Newsletter -
September 3, 1999
THE LAND USE COALITION
P.O. Box 20265
Boulder, CO 80308-3265
303-666-7903
http://landusecoalition.org
Dear Member,
We would like to invite you all to the following:
On Wednesday, September 15th, the Land Use Coalition is sponsoring a public forum on the County's BLM proposal, featuring Jan Fackrell of the BLM, who will be there to explain the current situation, and to answer questions.
We know that the 2500 acres of BLM land is available to the County at $3.50 an acre, or $8,750, under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The Act guarantees access to landowners within the BLM land. However, the County proposed to buy this 2500 acres at fair market value, estimated to be worth between $7,000,000 and $12,000,000, which would allow the County to set their own rules regarding access.
Many mountain landowners believe the County's motive is not to acquire more land for parks and open space as much as it is to throttle individual adjacent landowners' access and building rights. The Land Use Coalition is attempting to illuminate this issue in terms of the economics and purpose of the County's proposal. You won't want to miss this informative evening! Put this date on your calendar: September 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Boulder Depot (at 30th and Pearl, behind the Mann 6 Theater).
Our survey of residents who have undergone site plan review continues, and we should have results soon. We were asked to present information to the interim Colorado Legislative Committee on Growth Management, which may propose legislation for the upcoming session.
We are also planning and participating in the Economic Summit sponsored by the City of Boulder's Human Relations Commission. The main theme of the conference is how land use policies affect economic success within the City and County of Boulder. The conference will be held on October 9th at Boulder High, 17th and Arapahoe in Boulder, from 8:00AM to 4:30PM.
Most important, we have kept the issue of property rights in front of the press and the people of Boulder County. Our group has accomplished many things during its short existence. Senators, Representatives and others have credited us with passing the takings bill in the last legislative session. We worked to prevent slope regulations from being passed, and have contributed to the Slopes Advisory Committee's study of that issue, as well as their inquiry into the Site Plan Review process. The Boulder County Land Use Department has already implemented some changes in the process, which are more landowner-friendly.
To accomplish these things, we have kept you informed of significant events and deadlines, and urged action when calls and letters from us would help educate our politicians. When land use issues are in the news, the press and other interested groups are contacting the Land Use Coalition for information and our point of view.
We'd love to have your participation in these efforts. We've formed standing committees, and our steering committee meets weekly to discuss our goals and progress.
We need your help. Please consider joining a committee and work with us as we strive to achieve our goals. We need you to take this opportunity to make a difference: contact one of our members directly (see below) and ask how you can help out.
Our next few meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays, September 7, 14, and 21 at the ReMax office at 2425 Canyon Boulevard, Suite 200, in Boulder. Meetings start at 6:00pm (bring your dinner!). You can check the web site for meeting times and dates, or our voice mail message at 303-666-7903.
This is a truly rewarding experience in individual activism. Think of how much can be accomplished when dedicated people of action come together to work for change!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)
Take care and hope to see you soon!
AJ Chamberlin
President of the Land Use Coalition
SPR Survey Committee - Betty Gibbs (303) 444-6032, bgibbs@csn.org
County Land Use Monitoring Committee - David Heuston, (303) 447-1688, daheuston@rmi.net
Fund Raising Committee - Dirk Arnold, (303) 545-1966
BLM Committee - Brett Gibson, (303) 444-0882, bldmtnldge@aol.com
Economic Summit Committee - A.J. Chamberlin, (303) 449-7000, aj@boulderco.com
Legislative Oversight Committee - Judd Ptak, (303) 258-3457, jptak@eagle-access.net
For more information contact the Land Use Coalition at contactus@landusecoalition.org or call 303-666-7903.
Last updated October 27, 2003.
URL: http://landusecoalition.org/sept99_newsletter.htm