MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOULDER COUNTY

Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 1:30 P.m. - 2:30 P.m.

Third Floor Hearing Room

County Court House

1325 Pearl Street, Boulder

Members Present:

• Commissioner Claire Levy
• Commissioner Marta Loachamin

Members Excused:

• Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann

[Note: All documents referred to in these Minutes of Commissioners’ Proceedings are on file and may be reviewed in the Office of the Boulder County Commissioners.]

 

 

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1.

Call to Order

The Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County met in Regular Meeting in full conformity with the law and resolution of said Board at the regular place of hybrid meetings, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder and on Zoom Webinar, on March 28, 2024. 

The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:05 a.m. by Vice-Chair Marta Loachamin. 

Commissioner Stolzmann is excused on Thursday, March 28, 2024. 

2.

9:00 a.m. Public Hearing

2.a

East Boulder Creek Site Management Plan for Prairie Run Open Space

The plan outlines the department’s land management strategies for 1,377 acres of public land that will be Prairie Run Open Space when open to the public. The plan embodies the department’s multifaceted mission of conservation and public use that reflects the community’s values. With respect to conservation and stewardship components, the plan includes the protection of wildlife habitat, the continuation of sustainable agriculture, and the restoration of wetlands and stream corridors associated with both Boulder and Coal Creeks. Addressing community requests for access and recreation, the department’s plan proposes a variety of recreational opportunities while also respecting the important natural features of the site. The Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee unanimously recommended conditional approval to the Board of County Commissioner’s at the December 14, 2023, meeting. As directed by the BOCC at the Jan. 25, 2024, hearing, staff took Commissioner Levy out to the site one more time before this hearing.

• Action Requested: Decision
• Presenter(s): Heidi Wagner (In Person)
• Location: Hybrid (Hearing Room and Zoom Webinar)

This public hearing was called to order at 9:05 a.m.

Staff Presenter(s):

Heidi Wagner, Parks & Open Space Department

Jeff Moline, Parks & Open Space Department

Other Presenter(s):

Patrick Hammer, Town of Erie

County Attorneys Present:

Conrad Lattes

Public Speaker(s):

1. Bev Baker, Boulder County Audubon Society
2. Patrick Hammer, Town of Erie Parks & Recreation Department
3. Tony Lewis, Unincorporated Boulder County
4. Diann Yandrich, Unincorporated Boulder County
5. Cathern Smith, Louisville
6. Helen Tuck, Erie
7. Tana Matzuk, Erie
8. Bill Arnold, Longmont
9. Ken Martin, Erie
10. Colleen Elliott, Unincorporated Boulder County
11. Erin Angel, Longmont
12. Jorge Crespo Cruz, Longmont
13. Angelica Chavez, Longmont
14. Alondra Cabrera, Longmont
15. Natalie Gonzales, Longmont
16. Ashley Flores, Longmont
17. Juan Arredondo, Longmont
18. Heydy Flores, Longmont
19. Marie Hanna, Erie
20. Tim Trapp, Erie
21. Dana Shield, Erie
22. Wendy Sweet, Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance
23. Dan Friend, Boulder Creek Trail
24. Dwight Reifsnyder, City of Boulder
25. John Cooney, Erie
    
    

The commissioners went into recess from 12:00-12:08 p.m.

The commissioners' public hearing adjourned at 12:21 p.m.

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Loachamin

  to conditionally approve the East Boulder Creek Site Management Plan for Prairie Run Open Space in accordance with staff recommendations, and with additional conditions as discussed and contained within the official record. 

  Carried

3.

1:30 p.m. Public Hearings

3.a

Community Planning & Permitting Department Docket LU-24-0002: Old St. Vrain Road Reach Restoration

Limited Impact Special Review request for approximately 12,000 cubic yards of earthwork/grading related to ecological restoration of the Old St. Vrain Road Reach at 530 Old St. Vrain Road, and 0 and 31074 S St. Vrain Road. The application is submitted by The Watershed Center, c/o Yana Sorokin (applicant) and Biohabitats, c/o Mike Lighthiser (agent). The subject property is in the Agricultural (A) zoning district at 530 Old St. Vrain Road, 0 Old St. Vrain Road, and 31074 S St. Vrain Road, located on Old St. Vrain Road, approximately 1 mile south and west of the intersection of State Highway 7 and Old St. Vrain Road, in Section 24 and 25, Township 3N, Range 71W, and Section 19, Township 3N, Range 70W.

• Action Requested: Decision
• Presenter(s): Pete L’Orange (In Person)
• Location: Hybrid (Hearing Room and Zoom Webinar)

This public hearing was called to order at 1:32 p.m.

Staff Presenter(s):

Pete L'Orange, Community Planning & Permitting

Other Presenter(s):

Deb Hummel, Applicant

Public Speaker(s):

Ernst Strenge, Boulder County Employee 

The commissioners' public hearing adjourned at 1:53 p.m.

Commissioner Lochamin requested a 5-minute recess. 

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Loachamin

  to conditionally approve Docket LU-24-0002 in accordance with staff recommendations, commitments of record by applicant, and with additional conditions as discussed and contained within the official record. 

  Carried

3.b

Community Planning & Permitting Department: City of Longmont - Boulder County Comprehensive Development Plan Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)

Adoption of a comprehensive development plan intergovernmental agreement to plan for and regulate land uses, to minimize the negative impacts on the surrounding areas and protect the environment, and to cooperate and contract with each other for the purposes of planning and regulating the development of land by means of a “comprehensive development plan”.

• Action Requested: Decision
• Presenter(s): Hannah Hippely
• Location: Hybrid (Hearing Room and Zoom Webinar)

This public hearing was called to order at 2:00 p.m.

Staff Presenter(s):

Hannah Hippely, Community Planning & Permitting

Public Speaker(s):

No one was present to provide public comment.

The commissioners' public hearing adjourned at 2:24 p.m.

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Loachamin

  to approve the adoption of IGA-24-0002 in accordance with staff recommendations and with additional conditions as discussed and contained within the official record. 

  Carried