Four Boulder County advisory board positions open

Four Niwot-area appointed positions on Boulder County advisory boards are open for applications, which close on Friday, Jan. 19.

Niwot Design Review Committee

The Niwot Design Review Committee's primary role is to act as a referral agency for proposals within the Niwot Rural Community District I (NRCD I), which consists of the first block of 2nd Avenue between Murray Street and Franklin Street, plus the historic Bader House property. According to the county website, "The committee does not have legal authority to grant Certificates of Appropriateness. However, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) shall consider the committee's recommendation as well as other public testimony in decisions pertaining to the historic district."

The Niwot Design Review Committee consists of five members, who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The website states, "[T]he selection process will be completed with the intent to include representatives of the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot Community Association, the Niwot Historical Society, at least one member of the HPAB, and members of the community who have lived or worked in the community for more than five years."

Current members are Bruce Larsen, Chair, Satir DeMarco, Vice-Chair, Jason Emery, Will Hentschel, and Katherine Koehler. Members serve three-year terms, and no member may serve more than three consecutive terms. The Niwot Business Association representative position, currently held by DeMarco, is currently up for appointment.

Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, typically online.

Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee

The 9-member advisory committee includes three members whose terms expire at the end of February, 2024. Business representative Cornelia Sawle of the Niwot Inn has indicated she intends to reapply for another 5-year term. Resident representative Heidi Storz also indicated that she intends to reapply for a 5-year term.

Lisa Rivard, who is also a resident representative, indicated that she does not intend to reapply, citing a need to focus on her art and illustration business. Applications for all three positions are open through Jan. 19.

The committee considers funding requests from organizations and individuals that are designed to benefit the Niwot business district, which includes Cottonwood Square, 2nd Avenue, Whistle Stop Park, and the Left Hand Animal Hospital property. The Board of County Commissioners serves as the Board of Directors for the district, and reviews recommendations of the advisory committee. The district collects over $200,000 in sales tax revenue each year from a 1% sales tax levied on sales in the Niwot business district. Meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Niwot Inn.

Applications should be submitted online to Boulder County. The Board of County Commissioners is expected to make appointments in late February.