Posts tagged public input
City of Boulder News Briefs
0March 15, 2013
City to host open house on revised floodplain mapping for Upper Goose/Twomile Canyon Creek
The City of Boulder will host an open house to collect public input on revised floodplain mapping for Upper Goose/Twomile Canyon Creek from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at the Foothills Elementary School Library, 1001 Hawthorn Ave.
City staff will provide information about how the proposed floodplains in the area have changed and how the revised mapping may impact property owners and residents in the area. If adopted, the proposed map would add 279 properties to the floodplain and remove 259. The property owners that may be impacted have been notified.
Public input will be requested on the proposed changes to the floodplains. After input is collected and analyzed, the mapping will be revised as appropriate and presented to the Water Resources Advisory Board and Planning Board later in 2013. A final recommendation to City Council will follow.
Floodplain maps are periodically updated and revised to reflect changing conditions, such as new topography, land development, updated mapping studies, impacts of flooding, and construction of floodplain improvements. The city strives to update its floodplain maps every 10 years.
For more information, contact Kurt Bauer at 303-441-4232 or visit www.boulderwater.net and click on “Projects & Programs.”
City of Boulder Planning & Development Services Center closed Tuesday, March 19 for staff training
The City of Boulder Planning and Development Services (P&DS) Center will be closed on Tuesday, March 19 for a staff work and training session to enhance core customer service functions such as processing development review and permit applications. The services center will resume regular hours of operation at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20.
The PDS Center is open during the lunch hour and continuously available to customers from:
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Anyone who enters the services center before 4 p.m. will be served. Customers who are working through the Land Use Review (LUR) and Technical Document (TEC) processes can schedule an appointment with a project specialist ahead of time by contacting Administration Supervisor Karlin Goggin at 303-441-4053.
Planning Development Services coordinates all of the development-related functions across the city’s Community Planning & Sustainability and Public Works departments. The customer services provided include building applications and permits, comprehensive planning, development review, GIS mapping services, historic preservation, inspections, licensing and zoning information.
All customers are encouraged to use www.boulderplandevelop.net before visiting the services center to access information and download applications and forms.
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Boulder seeks feedback on potential land use code amendments related to alcohol
0November 14, 2012
Starting today, the city is seeking public input on potential amendments to the land use code to help mitigate community impacts related to the overconsumption of alcohol; a short survey is available here. The survey will be available until Nov. 26, 2012. Community input will be used to inform potential land use code amendments to be presented to council in early 2013.
On Aug. 21, 2012, City Council directed staff to seek feedback from the community regarding alcohol overconsumption in the Boulder community, including the role that land use code amendments could play to encourage responsible drinking and minimize the negative impacts on the community related to alcohol use. Council recognizes planning and zoning is just one of the many factors that influence this complex problem.
In 2004, City Council adopted Resolution 960 – A Resolution Concerning Alcohol Abuse in our Community. Since then, planning staff has met with City Council and community stakeholders on a number of occasions to look at options for land use changes, including study sessions in 2009 and a discussion on Aug. 21, 2012.
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Boulder Walker Ranch Management
0November 8, 2012
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department will host a review of the Management Alternatives proposed by Parks and Open Space staff for the Walker Ranch Management Plan Update.
What: Walker Ranch Management Alternatives meeting
When: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Transportation office, second floor 2525 13th St., Boulder
Staff will give a presentation of the management proposals followed by a question-and-answer period.
Ideas received at a public open house in 2011 have been incorporated into the proposals. Staff will present those proposals at this meeting and take public comments and questions. This will not be the last opportunity for public input.
Based on public responses to the alternatives and information gathered during alternatives review, staff will develop and update the plan and present a draft final management plan to the public in December. A 30-day comment period will follow the December presentation. The final proposal to the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee and the Board of County Commissioners will be scheduled in early 2013.
For more information about the Walker Ranch Management Plan Update, visit www.bouldercounty.org/os/openspace/pages/walkerplan.aspx or contact Resource Planner Jesse Rounds at 303-678-6271 or jrounds@bouldercounty.org.
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Boulder seeks input on medical marijuana code changes
0September 5, 2012
In October 2012, city staff will be recommending a number of revisions to City Council regarding Boulder’s Medical Marijuana Code (BRC 6-14). As part of the process, the city is soliciting public feedback on the proposed code changes prior to presenting them to council.
To collect public input, city staff have prepared a survey to get feedback on key code revisions. Take the public survey now! Feedback will be collected until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21.
In addition to the survey, the city will host an informational meeting for medical marijuana businesses and representatives of the industry at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 7 in City Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway.
Written comments may also be submitted to medicalmarijuanaquestions@bouldercolorado.gov.
The goal of the code changes are to:
- Make the code more clear and concise so it is more user-friendly;
- Increase fees to cover the costs of licensing medical marijuana businesses;
- Consider limiting advertising similar to the limitations recently adopted in Denver; and
- Increase the distance from medical marijuana businesses to schools from 500 ft to 1,000 ft, consistent with federal law.
For more information, including a complete overview of the proposed code changes visit the Medical Marijuana Businesses website.
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EnergySmart hosting public input sessions
0July 23, 2012
Boulder County, Colo. – The EnergySmart program is hosting a series of public input sessions for residents and business owners to provide feedback to EnergySmart staff, ask questions, and hear updates on the program to date.
The sessions are free and open to current and prospective EnergySmart customers, and anyone wanting more information about the program.
Snacks will be provided. RSVPs are appreciated but not required.
Schedule
- Boulder (RSVP)
Thursday, July 26, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St.
- Louisville (RSVP)
Tuesday, July 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Rex Restaurant, 817 Main St.
- Longmont (RSVP)
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids, 1555 S. Hover St.
Visit www.EnergySmartYes.com for more information.
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Boulder wavering on unpopular closure rules for public property?
0December 27, 2011
City to hold public hearing on proposed park closure rule Jan. 3
The City of Boulder will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that would close parks, parkways, recreation areas and open spaces from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. The hearing will occur during the already scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. The meeting is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and will be held in Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway.
The public hearing will give community members an additional opportunity to express their views about the proposed rule. The hearing also will provide a forum for council members to ask questions of the city manager and city attorney and provide some direction in light of feedback they have received from their constituents.
The city manager proposed the nighttime closure rule on Dec. 16 because of increasing concerns about safety and health risks associated with encampments and other activities that occur in these locations after dark. The rule would not apply to individuals passing through the affected areas on foot or bicycle – or to events that have been approved through the city’s permitting process. Nor would it prohibit lawful activity, including constitutionally protected activity and political protests, during the remaining 18 hours of the day, between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Unlike most public hearings, council is not currently considering an ordinance related to park closures. The discussion that occurs, however, is likely to shape the city manager’s decision about how to proceed with the rule she has proposed under authority granted to her by Boulder Revised Code.
The decision to hold a public hearing was made today during a Council Agenda Committee meeting. The Council Agenda Committee includes city staff and three council members who look ahead to upcoming meeting agendas and determine how to make the sessions as efficient and productive as possible. Committee participants agreed that a public hearing would result in a more focused discussion, allowing for council questions to be informed by public comment and a staff presentation.
“We recognize that this is an important decision for our community, and the committee felt that this additional opportunity for public input would be valuable,” City Manager Jane S. Brautigam said. “I am looking forward to hearing the perspectives of community members and City Council as we work together to address important health and safety issues.”
In addition to the public hearing, the city has been collecting written comments as part of a 15-day public comment period. Written comments are being accepted by email at parksclosurerule@bouldercolorado.gov or by US mail at Parks Closure Rule, City of Boulder Box 791, Boulder, CO, 80306, until 5 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2012.
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Boulder’s Chautauqua –Change it? Protect it? Get you 2 cents in
0December 11, 2011
Meeting on Chautauqua 2020 Stewardship Framework next Wednesday; public input opportunity
The City of Boulder and the Colorado Chautauqua Association (CCA) are working together to develop a “Chautauqua 2020 Stewardship Framework” to help guide their collaborative management of the Chautauqua area, and to inform any future decisions about its use and enhancement.
The city and the consultant team of Anderson Hallas Architects, PC and Mundus Bishop Design, Inc. will host a public meeting for the public to learn more about the draft Stewardship Framework and provide feedback. The meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave. The public is invited to provide input on:
- The draft principles and evaluation criteria; and,
- The draft framework approach to parking, access, and potential physical changes.
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This collaborative effort is taking place in order to develop a Stewardship Framework for the Chautauqua area, located at 900 Baseline Road. The effort arose in response to CCA’s “Chautauqua 2020 Plan” that was brought to the city in February 2011. The 2020 Plan identifies the CCA’s priorities as it strives to continue its mission “to preserve, perpetuate and improve the site and spirit of the historic Chautauqua by enhancing its community and values through cultural, educational, social and recreational experiences.”
The overall purpose of the Stewardship Framework is to establish a shared understanding and approach to Chautauqua’s stewardship, including a process by which potential changes to facilities and the adjacent historic area could be considered. It also seeks to lay the foundation for continued success of the Colorado Chautauqua through coordination of uses and a shared management philosophy and practice between the city and the CCA.
To learn more about the stewardship framework, visit www.BoulderColorado.gov/Chautauqua, or contact Louise Grauer at 303-441-3134 orgrauerl@bouldercolorado.gov
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Tell Boulder County where it can put its $$$
0October 24, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Boulder County Commissioners to hold public hearing on Oct. 27 to solicit input from residents
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27 to solicit input from residents on suggestions and recommendations for the 2012 county budget.
The hearing will take place in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room on the third floor of the Boulder Courthouse at 1325 Pearl St. in Boulder, and members of the public are invited to provide input on 2012 funding for county services and programs.
During the months of September and October, each county elected office and department, along with representatives from local nonprofit human services agencies, presented their 2012 budget requests to the commissioners at a series of public hearings.
Those funding requests, which can fluctuate up until the time the County Commissioners make their recommendations to budget staff for inclusion in the 2012 budget package, can be viewed in-person Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Commissioners’ Office, also on the third floor of the Courthouse.
The Board of County Commissioners will review all budget requests and public input at the 2012 Budget Work Session to be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room. The public is invited to attend the work session, but no public testimony will be taken.
Members of the public may provide comments about 2012 county funding at Thursday’s hearing, by email to commissioners@bouldercounty.org, by mail to Boulder County Commissioners’ Office, P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306, or by phone at 303-441-3500. A final public hearing on the budget will be scheduled in mid-November.
Information about current and prior year’s budgets is available on the county’s website at: www.bouldercounty.org. Search for “budget” in the search field at the top of the page. By state law, the Board of County Commissioners must adopt a final 2012 budget by Dec. 15.
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Boulder bike park a winner!
0October 12, 2011
Parks and Recreation Department wins 2011 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association award for Valmont Bike Park
The City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department was awarded the 2011 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Columbine Award for Recreation Facility Design at Valmont Bike Park. The award was presented to Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon and Recreation Superintendent Alice Guthrie on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the CPRA Annual Conference in Grand Junction.
“This is a great honor for the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department,” said Kincannon. “Valmont Bike Park was designed and constructed with the community in mind. Through our extensive public input process, we were able to create a park that appeals to all levels of cyclists and provides a great recreation facility for families. We are thrilled to have this community treasure recognized by the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association.”
The opening of Valmont Bike Park in June 2011 was the culmination of a multi-year collaboration between the community and Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. A 40-acre, natural-surface bike park, Valmont was designed and developed in partnership with the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA), a group representing the area’s active, off-road cycling community. BMA brought volunteers, funding and sport-specific expertise to this ambitious project. BMA also agreed to help with fundraising and long-term stewardship of the bike facility and formed a partnership with the PLAY Boulder Parks Foundation as a mechanism to receive tax-deductible donations.
The park offers trails and features for all ages, riding abilities and styles. It also incorporates the latest sustainable design features including water conservation systems; LEEDTM certified building design, solar photovoltaic power and wildlife-proof recycling and trash containers.
The addition of the park and completion of multi-use trails leading to it elevated Boulder’s League of American Bicyclists’ status from gold to one of only three, Platinum-level bike friendly communities in the U.S. Valmont Bike Park provides new recreation opportunities for the community and competitive venues for local, national and international events.
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Feed bears and they will eat
0September 23, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Residents encouraged to secure trash and food sources to protect bears
Gris getting ready to eat Prom Queen.
The City of Boulder reminds residents that this is the time of year when bears are foraging for food, in preparation for their winter hibernation. It is important that residents take measures to deter bears by securing any potential food sources on their properties.
Bear-proofing food items and trash is the best way for residents to minimize the chances that bears will show interest in their property. Common bear attractants include garbage, compost, bird feeders, food from outdoor grills, pet food left outside and fruit from trees. The city recommends that residents store garbage and compost bins in a garage or shed until the morning of collection, or keep their waste in a bear-resistant trash container. Residents within the city limits of Boulder can contact Western Disposal at 303-444-2037 to purchase bear-resistant trash containers.
Really stupid idea
Bears that learn that people are a source of food are sometimes killed to keep the public safe. Over the past six years, five bears have been killed in the city because of nuisance behavior or a threat to public safety. Please do your part to ensure that bears are not unnecessarily attracted to your property.
If there is a bear in your backyard, the following tips are recommended:
Keep your distance. Back away slowly from the bear, ensuring it has a clear escape path;
Never run. Running may cause a bear to chase you;
Never approach a bear, or get in between a cub and its mother;
Never provide food to a bear. This teaches it to approach people for food;
Do not let the bear become comfortable around your home; and
Once you are safely inside, do your best to scare the bear away. Yell, clap your hands and make other loud noises to encourgage the bear to leave.
Thanks for the twinky, now I am going to eat you.
If the bear is threatening human safety, pets or destroying property, call the police at 911. Report past bear sightings and encounters at 303-441-3004.
The city is in the final stages of developing the Black Bear and Mountain Lion component of the Urban Wildlife Management Plan (UWMP) and has prepared a draft version for public input. To view the draft plan and submit feedback, visit www.boulderwildlifeplan.net. Feedback provided prior to Sept. 28 will be incorporated into the Oct. 18 memo for City Council’s consideration.
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Survey shows Boulder voters support creation of a city-owned electric utility by a wide margin
0August 1, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
Seventy-one percent of City of Boulder voters indicated that they either strongly support or support municipalization, according to the results of a statistically valid telephone survey conducted last month. The results were made public by the city today in advance of an important council meeting tomorrow night.
Other key findings include:
Seventy-one percent of those surveyed said the city would be better at offering renewable sources of energy and reducing carbon emissions than Xcel Energy.
A smaller, but majority, percentage (57 percent) thought the city could do a better job at finding innovative solutions to energy problems than Xcel Energy.
Xcel Energy, on the other hand, scored higher (67 percent) in providing reliable energy and (52 percent) in keeping monthly energy bills stable.
Reliability, service, control, energy sources and cost all received high marks as community priorities. Three of these were weighted against each other – low cost, increased renewable sources and having a say in utility decisions. Increasing renewable sources of energy were considered the prevailing priority among these by a majority of residents.
Sixty-five percent of those surveyed indicated they support the issuance of bonds to purchase Xcel’s system. Seventy-seven percent said they would either strongly support or somewhat support the extension/expansion of either the Climate Action Plan or Utility Occupation Tax to cover interim legal and engineering expenses necessary to determine final acquisition and start-up costs.
Ninety-one percent of those surveyed said they would support an increase of between 5 percent to “as much as it takes” in their monthly electric bills to reduce carbon emissions and/or increase renewable sources of energy.
Voters were even more likely to support the creation of a city-owned electric utility if there was a possibility of spending limits, a re-evaluation of final costs before a decision is made about whether to issue bonds and rates within 10 percent of those offered by Xcel Energy. Education about the existence of the 29 other locally-owned utilities in Colorado also made a positive difference.
“The decision our community makes regarding our energy future will be a historic one. These results show that the City of Boulder has listened carefully to our community as we have set our objectives and studied our energy supply options,” City Manager Jane S. Brautigam said. “While we are on the track that many voters support, we also know that taking a measured and prudent approach to this analysis is crucial. We pledge to continue working responsibly and objectively to understand the potential impacts and benefits to all segments of our community.”
The survey, conducted by National Research Center Inc. in Boulder, reached 1,265 registered voters and resulted in 400 completed responses. The response rate of 32 percent was one of the biggest the survey firm has seen in recent years. The results have a margin of error of +/-4.5 percent. The survey occurred between July 6 and July 18.
Tomorrow night’s council meeting will begin at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 2, in Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway. Elected officials are expected to hear a brief presentation about the survey findings and ask questions before discussing and then voting on ballot language related to how Boulder gets it energy in the future. There will be an opportunity for public input. The decisions council makes at this meeting are expected to form the basis for a third – and final – reading of ballot language on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 1.
The complete survey report is available at http://www.boulderenergyfuture.com.
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City of Boulder News Briefs: Creek and Hazzards
0April 25, 2011
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
Open House announced for Boulder Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project
The City of Boulder will hold an open house on Monday, May 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the West Boulder Senior Center at 909 Arapahoe Ave. to discuss the planned stream bank and riparian habitat improvements at Eben G. Fine Park along Boulder Creek.
At the open house, the city will solicit public input on various conceptual ideas for improvements along the south bank of Boulder Creek at Eben G. Fine Park. The proposed goals of the project include erosion control, habitat restoration, better recreational access and improved water quality. These improvements are necessary to maintain the aesthetic quality and ecological health of the area, which has deteriorated over time due to continuous usage.
Located along the western end of the Boulder Creek Path, Eben G. Fine Park is a popular recreation and relaxation destination for groups, families and individuals.
For more information, visit www.boulderwater.net, and click on “Projects & Programs.” For information on flood preparation, go to boulderfloodinfo.net.
Annual review of the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan released
The City of Boulder has released the annual review of the Utilities Division Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP), available at www.boulderwater.net. The annual review is part of the city’s voluntary participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).
The City of Boulder participates in the CRS program and in 2010, had a community rating of seven out of 10 (one being the highest rating). This rating provides an annual flood insurance premium discount of approximately 15 percent for property owners. Resident flood insurance premium rates are discounted based on a community’s efforts to reduce flood losses beyond the minimum requirements.
Participating communities must submit documentation annually to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for recertification.
For more information about the MHMP and to see the annual review, visit www.boulderwater.net and click on “Projects & Programs.”
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City of Boulder kicks off Energy Future outreach efforts
0April 8, 2011
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
The City of Boulder is announcing a variety of new ways for community members to learn about and give feedback on the ongoing Energy Future effort. The city has released an animated video sharing the goals of the initiative and an online survey. In addition, staff members will be conducting outreach at a variety of locations around town.
Boulder’s Energy Future goal, shaped during public forums last fall, is to ensure that residential, business and other institutional customers have access to safe, reliable energy that is competitively priced, increasingly clean, and as locally produced as possible — giving customers more choice and control in their power.
The city’s energy team is focused on gathering the facts and data needed to inform decisions about the best option for the community. While no decision has been made about how to accomplish this goal, analyses that take into account Boulder’s specific objectives are underway. Currently, three options are being explored:
forming a new agreement with our current provider, Xcel Energy; the creation of a local power utility; or,
a hybrid approach that includes elements of both of the previous options.
The city expects to begin receiving reports from consultants and committees who are studying the options in late April. Over the following few months, council will evaluate the information and determine whether to put any measures on the ballot for voter consideration in November.
In the meantime, the city is working to inform the community about the project and encourage public input about the important choices that lie ahead.
This week, the city posted a short animated video to its YouTube channel and on the energy future website to provide information about the community’s vision. That video can be viewed at http://www.BoulderEnergyFuture.com. Members of the community are encouraged to share this through social media and other venues.
The city has also launched a two-minute online survey that gives community members the opportunity to share their energy knowledge and help prioritize the objectives the city is considering. That survey can be accessed and shared via the energy future website or at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/503292/City-of-Boulder-Energy-Future.
Boulder’s Energy Future has already become a frequent topic on Boulder Channel 8 programming. This month, the program A Boulder View included an interview with Councilman Matt Appelbaum, who fielded many of the tough questions the community has asked about the initiative. That video can be viewed at http://bit.ly/energyfutureview.
In addition to these digital-based efforts, city staff and team members will be answering questions and talking to residents about Boulder’s Energy Future at a variety of community events over the next couple of months. You can find city staff each week at the Farmer’s Market, and on Tuesday, April 12, project team members will be at King Soopers, 3600 Table Mesa Drive, in south Boulder. Similar events will take place at other locations in following weeks. Please stop by.
Anyone seeking more information about the Energy Future project or community outreach is encouraged to visit www.BoulderEnergyFuture.com or call Andrew Barth at 303-441-1937 or Sarah Huntley at 303-441-3155.
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Deadline approaching for public input to Community Wildfire Protection Plan
0January 6, 2011
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County is in the process of developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to help mitigate the impact of future wildfires. The county and its partners are seeking input from residents in the form of policy and programmatic recommendations to be included in the plan and volunteers to serve on the plan’s Advisory Team.
The deadline for submitting recommendations and signing up for the Advisory Team is Wednesday, Jan. 12. Guidelines and submission forms are available at www.BoulderCountyCWPP.org.
“We have already received many important recommendations from residents on our website,” said Jim Webster, Community Wildfire Protection Planner in the Boulder County Land Use Department. “However, we know there are others who have come up with noteworthy ideas during this past year that have not yet shared their recommendations.”
Topics of the recommendations received to date include improving communication, planning evacuation and access routes, educating the public on wildfire mitigation, installing fire danger signs, collecting slash, funding fire suppression, and declaring and enforcing county fire bans.
“After this past year, not many initiatives are of equal importance,” Advisory Team member Kitty Stevenson said. “It is really exciting to see a community plan being developed on a larger countywide scale. It is important that people from all parts of Boulder County participate.”
All individuals who apply and make the necessary commitment will be accepted to serve on the Advisory Team. No previous wildfire experience is r
