I do hope this organization has some luck in their endeavors. That said, I wanted to acknowledge the spirit of the rule in regards to keeping so called “McMansions” from sprouting up all over Boulder. I understand the good intentions of the rule. I do. And even though I don’t agree with it, I do think that the City Council had good intentions when drafting it.

The main issue I have with the rule is that it was enacted by a small group of 5 City Councilmen, and was not put to a vote to Boulder residents. Boulder is home to some pretty bright folks, and I’m certain they have the brain power to digest the details and decide for themselves.

Now, in theory, this sounds fine.  Who wants to wake up one morning and as Councilman Macon Cowles says, “find the Queen Mary parked next to their house?”.  But the problem is that there are only about 100 6,000+ square foot homes in Boulder.  And the council is aiming its actions at “preserving” neighborhoods/structures in the 1200-2000 square foot range.  Those are they guys they’re protecting.  But…

Listen to this interview on CPR Colorado Matters between homeowner Warren Hultquist and councilman Macon Cowles.  In it, Hultquist  points out that he simply wants to make an addition in order to access his basement square footage, and that his home is in the neighborhood of the 1200-2000 square foot range mentioned above.  But this new ordinance would prohibit him from making such modest additions.

The part that just rubs me the wrong way about Macon Cowles’ championing of the new size limit ordinance is this: councilman Cowles lives in a 4,800 square foot home.  That’s a huge home for Boulder.  A huge home.  Does anything about this rub you the wrong way?

Furthermore, the City Council is opposed to the idea of putting any such ordinance to a general vote because, as council member Macon Cowles says in the attached interview, the issue is too complex for laypeople to understand.  Hmmmm…

I’d encourage Boulder residents to visit the website Leave My Home Alone when they have a moment.  This is taken from the LMHA position statement on their website:

“The Proposed Regulations are Anti-Family and Unfair

The proposed regulations are anti-family and would unfairly restrict the right of Boulder citizens to build additions to or remodel their homes and unfairly decrease property values, thereby effectively snuffing out the hopes, plans, and dreams of people living and working in Boulder. The proposed regulations are a “one-size fits all” approach that goes too far and would prohibit many types of appropriate additions and remodels. The proposed regulations would have a disproportionate impact on relatively modest neighborhoods like Martin Acres, Aurora 7, West Highlands and Columbine. If families can’t grow in their homes, they will move elsewhere, thereby exacerbating the loss of families with children in Boulder and the declining enrollment in Boulder’s schools.”

Fair warning to all Boulder residents: you need to inform yourselves and voice your concerns to your City Council!