Smart Growth Hall Of Fame 2001
Ten Examples Of Good Planning Decisions In Colorado

A. Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan
Year 2000 Major Update

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The year 2000 Major Update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP) was completed in 4 phases. The first phase included developing affordable housing and mixed-use prototypes, identifying potential locations, creating city-wide options for adding housing and mixed use development and conducting an impact analysis of the options. The second phase was a major public outreach effort that included accepting applications for proposed changes from the public, printing newspaper advertisements, distributing a questionnaire and videotape, and conducting a telephone survey. 676 residents responded to the questionnaire and 401 telephone surveys were completed. The city and county facilitated 25 presentations and discussion groups, a community forum, and 2 mixed use workshops. The third phase consisted of analyzing all of the public input and preparing recommendations for changes to the plan. The fourth and final phase was the adoption phase. The changes to the plan were approved by the Boulder City Council, the City of Boulder Planning Board, the Boulder County Planning Commission, and the Boulder County Commissioners.

Elements of Good Planning: Overall, the update to the BVCP reduces projected job growth by 4,000 while increasing housing by 1,500 units (30% of which are affordable). While this does not cure the immediate and increasing problem of commuters, it is a step in the right direction. The update the BVCP lays out several elements of good planning include:

• Increases the amount of affordable housing—the update sets a target for at least 10% of the total housing stock to be permanently affordable (achieved through deed restrictions) for low to moderate income households within 10 years. This change is projected to add 1500 housing units, of which, approximately 30% will be permanently affordable. The City also passed an inclusionary zoning ordinance in 2000 that requires new residential development to provide at least 20% of its total units as permanently affordable.
  
  
• Tightened the Urban Growth Boundary. Under the BVCP, Boulder Valley is divided into 3 major areas. Area I is the City of Boulder; Area II is county land that can be annexed to the city-new urban development can only occur concurrent with adequate facilities and services; Area III is the remaining County land. This third area is divided into two sub-areas: Area III-Rural Preservation Area, which is set aside to preserve rural land uses and character, and Area III-Planning Reserve Area, which maintains the option for expanded urban development after this 15-yr planning period. The Update reapportioned these areas with an emphasis on preservation.
  
  
• Preserves Open Space: The update transfers 197 acres from Area III-Planning Reserve Area to Area III-Rural Preservation Area. 80 acres were moved from Area II to Area III-Rural Preservation Area---totaling 277 acres preserved.
  
  
• Provides incentives for mixed use: The update designated several sites for mixed use development and removed regulatory barriers to encourage mixed-use development in these areas (i.e. gives density bonuses tied to affordable housing developments).
  
  
• Implements Sustainability: The update defines sustainability, commits the Boulder Valley to take action for sustainability, and develops indicators for sustainability for the Valley to measure its progress.

Involved parties: City of Boulder and Boulder County

Location: Boulder Valley

Status: The Year 2000 Major Update to BVCP was approved in September 2001

Open Space in Boulder Valley (Courtesy of the City of Boulder)

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