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PLAN-Boulder CountyThe Boulder County Peoples Advocate August, 2006Boulder County public affairs news and analysis |
In this issue
Annexation Petition Garners Enough Signatures
Supporters of a citizens' initiative to require public votes on major annexations submitted 4,075 valid signatures, well above the 3,745 required by Boulder's city charter to put the issue on the November ballot. If approved by voters this fall the initiative would require City Council to submit most annexations of five acres or more to a referendum before they became effective.
The petition drive was started by a group of citizens, including former members of the Boulder City Council. In particular, the initiative was designed to keep the City Council from approving major annexations, such as the proposed Palmos "big box" shopping center at 28th Street and Jay Road, the Hogan-Pancost property near the East Boulder Recreation Center, and the University of Colorado's CU South property, without approval of the people.
On March 20 council members voted 6 to 3 not to place the issue on the November ballot, requiring the citizens group to use the initiative process. With an adequate number of signatures filed and approved by the City Clerk, council members, by City Charter requirements, must now place the proposed ordinance on the November ballot, pass it themselves or negotiate with the citizens' committee toward a compromise. Council must act on placing the initiative or other issues on the November ballot by the end of August.
Boulder Speaks Out - Sponsoring Organization for the Annexation By Vote Initiative
Boulder Council's August 1, 2006 Public Hearing on the Annexation By Vote Initiative - Item 5-B
Annexation Measure on Hold
Bruno Offers Amended Incentives Plan
Boulder City Manager Frank Bruno will submit to City Council an amended "economic vitality" plan calling for a series of business subsidies and incentives. First reading on an ordinance to implement the $850,000 program is scheduled for August 1 with a public hearing and council vote on September 5.
Bruno originally proposed a $1.35 million package to council members in a study session. The new program would allow the manager to have discretion to waive up to $500,000 worth of city taxes or fees for designated businesses, fund a $300,000 loan program to allow companies to buy "owner-occupied" real estate and spend up to $50,000 for corporate employee training. Money for the incentives and subsidies would come from the City's "economic vitality" fund.
Bruno is also suggesting that City Council change the admittance fees for some City facilities, such as recreation centers, to allow employees of Boulder companies to pay the same fee as Boulder residents regardless of their place of domicile.
If approved by City Council, the incentives and subsidies program would operate only until the end of fiscal year 2007. Staff may suggest a continuing program, based on results of the initial $850,000 "pilot" program.
Boulder: The Economic Vitality Portal
The Boulder Economy
Economic Vitality: Maher, BEC & City Partnership
Economic Vitality Business Resources - City of Boulder
Council Weakens Historic Preservation Code
The Boulder City Council, at its July 11 meeting, approved amendments to the City's historic preservation code that make the process for designating historic districts more difficult. Boulder currently has nine historic districts with about 1,000 properties. Long recognized as a leader in historic preservation Boulder initiated its current ordinance over thirty years ago.
The Landmarks Board approved changes to the ordinance involving the designation process and controls over demolitions of older properties. Even then, some groups and citizens sought harsher changes, which were rejected by Council.cil. Councilman Andy Schultheiss offered the motion to approve the changes recommended by the Landmarks Board. Council member Suzy Ageton then offered a substitute motion to weaken the designation process by requiring a two-thirds vote of City Council to approve historic districts. Her motion was defeated on a 5 to 2 vote, with only Richard Polk joining her in support. Councilmen Tom Eldridge and Jack Stoakes were absent.
Once the Ageton motion was defeated council members approved the recommended changes on a vote of 6 to 1 with only Polk opposing. The Schultheiss motion also included recommendations that will make it easier to demolish non-landmarked properties older than fifty years. Under the weakened code it will also be impossible for third party groups, such as Historic Boulder, to initiate the process to consider neighborhoods for historic district designation.
Boulder Council - July 11, 2006 - Section 5: Amendment of the Historic Preservation Ordinance
Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (LPAB) Home Page
Historic Boulder Home Page
Boulder City Council members hostile to the city's historic preservation code launched another attack at the July 18 meeting. Reacting to council direction in 2004, City staff prepared a report on options for possible code changes regarding preservation of windows in historic buildings.
The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board and the Environmental Advisory Board both favored the status quo, which requires windows to be rehabilitated and updated instead of replaced unless they are too deteriorated. Some council members, including Suzy Ageton, Richard Polk, Mark Ruzzin and Andy Schultheiss, voiced support for weakening the code to allow historic property owners more leeway in replacing windows.
The move to reject the recommendations of the advisory boards was gaining steam at the meeting until staff reported a serious roadblock. The Colorado Historical Society, which administers state and federal funds for historic preservation, advised the City that any substantial weakening of the code could lead to Boulder losing its prized designation as a "certified local government". In addition to putting historic preservation funds at risk the change could also make it more difficult for Boulder historic property owners to receive federal tax credits.
Upon consideration of this information, Council agreed unanimously (with council members Crystal Gray and Shaun McGrath absent) to "continue" the issue to a future date. The motion by Councilman Jack Stoakes instructed City staff to return with options that would be "more flexible" than the current city code and implemented on a "case-by-case basis." Council's future deliberations on the issue may be moot, however, if the Colorado Historical Society's statement of policy does not change.
Colorado Historical Society
Council on Historic Windows - Item 5-C
Environmental Advisory Board:
A Tale of Two Cities (Boulder and Colorado Springs)
Council Advances Carbon Tax Issue
At their July 18 meeting the Boulder City Council instructed City staff to bring back to council language for a proposed ballot issue for implementing a Climate Action Plan carbon tax or fee. The issue may be placed before Boulder voters in November.
The city's Climate Action Plan seeks to bring Boulder into compliance with the goals of the Kyoto accords, with emphasis on increased energy efficiency in buildings, a switch to renewal energy sources and vehicle fuels and a reduction in the number of vehicle miles traveled by stressing walking, biking and use of public transit.
Council members discussed various options for the ballot issue, finally deciding on a tax instead of a fee, agreeing to provide services to tax-exempt organizations and sun-setting the tax in 2012. On a motion by Mark Ruzzin, council members voted unanimously (Crystal Gray and Shaun McGrath absent) to consider the ballot issue language and tax scenarios at an August meeting.
Carbon Tax to Ballot? (Colorado Daily)
Council Directs Staff on Carbon Tax/Fee on July 18 (see section 5-A)
Council Directs Staff on Carbon Tax/Fee on August 1 (see sections 6-A and 10)
Council Memo, Climate Action Plan and Climate Action Plan Ordinance
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Personal Emissions Calculator
County to Seek Transit and Trails Tax
Boulder County commissioners are expected to place a small (0.2%) sales tax increase on the November ballot that would help fund improved transit service and build more pedestrian and bicycle trails in the county. If approved by voters the tax of two cents on a $10 purchase would raise about $8 million per year over a likely life of twelve years.
Plans call for the proceeds from the tax to be split about 80% for transit and 20% for trails. Transit funding would go mainly to new and expanded bus routes, plus additional special services for the elderly, call and ride services and an expanded Eco-pass. The trails component would address projects prioritized in the county's regional trails plan, including a bike route on the Diagonal Highway between Boulder and Longmont.
View the Trails Plan, the Transit Plan and the Commissioner's Resolution
Transit plan to ballot? (Colorado Daily)
Board is on the bus (Colorado Daily)
Developer Files McKenzie Junction Plans
Dallas developer Trammell Crow Residential filed a site plan for McKenzie Junction, a large retail and residential project in northeast Boulder. The project would occupy a triangular site generally bounded by Diagonal Highway, Independence Road and Foothills Parkway. TCR is seeking approval for 344 townhouse and condominium units and 35,000 square feet of retail space.
The site is currently zoned TB-D (transitional business-developing) and site plan review and approval is required because of the size and scope of the project. McKenzie Junction will be located at Boulder's northeast gateway. The project would occupy a challenging site for residential use, being adjacent to two busy thoroughfares, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad and the approach to the east-west runway at the Boulder Municipal Airport.
Listen to the Planning Board Meeting - 344 residential units at McKenzie Junction
Trammell Crow Residential
Big Box Yes, Wal-Mart No (Daily Camera)
Across the country people are concerned about the lack of good local journalism in their communities. In many cases the problem revolves around out-of-town corporate ownership of newspapers, radio and television stations that puts higher priority on profit than quality. The concentration of so much of the nation's media under a few corporations also limits the diversity of views and often results in a pro-business slant on the news. Boulder, with both of its daily newspapers owned by the same firm, is no exception.
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| The Boulder County Peoples Advocate is published monthly by PLAN-Boulder County and distributed free to persons interested in local public affairs issues. Eric Karnes, Editor
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