Boulder County Open House on Green Building Requirements

Next Tuesday, January 9, from 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Boulder County Planning staff will host an open house to hear the public's thoughts re: potential changes to the Comprehensive Plan. These changes would restrict the size of homes and/or require certain building materials for homes built in unincorporated Boulder County.

I've made my opinion known on this issue, and here is what even the County staff lists as a "con" to the proposals:

"Adopting such a program will not make any difference in resource use unless land use policies are changed to allow for mixed use and cluster development".

It is unlikely the Commissioners are going to change growth controls to allow for such multi-unit dwellings. So the mandate of certain building materials is raw heavy-handed government regulation. If the Commissioners make the green building mandatory without the attendant density changes that make such a program truly impactful, it will be a hollow feel-good victory for their environmentalist supporters. Go to this meeting to press them for more pragmatic regulation.

The meeting will be at the Boulder County Parks and Open Space offices at 5201 St. Vrain Rd in Longmont. For more info, call Michelle Kresek 720-564-2623 or check online. Check the Staff recommendations for change here.