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Boulder council sends planning commission a joint charge: review zoning ordinance and general plan
Summary
Council debated sequencing for land-use changes and asked the planning commission to review both Chapter 1-53 (zoning) and the general plan, consider whether a rewrite or targeted clean-up is needed, and report back with recommendations and resource needs.
During a lengthy work session the council discussed whether to prioritize a wholesale rewrite of the zoning ordinance (Chapter 1-53) to remove conflicting definitions and make the code administrable, or to revise the general plan first to clarify town vision and then update zoning to match.
Council members were divided. One group urged a zoning-first approach: rewrite the zoning chapter as a standalone, implementable ordinance (a ‘‘start‑over’’ template similar to the recent subdivision rewrite), then adapt the general plan as necessary. Proponents argued the current zoning chapter is a mix of past revisions and is often unreadable or unenforceable. Another group argued the general plan sets the town’s vision and goals and should be clarified first so any zoning rewrite implements that vision without changing fundamental community goals.
Council asked the planning commission to examine both options at their next meeting, prepare a recommendation about whether to (1) rewrite Chapter 1-53 now as a standalone implementable ordinance, (2) focus on clarifying the general plan and then align zoning, or (3) pursue a phased approach. The council discussed convening a joint meeting with the planning commission and possibly engaging outside legal or planning consultants to provide a template or technical assistance.
The council identified commercial‑zone clarity, table-of-uses cleanup and clearer development‑application procedures as priorities. Staff and commissioners agreed to schedule follow-up discussions and return recommendations for how to proceed with public outreach and hearings.
