Posted on: August 22nd, 2011

Land Use Department begins update on Boulder County Comprehensive Plan

Community invited to provide input into future direction of county planning at a series of meetings held around the county from Aug. 30 through the beginning of October

Boulder County, Colo. – Over the course of the next 12-18 months, Boulder County staff will be leading a major effort to review and, where necessary, update the county’s Comprehensive Plan (BCCP) originally adopted in 1978. It is anticipated that any revisions to the plan will incorporate an emphasis on sustainable planning and living.

The first step in the process will be to introduce the existing comp plan to county residents, explore how the plan has shaped the county as it exists today, and provide reasons for initiating a complete review and modernization of the plan.

Gaining public input into the BCCP update effort is critical to planning for the future of Boulder County, and opportunities for residents to get involved in the process will begin with a series of meetings scheduled as follows:

• · Aug. 30     Allenspark Fire Station                    7-9 p.m.

14861 State Highway 7, Allenspark

• · Aug. 31     Nederland Community Center        7-9 p.m.

750 State Highway 72, Nederland

• · Sept. 14     Boulder County Recycling Center  7-9 p.m.

1901 63rd St., Boulder

• · Sept. 21     Lafayette Public Library                  6:30-8:30 p.m.

775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette

• · Sept. 26     Longmont – Boulder County            7-9 p.m.
  Parks & Open Space Building

5201 Saint Vrain Road, Longmont

• · Oct. 5        Niwot – Left Hand Grange              7-9 p.m.

195 Second Ave., Niwot

• · TBD          Open House

Date and location to be determined

Each meeting, led by the Boulder County Land Use Department, is expected to last two hours and follow a similar format, including:

• · A viewing of two videos, one on the BCCP and one on growth and planning in Boulder County since 1950;
• · An introduction of a new set of draft Guiding Principles that aim to incorporate established goals and objectives currently found in the plan, including land use and sustainability.
• · The solicitation of participants’ reactions, response and feedback on the draft Guiding Principles as well as a question and response session with county staff;
• · A discussion on next steps and information on how to stay informed and involved.

The goal of the meetings is to help attendees leave with a better understanding of the BCCP (what it is for and how it is used), contribute to the scope and content of the draft Guiding Principles, and become engaged in the broader comp plan update effort.

All residents of Boulder County are encouraged to attend, and it is hoped that diverse perspectives from around the county (including rural, mountain and urban communities) are well-represented at the meetings and throughout the formal public process for adopting a revised plan.

For more information, visit the county’s website at: Boulder County Comprehensive Plan Update or contact: Peter Fogg or Bill Davidson, Long Range Policy Team, at the Boulder County Land Use Department, 303-441-3930.

-BoulderCounty.org-

Background on the BCCP:

Originally adopted in 1978, the BCCP helps shape Boulder County land use regulations and provides direction to programs and plans administered by the county’s Parks and Open Space and Transportation departments, among others. It further helps promote strong relations among the county, its municipalities, all residents, and other jurisdictions.

The established goals in the BCCP help direct urban development into urban areas and maintain the agricultural, environmental resources, and rural character of the unincorporated areas of the county. Sections of the BCCP have been amended incrementally since 1978, but the plan has not had a full review, major revision or update since it was initially adopted.