General Plan Discussion
Boulder Town Planning Commission, Public Hearing
March 23, 2006, 7:00 p.m.

Commissioners present: Elaine Roundy, Brian Dick, Eric Feiler, Mike Nelson, Connie Reid. Also present were secretary, Peg Smith; and Planning Consultant, Curtis Oberhansly.
Others attending: Don Montoya, Tim Clarke, Sergio Femenias, Cookie and Pete Schaus, Bill Muse, Dianne Oberhansly, Anselm Spring, Cynthia Low, Eric Scott, and Donna Owen.
Mike brought the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. He asked for any comments or additions to the February 23 minutes. Tim said he had some edits for the Land Use section and would add them when he meets with the wordsmithing committee.

General Plan: Chapter 9 (Economic Goals)
Some individuals expressed a little frustration with the comment process and wondered whether any of the comments would actually be acted upon as ordinances. Eric F. acknowledged the frustration, but reiterated the importance of first setting the vision within the General Plan.
The following points capture the range of discussion and do not necessarily connote consensus:
Chapter 9, Goal 1: Change "clean" business to "non-polluting" business.
• Acknowledge need to allow minimal or accessory parking for small or home-based businesses
• Recurring words throughout Plan are "agriculture,"" sustainable agriculture," and "cottage based industry" ---rewrite Chapter 9 to encompass these concepts
¬ promote small, home-based business that offer min impact to community
¬ facilitate farming/ranching
¬ protect small plot, living agriculture
¬ encourage and contain commercial development in a thoughtful manner
¬ establish architectural guidelines that reflect our heritage and character
• Question existing terminology of "strong architectural control." What does this mean and do we want it? Comment that original phrase related to commercial property, not residential. Donna asked why commercial property is subject to "controls" that equally visible residential property is not subject to.
• Comment: if Boulder is serious about architectural "guidelines," they should be written up and available to developers and builders. Architectural guidelines aren't about "sameness" but about heritage and quality. By cultivating the emphasis on maintaining "pioneer heritage," Boulder can encompass many styles. We can show examples of what can be done, what works, ways to site development appropriately for the type of landscape, and deal with issues on a case-by-case basis, not try to guidelines in the General Plan.
• Identify the big things that would impact the community. A major sub-division affects appearance of the town at least as much as does a commercial property.
• Add a Goal 2: re-examine existing zoning ordinances so as not to preclude business we want to encourage here (example was veterinarian discouraged from relocating here because of restrictions in current conditional use table).
• Address parking for periodic gatherings
• Need new clause as 1.5: encourage small business opportunities by researching rural and community development grants or other ways the town could provide incentives
Chapter 10 Transportation
All of chapter 10 needs rewriting.
• The first paragraph should be called "History," not "Introduction," and it's okay.
• Mike will provide updated traffic projections.
• Add information from the Horrocks Transportation Plan completed last year.
• Continue to support and promote EMTs, volunteer fire, search and rescue.
• Add words reflecting town's position on trail usage and types of trails through and around town. Consensus among the participants reflected desire that Boulder not be promoted as a recreational destination for motorized vehicles; that residents want to maintain its heritage by asserting that town trails are for horses, pedestrians, and cattle. Boulder wants to promote appropriate trails that are in keeping with the town's quiet, rural environment. In the same way, participants agreed that ATVs are useful and necessary tools in this environment, and their use in that manner needs to be protected.
Mike suggested ending the meeting with item 10.4. Connie moved for adjournment, with Brian seconding the motion. Mike adjourned the meeting at 8:25p.m.
The next General Plan hearing, scheduled for April 27, will pick up in at Chapter 10, Transportation, item 10.4.

Margaret Smith Date
Planning Commission Clerk

Approved:_________________________________ Date:______________________________________