By Ron Rovtar
Cherry Creek Properties LLC
303.981.1617
To some extent, the article also discusses the timing of the proposed initiatives, which would occur amidst the city's own in-depth look at the same issues, and other housing/development concerns.
Frankly, we think timing is by far the more important story.
Usurping a political/community process before it has played out is a bad idea under most circumstances. We think it is a very bad idea in this case.
The first proposed ballot measure would change the city charter to let neighborhoods vote on proposed land-use changes. The other would change the charter to require the city ensure new development pays enough in fees and taxes to maintain current levels of service.
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| An Early Community Meeting About Housing Policy Held at eTown |
A group called Livable Boulder will need to collect more than 4,000 valid signatures to get the measure on the ballot.
One quote in the Camera article baffles us, though it may speak to why the charter initiative is being proposed now. It suggests some residents feel unheard.
Ray Bridge, co-chair of PLAN-Boulder County says, "We have been saying for the last year that this needs to be a general community discussion, and that hasn't been happening"
It may be that backers of the initiatives feel unheard. If so, they've missed some chances.
In fact, there have been a unusually large number of opportunities to discuss these issues in public forums. The issues have been discussed at City Council meetings. City Planning Department held a large public meeting at eTown Hall. And five Housing Boulder working groups have each held several meetings, all open to the public.
While we've not always agreed with how the city manages its input opportunities, we have attended many public meetings about these issues. Some discussions have become quite lively!
And several additional community meetings are scheduled soon (see below).
Overall, it has been a very open process and we would like to see more residents take advantage of options to voice concerns.
We also would like to see Livable Boulder hold off and let the political/community process take its course. There are a lot of smart people in Boulder and we've heard good ideas form all sides.
These ballot measures may indeed have merit.
But here's the problem: Once a charter issue is on the ballot it's writ in stone. Voters choose "yes" or "no" to very exact language. If passed, there will be no further compromise, no third options, and no changes, small or large, without another vote.
The current process has much potential. It could arrive at solutions much better than a ballot measures proposed before the larger community has its say.
So a little patience is called for. Residents at least should see how the city responds after hearing from a wide array of stakeholders.
If the current process produces something unsatisfactory, then it might be time to seek charter changes.
In the meantime, a number of public meetings are coming up. We would like to see standing room only at each. We've published the information below elsewhere, but thought it might be useful to also publish here. Take a look. The first meeting is Monday,
UPCOMING MEETINGS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Boulder has announced a series of four neighborhood workshops to "explore possible options for housing in Boulder, and discuss what is right (or not) for individual neighborhoods."
There also will be an employer/employees workshop and a separate event to discuss affordability issues.
The neighborhood workshops offer residents a great opportunity to be heard during ongoing discussions leading to a new comprehensive plan.
The event about "Boulder's housing affordability challenges" promises interesting discussion. This meeting is scheduled for April 27, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Boulder, 1820 15th St.
"Four guest speakers from outside of Colorado will share their insights, examples of best practices, and observations about Boulder's housing challenges, then answer questions from the audience," according to he city. You will find more information about the speakers here.
And here is information about the other neighborhood meetings:
Central Boulder
Monday, May 11, 2015, 5:30- 7:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th St.
North Boulder
Thursday, May 14, 5-7 p.m. at the Boulder American Legion, 4760 28th St.
East Boulder
Wednesday, May 13, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Naropa Nalanda Event Center, 6287 Arapahoe Ave.
South Boulder
Monday, May 18, 2015, 5:30-7:30 p.m. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 4215 Grinnell Ave.
Employers and Employees
Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 3-5 p.m. Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway
Also, a City Council Briefing on Housing Boulder will be Tuesday, April 28, 5-6 p.m., Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway
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Ron Rovtar, Cherry Creek Properties, LLC, is a broker associate in Boulder, CO. Please call Ron with all your questions. He can be reached at 303.981.1617. To learn more about Ron, please visit his website. For more about life in Boulder County and nearby, check out our facebook page. Ron Rovtar does business as Front Range Real Estate, Ltd. All photos © Ron Rovtar
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