Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan | Livable

New urban development may only occur in Area 1-Urban Lands and only if adequate facilities and services are available or anticipated by the city through the Capital Improvements Program.

The county regulates development and redevelopment in Area 2-Urban Edge as allowed by the Boulder County Land Use Code. The county will not allow new urban development in Area 2-Urban Edge. Annexation into the city and a change to Area 1-Urban Lands, shall be required prior to or concurrent with any approval for new urban development. The county sends applications for development in Area 2-Urban Edge to the city for comment.

The city will not annex properties outside the boundaries of the Boulder Valley Planning Area. Annexations are primarily initiated through a property owner petition process except as otherwise allowed by state law including, but not limited to, annexation of enclaves and city-owned property.

Properties located in Area 2-Urban Edge are eligible to be considered for annexation and a change to Area 1-Urban Lands. The city encourages annexation of the following types of Area 2-Urban Edge properties:

• Properties entirely contained within the city (enclaves), substantially developed properties along the western boundary that are below (east of) the Blue Line and other substantially developed properties adjacent to the city.
• Properties that resolve an issue of public health concern without creating additional development impacts.
• Properties that offer significant development or redevelopment potential if they offer a special opportunity or community benefit to the city.

The city allows annexation and a change to Area 1-Open Lands of Area 3-Rural Preservation or Area 3-Planning Reserve properties only in the following circumstances:

• Publicly-owned properties that will remain rural in character and require less than a full range of urban services or that are included under city jurisdiction for health, welfare and safety reasons.
• Portions of modestly sized privately owned parcels located in Area 3-Rural Preservation if they are annexed with portions of the same parcel located in Area 2-Urban Edge to avoid split jurisdiction.

The city considers the annexation of land with significant development or redevelopment potential only if it offers a special opportunity or benefit to the city. The creation of permanently affordable housing will be emphasized as a community benefit, but other benefits such as preservation of significant environmental and/or historic resources, dedication of land and/or facilities for public purposes, improvement of public health conditions, or other community benefits may also be considered. As part of annexation, the city will not require properties with existing development that are seeking no greater density or building size to provide the same level of community benefit until an application for greater development is submitted.

The city requires annexation before the full range of urban facilities and services are provided. The city may provide new services and facilities in phases to substantially developed areas that are annexed and may require upgrades to meet city standards if they are needed to protect community health and safety. The city and county collaborate with urban service providers to reduce duplication of efforts, and to maximize economic and resource efficiencies to provide the public with reliable and equitable levels of service.

The City of Boulder should be the sole provider of the full range of urban facilities and services for new urban development. Urban facilities and services provided by the city are public water, public sewer, stormwater and flood management, urban fire protection and emergency medical care, urban police protection, urban transportation and urban parks. The city will locate improvements necessary to deliver urban services, where reasonably practicable, within the municipal boundary.

The city requires adequate urban facilities and services based on established level of service standards to be available prior to or concurrent with new urban development and redevelopment.

The city plans and invests in urban facilities and services as determined by the Capital Improvements Program. New urban development or redevelopment is expected to pay its fair share, including the cost of providing necessary facilities and an equitable share of services.

The city does not provide public water or sewer infrastructure and associated services above (west of) the Blue Line. In 2016, the city adopted Ordinance 8133 to change the location of the Blue Line. Ordinance 8133 was intended to clarify the location of the Blue Line and permit water service to existing development in the area. Land in Area 2-Urban Edge that was moved below (east of) the Blue Line with Ordinance 8133 shall be considered substantially developed and no additional dwelling units may be added upon annexation.

The city works with the Colorado State Demography Office to develop projections of the city population and employment for 20 years into the future. Projections are based on trends and will be used to anticipate long-term changes, analyze issues and opportunities that could occur during this period, plan for long-term infrastructure needs and coordinate Boulder Valley planning with regional and state projections.

The city and county preserve rural land uses and character in the Boulder Valley including natural settings and ecosystems, agriculturally significant lands, hazard areas, vistas, significant cultural and historic resources and established rural residential areas.

The city works with the community to shape how different areas evolve over time in varying ways and degrees. Change across the community will contribute to the unique and authentic character of different areas while supporting citywide goals.

The city encourages the continued use and reuse of existing buildings for new purposes to recognize local history and architecture, activate vacant or under-utilized spaces, contribute to neighborhood activity and retain embodied carbon by reducing demolition and the creation of unnecessary building material waste.

The city and county work together to ensure urban development is focused within Area 1-Urban Lands to utilize existing urban services, maintain a clear boundary between urban and rural areas and avoid patterns of leapfrog, non-contiguous, scattered development within the Boulder Valley. The city encourages redevelopment and infill within municipal boundaries alongside consideration of managed expansion of the Service Area, as allowed by Area 2-Urban Edge and the Area 3-Planning Reserve, to create a compact city and prevent the negative consequences of urban sprawl.

The city aligns land use and transportation planning to integrate a variety of neighborhoods with a range of uses into a well-connected, safe, local and regional network of mobility choices. The city supports higher activity near multimodal corridors and transit centers that provide enhanced mobility choices and facilities. The city and county collaborate on transit investments and improvements so that local and regional transit systems are well integrated.

The city encourages the evolution of “15-minute neighborhoods.” 15-minute neighborhoods are diverse, inclusive and connected areas in which services and amenities are easily and equitably accessible within 15 minutes from home for pedestrians of all abilities. The city encourages improvements that can enhance access to services and amenities, especially in areas that are currently underserved.

The city and county identify, evaluate, designate, and steward historic places, archaeological resources, and cultural landscapes to connect the past with the future and support sustainability, equity and resilience. Preserving intangible cultural heritage such as traditions, practices, knowledge, and living relationships to place, elevating diverse stories that foster a shared sense of belonging and shaping how places change over time honors the full diversity of the Boulder Valley to help the community understand where it has been, where it is, and where it is going.

The city expects urban development and public places to be designed and built to achieve high standards of excellence. New public and private projects should respond to and enhance Boulder’s unique sense of place, including its natural resources and ecosystems, architectural character and significant historic and cultural resources.

The city recognizes that areas with distinct character, and oftentimes atypical or unusual design, provide a special connection to place and embrace the diversity and creativity of the Boulder community. The city values such places and encourages imaginative architecture, cutting-edge technologies and use of creative tools and strategies in limited circumstances to allow for their creation or preservation.

The city and county will pursue efforts to improve the energy- and resource-efficiency of new and existing buildings and encourage on-site renewable energy generation. Energy conservation regulation and programs will balance the community’s goals for energy efficiency with the challenges of affordability.

The city encourages redevelopment activity that advances community goals for housing, economic vitality, historic preservation, social connection, environmental sustainability and equitable access to services. The city may use a variety of tools and strategies, at its discretion, including the creation of public/private partnerships and district financing tools.

The city and the county support the physical, mental and behavioral wellness of community members through collaborating with organizations that provide health and wellness services and providing direct services where appropriate. The city and the county recognize the importance of providing these services to community members that face greater barriers to health services, and after significant events or periods of disruption.

The city will support small-scale commercial activity in residential areas to help community members access everyday needs and contribute to the goal of 15-minute neighborhoods. Spaces may include small-scale standalone commercial uses at key locations, home-based businesses, accessory commercial units or live-work forms that offer affordable options for local businesses, cottage industries and creatives. The city will support equitable pathways for both property owners and tenants to participate in and benefit from these opportunities.

The city and county encourage the development and preservation of stable, accessible and affordable housing throughout the community as well as place-based services to address the unique needs of people with disabilities or health conditions, older adults and any anyone who requires additional housing support.

The city and county collaborate to support and resource the transition of people experiencing homelessness into safe homes and to help them maintain their housing through the provision of comprehensive supportive services, behavioral health assistance, community building and social integration. Housing solutions respect the dignity, autonomy and diversity of people experiencing homelessness.

The city supports increasing the housing supply by promoting of housing types and price points that are more affordable, including middle housing types and middle-income housing, throughout the city that enable people to remain in and join the community as their needs, incomes and household compositions change over time.

The city and county support the protection and rehabilitation of existing manufactured home communities and support increasing opportunities for resident ownership.

The city and county support an age-inclusive community that is responsive to population trends toward an aging population and recognizes the importance of attracting and retaining young professionals and households with children. An age-inclusive community has appropriate infrastructure, services, housing, education, accessible childcare, social infrastructure, entertainment and programs that benefit all members from children to older adults.

The city promotes the health and well-being of the entire Boulder community by providing high quality parks, facilities, programs and space for events. The city supports access to services for young people, older adults, those with low-income and those with disabilities. The city will prioritize thoughtful planning and management to ensure public spaces and services are designed to build social cohesion, support health and well-being and advance access for all.

The city supports urban agriculture, including greenhouses, in community and private spaces to combat food insecurity, extend growing capacity in Boulder’s climate, and promote equitable access to healthy, locally grown foods.