Boulder County board tables controversial Rodriguez TDR/PUD sketch plan after hours of testimony; staff had recommended denial

Boulder County planning staff recommended denial on May 6 of a sketch plan filed by Shannon and Efrain Rodriguez that seeks to use transfer development rights (TDRs) to subdivide a 39.5‑acre rural residential parcel at 6184 Niwot Road into four residential lots (one existing home plus three new lots).

“Staff recommended the Board of County Commissioners deny docket SD‑23‑003 Rodriguez TDR/PUD,” said Pete LaRoche, community planning and permitting staff, after a 45‑minute staff presentation that summarized referral responses, criteria analysis and environmental and infrastructure concerns.

The sketch plan would make the parcel a receiving site in the county’s TDR program and require a conservation easement over most of the property if approved. LaRoche told the Board staff reviewed 90 criteria, objectives and guidelines and concluded 18 criteria were not met at the sketch plan stage, 53 were met or could be met, and 19 do not apply. Staff specifically found the proposal inconsistent with multiple Comprehensive Plan policies — including agricultural preservation, clustering of development, and limitations on new building sites outside mapped community service areas — and raised concerns about environmental conservation areas, shallow groundwater, stormwater and septic feasibility.

“This is a request for…