Boulder County adopts site-plan review text amendments affecting size limits and review process

The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners on May 13 approved text amendments to the land use code addressing site-plan review, changing how presumed compatible building size is calculated and clarifying review procedures.

Natalie Springett of the County Attorney’s Office said the resolution replaces the existing “presumed compatible size” formulation — previously expressed as 25% of the median of a defined neighborhood — with a size limitation equal to the median of the defined neighborhood. Springett said the amendments also convert what had been a size presumption that could be overcome in certain circumstances into a formal size limitation, and clarified regulations and processes to improve public navigation of the rules and provide greater certainty to applicants and neighbors. She noted the item followed an April 22 public hearing, where the docket received a 2-to-1 vote and the motion to rescind a moratorium (Resolution 2024-070) passed 3-0.

One commissioner said before the vote that they intended to vote no because several requested amendments that would have made the restrictions more equitable were not accepted; the commissioner also said they support a 100% median presumption but could not support the package as presented. Commissioner 3 moved to approve item 5B and Commissioner 2 seconded; the board approved the docket on a recorded voice vote.

The changes take effect according to the implementation timeline in the adopted resolution and county staff will update guidance documents and public-facing materials to reflect the revised site-plan review standards.