We have two new items, and some updates on the issues we mentioned in our last issue of this newsletter. Here's what's on The Rural Radar this month:
New item: The application to build a private tennis complex on Gunbarrel Hill was officially withdrawn on September 16.
This marks the end of a vigorous and ultimately successful effort to stop this proposal. The group that organized against the proposal states, "Thanks everyone who wrote letters, displayed signs and banners, attended meetings, and signed the petition. You helped protect rural Gunbarrel and specifically the burrowing owl nesting grounds!" The group's website and efforts have really set the gold standard for community action. Congratulations!
New item: The first community outreach event for the update of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan is October 19.
The City of Boulder invites the community to attend an event celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, and and kicking off the update of the Plan. The BVCP covers the City of Boulder and many areas of Boulder County. It is jointly developed by the County Commissioners and the City of Boulder. This is an important opportunity to provide input on how you want your community to evolve in the future. See the City's website for details of the family-friendly event, which is Saturday October 19 from 1-4 pm at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder. Other events will occur as the update planning proceeds over the coming months.
The Planning Commission Hearing for the 63rd Street Subdivision proposal is set:
October 16 @ 1:30 pm at the Boulder County Courthouse.
After suspending their original proposal last October, the applicants are back with a revised proposal (SD-23-0003) for a subdivision at the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road. (This is the issue that we fought last year and that prompted us to start the Pro-RURAL Alliance!)
Update: A new petition opposing the subdivision has gathered over 900 signatures since August 25. And 67 letters opposing the development have been submitted to Boulder County since that date, with only 1 letter in support.
Update: The Planning Commission Hearing is set for October 16. The group opposing this subdivision is asking the community to sign up to speak at the hearing, or to simply attend the hearing to support the opposition speakers. The group is seeking attendees who will donate their speaking time to a block of speakers that the community is organizing.
See the opposition website, stop63rdstreetsubdivision.org, to find information about the issue and the hearing, sign the new petition, and submit comments to Boulder County.
The property is part of a historic rural/agricultural area, falls in the County’s category of Agricultural Lands of Statewide Significance, is recognized as a Protected View Corridor, and is adjacent to rural farms and ranches that define the character of the area.
Bicyclists, runners, nature enthusiasts, equestrians, and other recreationalists from throughout the County use this area extensively.
“Chipping away” at this 40-acre parcel for development is not in tune with the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, and would set a new precedent that would threaten rural properties everywhere in Boulder County.
Last chance to submit your comments about a proposed industrial-scale solar facility adjacent to a residential area.
The final Hearing is October 10 at 9 am.
A recent proposal by Pivot Solar Farm (Docket SU-24-0002) would construct a high-density industrial solar farm on agricultural lands of national importance in close proximity to residential areas.
The location is 9215 Arapahoe Road, bordered on two sides by large residential developments.
To our knowledge, there is no precedent in Boulder County for a facility of this size being located so close to residential. The visual impact for residents and along Arapahoe would be enormous.
The concern is that this would open the door for locating industrial projects on agricultural land and too close to homes.
The group opposing this has a website (https://www.protectbouldercountyfields.org) and is gathering signatures on a petition.
Update: The proposal has gotten the go-ahead in the first steps of the County process. It goes before the Board of County Commissioners for the final decision (10 October, 9:30 am). The public is invited to attend and speak at the hearing.
The group is seeking support from the broader community in signing the petition and writing letters to the County before this crucial hearing.
The opposition community’s contact for this issue is Suzie Bruch, suzieq@gmail.com.
Legal action to prevent Boulder County’s termination of the Kanemoto Conservation Easement is now with the Judge. We continue to await his ruling.
The opposition group (KARES, Keep Airport Road Environmental and Safe) has concluded the briefing on the Motion to Dismiss by filing its Reply Brief with the Boulder County District Court on 8-21-24. The entire case has been presented before Judge Gunning. The Court will review the KARES case for merit and decide if the Boulder County decision to terminate the Conservation Easement should be vacated. The group is now awaiting Judge Gunning's ruling, which is determined upon his caseload.
KARES is still in need of your generous contributions to cover the remaining legal expenses of this case. Please see the King Soopers contribution link on the KARES website for an easy way to donate by shopping at King Soopers at no cost to you.
A new strategy for locating a tennis facility in Boulder County has emerged.
A Boulder resident has come up with a new idea for how to get the County’s tennis enthusiasts back on the courts. The idea looks promising! The suggested site is some open space land between Louisville and Lafayette that already has nearby ball fields.
Says Steve LeBlang, the resident who has researched and proposed the idea: “It’s a perfect location. It’s flat. It’s on Highway 42. It has turn lanes. It has a signal there already. It has an entrance. A lot of the infrastructure, there’s utilities, water and sewer already available. You don’t have to bring anything. … I can’t think of a better location.”
Neither can we… and the Boulder Tennis Association appears to agree. See this link for their thoughts, and the Daily Camera article (possible paywall).