Taverna 444-4888 Map Menu Reserve Online Black Cat 444-9110 Map Menu Reserve Online Bombay Bistro 444-4721 Map Menu Boulder ChopHouse & Tavern [...]
You Can Fight City Hall
by Osman Parvez ---- Sharp eyed readers probably caught this picture in my recent slide show from the Farmer's Market. As you probably already know, the folks organizing against the Washington Village Cohousing Project have stepped up their efforts. That's right, in the face of City Council's ruling to allow the development, the neighborhood group is attempting to gather enough signatures to have a referendum on the matter. From the Washington Neighborhood Association: On October 23rd, 2007 the Boulder, Colorado City Council voted 7 to 1 (Crystal Gray, opposed) in favor of decimating the site of our neighborhood's most treasured [...]
The Peloton – Inside Scoop!
by Osman Parvez ---- The Peloton hosted an open house on Friday celebrating the grand opening of a community building. As I mentioned in my last post, a $100,000 incentive was also being offered. That sounded like a big discount. So on behalf our clients and you loyal readers of this blog, I sent a top operative from Realty Unique to investigate... me. I toured the facility, sampled the catering, and chatted with the sales people. Here's what I found... Wait. First, I should mention that I didn't really know what to expect. Like you, I've seen and heard the [...]
Peloton – Save $100K?
by Osman Parvez ---- Hmm... the Peloton is offering a $100K discount on condos. Ah, but today only. Seems I was right to hold off on that Vespa. I'm going to try to swing by the sales office to hear their pitch. Frankly, with this promotion not to mention the advertising saturation, it doesn't seem like the Peloton is selling so well. This latest push, assuming it's true, also seems like quite the smack in the face to buyers who already put their deposits down at full price. It reminds me of Steve Jobs recent marketing goof when he dropped [...]
Burning Down the House
by Osman Parvez ---- Last year, there were 1.6 million fires reported in the United States. Although it always seems to happen to someone else, it's a real danger. Over 300 people died in fires during 2006. And just like lightning, it can strike twice. Yesterday there was a fire at Gold Run in Boulder. Again. You could say I have some familiarity with Gold Run. Years ago, I lived there for a Summer. It's located centrally and in close proximity to the university. The units are nicely situated and all are a little different from one another. It's right [...]
