Longmont City Council
On Jan. 28, council:
- Swore in Matthew Popkin, the new Ward 2 representative appointed Jan. 21 to replace Marcia Martin following her Dec. 31 resignation.
- Voted to allow a total of four cannabis hospitality licenses within the city of Longmont. License holders will be permitted to operate spaces where cannabis is used recreationally, including in spas and on-site consumption. However, the businesses will not be able to sell their own cannabis products within the stores.
- Postponed the decision date on the Quail Road annexation concept plan to a future meeting after listening to several hours of public testimony on the issue. The 17.3-acre land parcel, while well within the city’s outer limits, currently exists as a county enclave. If this concept plan is approved, the area will be rezoned from Agricultural to Residential Mixed Neighborhood to construct up to 310 market-rate rental units. The developer has discussed donating a portion of the land to Habitat for Humanity to build an unspecified number of for-sale affordable housing units. There is no contract in place.
Residents from the surrounding neighborhood filled the council chambers to speak out against the approval of this concept plan. Many wore red stop sign stickers emblazoned with the words “No more apts.”
Among resident concerns were a lack of compatibility with the current neighborhood, increased traffic in the area and the developer’s exclusion of for-sale and affordable units in the concept plan.
“Consider also whether it is best for the community as a whole that it leads us in the direction we want to go,” said Jen Morrison, a Longmont resident who spoke during the hearing, “because collectively, all these developments will determine not just what our city will look like, but who we are.”
According to Longmont’s 2023 housing needs assessment, the city is short of more than 2,100 affordable rental units for residents earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income.
Ultimately, council decided to postpone the discussion to their Feb. 4 meeting, allowing them time to discuss whether they will vote on the concept plan as is, or direct staff to make further amendments.
Boulder County Commissioners
On Feb. 4, commissioners will meet with CU Boulder chancellor Justin Schwartz at 1:30 p.m.; a location was not disclosed. A spokesperson for the commissioners said the meeting, hosted by the university, was not open to the public since “there are no county business items being discussed.”
On Feb. 5, commissioners will host a joint work session with the City of Boulder to discuss updating the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Members of the city and county’s governing and planning boards will be in attendance along with staff from both government agencies.
Officials and staff will “share information about existing conditions, provide a project progress update, and gather early input on the vision and focus areas for the next phase of work with the community,” according to an advanced agenda from Boulder County.
The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at CU Boulder’s University Memorial Center, Conference
Room 235, 1669 Euclid Ave. Public testimony will not be taken.
Learn more: bit.ly/CompPlanMeetingBW.
Lafayette City Council
At the Jan. 28 workshop council:
Received a presentation of three potential capital projects and financing options. Cost estimates assume a 2026 start date.
- Two options for renovation of the Aquatics Complex at the Bob Burger Recreation Center built in 1990. Both options include renovated office space and locker rooms.
- Option A: Replace and expand the aquatics area including a larger slide, warm water pool, indoor whirlpool and larger lap pool. Cost estimate: $29.2 million.
- Option B: Maintain current configuration, replace and modernize the entire infrastructure. Cost estimate: $17.7 million.
- Build a new City Hall on vacant land two blocks north of the current location (1290 S. Public Road). Staff estimates the need for an additional 12,000 square feet. Cost estimate: $33.5 million.
- Renovation and expansion of the Parks and Public Works Service Center built in 1973. All city vehicles are maintained and fueled at this facility, which also serves as a storage yard for equipment and supplies. The proposal combines two fleet maintenance areas into one, adds a new bay to the rear of the building, renovates shared spaces, adds offices and workstations and allows for the relocation of the open space staff to the center. Estimated cost: $6 million.
Louisville City Council
On Jan. 27, council voted unanimously to hire Diana Langley as Louisville's next city manager. Council also appointed a two-member committee of Mayor Chris Leh and council member Judi Kern to negotiate a contract with Langley.
Once negotiations are complete, a start date will be announced.
Over the next month, individual council members will hold meetings in their wards to hear from residents. Mayor Leh will hold his annual meeting Feb. 6.
All meetings are at 6 p.m. at the Recreation and Senior Center (900 Via Appia Way), except for Ward 1, which will be held at Louisville Public Library (951 Spruce St.).
Ward 1: Feb. 3
Ward 2: Feb. 3
City of Boulder
Boulder City Council did not meet the week of Jan. 30. On Feb. 6, council will
- Take a preliminary vote on changing Boulder’s occupancy limits to align with state law.
- Review a development proposal for 170 dwellings, plus office and restaurant space, at 5450 Airport Blvd.
Read more: GovtWatchJan22
All agenda items are subject to change. Karen Norback and Mark Cathcart contributed reporting.