County Commissioners approve Boulder Country Club as a Use of Community Significance

At a hearing on April 2, the Boulder County Commissioners conditionally approved Boulder Country Club’s (BCC) application to recognize the membership club as a Use of Community Significance. BCC has been designated as a “non-conforming use” since 1991 when Boulder County determined a membership club was non-conforming to the land’s “rural residential” zoning designation.

The new designation as a Use of Community Significance will allow the club to make changes to its approximately 190-acre facility without a heightened approval process required for those properties designated as non-conforming use.

The original application also requested approval of two “tennis bubbles” to cover existing tennis courts to allow for year-round use. After community opposition, BCC withdrew that portion of its application.

The application stated that BCC has the required characteristics of being both historical and offering social benefits to the community. Other possible criteria include cultural, economic and environmental characteristics. BCC contended that its establishment played a pivotal role in the successful development of the Gunbarrel community and the BCC has contributed a range of services to the local area

The clubhouse is designated as a historical landmark. And although BCC is a membership club, the applicant believe that non-members enjoy weddings, golf tournaments and charity events at the club which contribute to its contribution to the social benefits to the community.

Pete L’Orange, the Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Staff Planner assigned to the application, stated that the criteria had been met. He recommended approval of the application subject to normal permitting and review processes for future “substantial” projects.

Michael Larson, general manager of BCC said at the hearing that the change in designation “doesn’t change anything for us realistically. It might speed up some [projects] like [resurfacing] the pool deck.”

A number of neighbors expressed their opposition to the application. Brad Olsen, who lives “next door” to BCC, said he was concerned that the designation might allow BCC to more easily install pickleball courts, and questioned whether BBC’s use as a private club is “a use of community significance” since he said, “It hasn’t been demonstrated that BCC benefits the community as a whole.”

Fred Ziel, who lives near the clay tennis courts, echoed the concern that pickleball courts might be installed.

Larsen stated, ”We will work with the neighborhood” on future BCC projects and, “There will be no surprises,” emphasizing their commitment to transparent communication.

L’Orange noted that any change in designation would not affect the Country Club’s obligations to obtain permitting and review of any substantial projects.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Commissioners unanimously voted to conditionally approve the application.

Larsen said about the hearing, "The HOAs had lots of concerns about past remodels and wanted to make sure that going forward, they were notified of future modifications and alterations."

Larsen further stated, "BCC will not be installing any tennis domes on the outside courts. The only improvement will be converting the clay courts to a flexible surface."