No Open Space designation for Twin Lakes fields

The future of the fields south of Twin Lakes in Gunbarrel is still up in the air. TLAG, Twin Lakes Action Group, had requested a land use designation change to open space to protect the fields from being developed as a site for affordable apartments. The Boulder Planning Board refused to consider the request as part of the mid-term update of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, which determines future land use and development.

"I think it's extremely disappointing that the board didn't consider moving forward the TLAG request," said Dave Rechberger, chairman of Twin Lakes Action Group. It wasn't surprising to Rechberger, but he did see an upside. "That means the next land use change cycle is in five years, so we bought five more years in theory, if they play by the rules," he said.

The open space request was opposed by Boulder's planning staff, who said the request wasn't appropriate for the mid-term BVCP update, because it would take too much time and require significant city and county resources.

The May 28 hearing was only to decide if the request would move forward in the process. The Courier previewed the meeting on page 1 of the May 27 issue. The board received about 100 comments in favor of the open space proposal, some by letter and some "in-person" at the virtual meeting conducted by video conference.

Boulder County Housing Authority, BCHA, sent a letter to the Boulder Planning Board opposing the TLAG open space request. The agency said the request wasn't compatible with its plans to develop more affordable housing.

That sets up another battle between neighbors of the Gunbarrel area fields and BCHA for the next major update of the comprehensive plan in 2025.

A last-minute request to consider another potential affordable housing site in Gunbarrel was approved by the board for further analysis. The planning staff submitted the request for 6500 Odell Place, near Spine Road and Lookout Road.