Class Project 1: City Case Studies

This assessment will focus on residential construction addressing three development frameworks: (1) single-family residential building; (2) multi-unit residential building or subdivision that triggers land use or design review; and (3) multi-unit residential structure or subdivision that triggers environmental review. These three frameworks are intended to encompass core regulatory problems of land development in this context, and illustrate key issues of complexity, cost and conflict of regulatory compliance for participants including both developers and local governments. In addition, students will be asked to collect (1) information on physical development patterns, and (2) local media coverage of development politics. A protocol for data collection will be handed out to students when the project is assigned.

Assessment of case study documents will address the following issues: (1) number and type of development regulations and related application submittals; (2) analytical and evidentiary requirements at each submittal step; and (3) process for review of application submittals. Data will be assembled in a matrix for each case study. Time requirements for compliance with development regulations will be identified. Write up an evaluation of each case based on the matrix and addressing key questions defined in the protocol.

In this project. you will assess and compare regulation and policy for a sample group of cities. The foundation for this work is collection of all key documents used in local land regulation in their case study community. Expected to collect and assess all key documents used in local land regulation in their case study community.

Deliverables: 8-page paper including matrix describing regulations, policies and development patterns for case study community, specifically referencing documents in the bibliography.

Synthesis and conclude your discussion of regulation and policy for your case study city, Longmont, Colorado. The foundation for this work is collection of all key documents used your city in local project review. Students are expected to collect and assess all key documents used in project review. This assignment is designed to help us explore key issues of complexity, cost and conflict of regulatory compliance for participants including both developers and local governments.

  • Step 1. Compilation of all key documents in a bibliography at the end of the assignment (these pages do not add to final paper total requirements).
  • Step 2. Evaluation against the benchmark of the city of Boulder, available at the bottom of this assignment sheet.
  • Step 3. Prepare a three page paper describing and synthesizing the work you’ve done on your own and in class about the city plan, zoning code and project review process.

Include at least the following.

  • What aspects of project review, and comp plan and zoning code, are emphasized in your city? Based on your knowledge of your city, why do you think these aspects are emphasized?
  • What aspects of project review, and comp plan and zoning code, stand out or seem most interesting to you? Why are they significant?
  • What aspects of project review, and comp plan and zoning code, are missing or need more emphasis? Why?
  • Step 4. Develop a “mock” interview with a local planner in your city to further explore both project review and your earlier work on planning and zoning. Reread the plan, zoning code and project review process, so your questions directly apply.

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  • Background

Administrative Review

From the website. “Administrative Reviews check that proposed projects are compliant with city development standards and codes.

Administrative applications are due at 10 a.m. every other Monday and are reviewed on two-week cycles. View the 2020 submittal calendar (Links to an external site.) .

Search for the “Administrative Review Application Form” in the Applications & Forms Database (Links to an external site.) to find a complete list of application requirements and fees for the projects below.”

  • Accessory Dwelling Units or Detached Dwelling Units
  • Parking Reductions
  • Setback Variances
  • Solar Exceptions
  • Antenna for Wireless Telecommunications
  • Change of Address or Street Name
  • Cooperative Housing Unit
  • Group Home Facility
  • Landscape Standards Modification
  • Minor Modification of an Approved Discretionary Review Plan
  • Non-Conforming Uses
  • Public Utility Easement Vacation
  • Residential and Congregate Care Facilities
  • Small Restaurants and Taverns
  • Temporary Outdoor Entertainment
  • Site Access
  • Small Recycling Collection Facilities
  • Substitution of Restaurant Use
  • Solar Access Permit
  • Zoning Verification

Land Use Review

From the web site. “All proposed changes to land uses, including annexation, site review, use review and preliminary plat, require Land Use Review. If you are planning to apply for a building permit and your project falls into one of the project categories listed below, you will need to go through the land use review process before applying for a building permit.

Land Use Review applications are due at 10 a.m. on specified Mondays. Check the 2020 submittal calendar (Links to an external site.) for due dates. Land Use Review applications are reviewed on three-week cycles.

Search for the “Land Use Review Application” in the Applications & Forms Database (Links to an external site.) to find a complete list of application requirements and fees for the projects below.”

  • Annexation Information
  • Annexation/Initial Zoning
  • Annexation Feasibility Study
  • Concept Plan Review and Comment
  • Minor Subdivision
  • Outside City Utility Permit
  • Preliminary Plat for Subdivision
  • Rezoning
  • Site Review
  • Use Review
  • Extension of Development Approval – Planning Board (Section 9-2-12, BRC)
  • Vacation Review of Street, Alley and Access Easements
  • Documents

Administrative Review

Land Use Review

  • Site Review (Links to an external site.) Attachment to Land Use Review Application. Includes review criteria and application requirements for site review, generally for requesting city code variations.
  • Application

https://www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/PDS/forms/100_adr_application.pdf

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