Posts tagged Boulder County
Boulder County to regulate gas and oil?
May 24th
Boulder County, Colo. – Staff from Boulder County Land Use and other departments will host an open house on May 31 to give interested residents more information about the process and steps the county intends to follow for considering changes to the oil and gas policies in the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, which will be followed by revisions to the Land Use Code regulations.
What: Boulder County Comprehensive Plan oil and gas policies open house
When: Thursday, May 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63rd St., Boulder
The event will include a short staff presentation at 7 p.m.
Staff will be located at stations throughout the open house to answer questions and provide information about the county’s plans for responding to oil and gas development issues. Stations will include information about the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, open space, public health and transportation.
Background & Timeline
- Feb. 2 – The Board of County Commissioners approve a temporary moratorium on the processing of the required development plans for local oil and gas permits under the county Land Use Code (Resolution 2012-16) and release a statement detailing their concerns about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county.
- March 1 – Public hearing for commissioners to hear staff presentations and public testimony. After the four-hour hearing, commissioners direct staff to continue gathering information about the impacts of oil and gas drilling on air, water, land, roads and infrastructure.
- April 16 – Commissioners vote unanimously to extend temporary moratorium on processing of applications for oil and gas development in unincorporated parts of the county until Feb. 4 (Resolution 2012-46).
Boulder County remains concerned about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county, and supports appropriate, tighter restrictions on drilling and increased local control to mitigate the impacts of these activities. While the moratorium is in place, the county is endeavoring to ensure its Comprehensive Plan and Land Use regulations are as thorough and up-to-date as possible.
For more information about the county’s role in oil and gas development, upcoming meetings and public involvement opportunities, visit the county’s Oil and Gas Development webpage or contact Jim Webster at 720-564-2600 or jbwebster@bouldercounty.org.
Boulder County senior's get prop. tax break after all
May 24th
Boulder County, Colo. – The senior property tax exemption has been reinstated for property tax year 2012, payable for taxes due in 2013.
Residents who have been approved for the exemption will see it reflected on their January 2013 tax bill. For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of the primary residence is exempted from property tax. This results in approximately $500 in savings.
Once an exemption application is filed and approved by the Assessor, the exemption remains in effect until a disqualifying event occurs. The Assessor’s Office maintains records for those who have applied in the past, but residents are encouraged to contact the office and verify their information.
For new applicants, the exemption application must be submitted by July 16. For questions regarding the exemption, please call the Assessor’s Office at 303-441-3530 or view the application forms and instructions at www.BoulderCountyAssessor.org.
Sale and use of fireworks prohibited in Boulder County
May 22nd
All other aspects of the current ban remain in place, including the prohibition of open burning in the unincorporated mountains and foothills, including all areas west of the North Foothills Highway and Rabbit Mountain Open Space; areas north of the City of Boulder; west of Broadway Avenue through the City of Boulder; and west of the South Foothills Highway.
The decision to amend the ban was due in part to the predicted weather forecasts indicating higher than normal temperatures with lower than normal precipitation. The Fire Danger Rating continuously remains in the high to very high categories, with fire fuels continuing to dry out. As the Fourth of July holiday draws near, individuals begin to sell and use fireworks, which increase the potential for an ignition source and a large fire similar to the Hewlett Fire currently burning in Larimer County, or the Lower North Fork Fire in Jefferson County earlier this year.
Taking into consideration that firework vendors begin hiring temporary employees and purchasing fireworks for their stands, Sheriff Pelle wanted to address these concerns sooner than later. At this time, Boulder County had only received one application from a fireworks vendor to sell fireworks this year.
The fire ban will remain in effect until the hazardous fire conditions subside.
Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted of a class 2 petty offense and may be subject to a $500 fine. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.