Boulder explores comprehensive plan concepts for land use and community engagement

Boulder City Council and Planning Board members convened on May 22, 2025, to discuss several potential concepts aimed at reshaping the city's comprehensive plan. The meeting focused on gathering feedback from council members regarding the viability of these concepts for further exploration and community engagement.

The planning team presented a series of ideas that emerged from community conversations and insights gained at a recent national planning conference. They emphasized that the goal of the meeting was not to seek immediate approval but to determine if these concepts warranted additional research and discussion.

One significant proposal involves revisiting the comprehensive plan's future land use map. The team suggested that the current detailed, parcel-by-parcel approach may be too rigid and could benefit from a more generalized framework. This change aims to simplify land use designations, which currently number 26 and often overlap, causing confusion among stakeholders.

Another concept discussed was the exploration of areas outside city limits that are eligible for annexation. The planning team is considering how these areas could address community housing needs and what infrastructure would be necessary to support such developments. This includes evaluating the potential for increased density in these regions.

Additionally, the council discussed the concept of "targeted universalism," which focuses on using data to assess how different policies impact various communities. This approach aims to ensure that all neighborhoods can achieve common goals, even if they require different levels of support.

The planning team outlined a structured approach for the summer and fall, which includes modeling land use changes using a digital twin of the city, employing a racial equity instrument to evaluate impacts, conducting case studies from other cities, and engaging the community to gauge their appetite for change.

As the council and planning board move forward, the emphasis will be on thoughtful analysis and community involvement to ensure that any proposed changes align with the needs and values of Boulder residents. The next steps will involve deeper research and community conversations to refine these concepts into actionable policies.