Historic, Really?
by Osman Parvez ---- Here's a look at how at how efforts to (further) limit house sizes are conflicting with property rights. For about the past year, I've been attending City Council meetings on the issue of pops and scrapes (now called incompatible development). At the public hearing portion of these meetings, certain members of the Landmarks Board regularly speak up (supposedly representing themselves) about the need for stricter regulations on house sizes. At a few of these meetings, I've noticed these same Landmarks Board members seem to have organized like-minded residents to speak from the same position, thus creating [...]
Compatible Development Update (Pops and Scrapes)
by Osman Parvez ---- First a quick review. This issue is about community reaction to large new or remodeled homes on small lots. When Boulder City Council met in January of 2008, they identified this as being a high priority and tried to implement an emergency change to the maximum allowable floor area ratio (FAR). Due to public outcry over the lack of process, City Council backed off and brought on a team of consultants (led by Winter and Co) to develop a community process to reach consensus. The issue is now once again at the forefront of City Council's [...]
No Surprise, Council Moves to Kill Downtown Development
by Osman Parvez ---- From the Daily Camera The City Council voted 7-1 late Tuesday night to ask the city’s planning staff to start working in the second half of next year to come up with possible changes to the circumstances in which developers are allowed to exceed 35 feet and go up to the 55-foot ceiling. Completely ignoring soft market conditions, City Council continues to do their best to damage the real estate market and end the downtown renaissance. And I thought President Bush was clueless. Elected leaders, she said, should change the way they think of the space [...]
Council Pushes for New Building Height Limits
by Osman Parvez ---- Looks like City Council is continuing their effort to destroy your property value in Boulder. From the Daily Camera: Builders now are allowed to go up to 35 feet in much of downtown Boulder. Building higher than that — up to the 55-foot limit set forth in the city’s charter — requires permission from the city’s Planning Board. Planning officials considering those requests take into account sketches of the proposed buildings, how the projects will fit in with their neighbors and what kind of contribution they’ll make to pedestrians and “usable open space.” Thus far, the [...]
“We Should Have Changed the Code Months Ago”
by Osman Parvez ---- Is City Council Against Property Rights? The Camera is reporting on City Council's efforts to block the redevelopment of 1580 Canyon, formerly Robb's Music. Council voted yesterday to review an already approved decision to allow the property owner to build a 54 foot tall building on the site. From the article: Developers received approval from the city's Planning Board last month to tear down the existing building on the site and put the four-story, 54-foot-tall structure in its place. Before yesterday's meeting, Councilwoman Susan Osborne sent an email (on a public list) to colleagues rallying support. [...]
Broomfield Nuisance Law Scheduled for 2009 Vote
by Osman Parvez ---- Now that the 2008 election is history, it's time to start thinking about 2009. Okay, you're probably sick of elections and politics by now, but Broomfield voters should take note. On September 9th, Broomfield City Council passed Ordinance 1891, which states that homeowners could be fined up to $1,000 or spend up to 12 months in jail if their homes meet three or more out of seventeen possible violations outlined by the city. However, last month a group of citizens submitted enough voter signatures to force the new regulations to be decided by public vote. The [...]
Pop and Scrape Survey Now Due
by Osman Parvez ---- Just a reminder to Boulder residents. The Pops and Scrapes Community survey must be postmarked by tomorrow. Or you can deliver it personally to RRC Associates, 4940 Pearl East Circle, Suite 103. Property owners in affected neighborhoods should have received this a few weeks ago via postal mail. If you have plans to improve your property, care about the impact of development on our community, or simply want to protect your property's value, I strongly encourage you to fill-out and return the survey. For those curious about the contents of the survey, I scanned my copy. [...]
The Pops and Scrapes Survey
by Osman Parvez ---- If you own property in the City of Boulder, check your mailbox. You've probably just received your Pops and Scrapes Survey. To protect the potential use of your property and its future resale value, it's very important to respond. However you feel about the issue, it's critical for city officials to hear from a representative group of homeowners, not just those with strong feeling about home expansions. I've been to the workshops and meetings about this issue. City Council intends to move on it as soon as possible. Your survey must be postmarked by November 7th. [...]
Boulder Pops and Scrapes Workshop – PHASE 1
by Osman Parvez ---- Can a house be too big for the neighborhood? Last night was the start of a new public process, something many demanded given the haste with which City Council was moving towards Draconian solutions only a few months ago. In a series of workshops aimed at solving the issue of "pops and scrapes," residents, consultants, and city employees have begun focusing on the task. When it comes to house sizes and other elements of design, seldom have I seen such a polarizing issue. Both sides were represented at last night's meeting. In case you forgot where [...]
Boulder’s House Size Battle
by Osman Parvez ---- The City has put together a website to keep people informed of what's happening in efforts to limit house sizes. The site has background, next steps, documentation, and other useful information. Next up? A meeting on June 27 (tomorrow) where the City will consider several potential consultants. Residents are invited to observe. Unfortunately, I can't attend but if you happen to go, please leave a comment and let me know your impressions. Friday, June 27 at 1pm City Council Chambers 1777 Broadway ---- Like this analysis? Subscribe to our client research report. Want [...]
Council Backs Off on Home Size Limits… For Now
by Osman Parvez ---- Phew! The Camera is reporting that City Council is backing off their efforts to limit home sizes in Boulder. The foolishness of doing it as an emergency measure now, as the national economy moves into what could be a deep recession, finally clicked home. Public outcry and a recommendation by the Boulder Planning Board not to move forward with a temporary ordinance limiting house sizes prompted the City Council to put the issue on hold late Tuesday night. In a surprise move after 10 p.m., the council voted unanimously not to hear a first reading of [...]
FAR Issue Tonight
by Osman Parvez ---- If efforts by City Council to limit house sizes in Boulder concern you, I encourage you to attend or watch tonight's meeting. If you wish to speak, better arrive early to sign up (I recommend a few minutes before sign up opens at 5). Here's the press release... --- FAR issue on Planning Board meeting agenda Thursday A public hearing with the Planning Board is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, in the City Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway, regarding approaches to interim regulations that may provide additional limitations in single family zoning districts aimed [...]
City Council – What, Me Worry?
by Osman Parvez ---- An email was posted on the City Council hotline providing staff's initial answers to Council Member Wilson's questions. Three items are of deep concern ---Questions of Deep Concern---(staff's responses are in italics. My responses are bracketed). 7. How would property values be impacted with an interim ordinance? I know this is difficult, but we should put some thought into it. Although we will not be able to address the economic impacts of an interim ordinance, we will try and research other communities' experiences since many communities across the country have enacted ordinances that limit the size [...]
House Size Limits – Get Involved!
by Osman Parvez ---- Do you care about City Council's recent efforts to limit the potential of your property? Here's two ways for you to get involved! 1. Join a group dedicated to understanding this issue and finding ways to address it. Email rationalplanning@gmail.com for details on how to join. 2. Take a survey. City Council wants to know about your specific situation, and how proposed regulations could affect you. Click HERE to complete an online survey (it should take no more than five minutes). The survey is anonymous. Questions generally refer to where you currently live and how the [...]
Can You Hear Me Now?
by Osman Parvez ---- If you ever want to speak in front of City Council, better show up early. At last night's meeting, sign-up began at 5pm but only the first 15 people were allowed to speak before the meeting's agenda commenced. That left dozens of people waiting nearly two hours before the public hearing was resumed. When I first started hearing the feedback, I admit I was a little concerned. A seemingly organized group of senior citizens, most living near each other, were among the first to the microphone. They spoke in favor of an immediate emergency measure to [...]
