building an enduring community partnership
TRANSCRIPT
GETTING TO THIS . . .
Building an Enduring
Community Partnership
Agenda:• Background and History• Change the Paradigm• Better Boulder• The Gift• Lessons Learned
Boulder Background:• Boulder’s Preservation History - open space protection,
height limit, blue line, green building codes, investment in transit and bike/ped infrastructure
• Countywide Intergovernmental Agreement sets Urban Growth Boundaries around every community
• Open space – city and county sales taxes have funded acquisition of 145,000 acres of land between cities
• Consistent policy direction for last 30 years
Boulder Background:• The good – beautiful place / strong economy
• The bad – limited housing diversity, stagnation (bad for quality of life and environment)
Political History:• NIMBY/Antigrowth Sentiment: Tight reign on positive
redevelopment and infill• Players: PLAN Boulder County / Sierra Club / Business
Community / Affordable Housing Advocates• Historically: City Council Candidates / Boards and Commissions /
carry mantle of environment protection
The Definition of Insanity:• Past Practice: Boulder Chamber / BARA / Development Interests • Success and Failures: Stop the worst overreach (“Don’t kill the
goose that laid the golden egg”) / Rare City Council victory• Echo Chamber: Talking to themselves and standing on their own• Environmental advocates who supported density and infill had
no institutional home• Lack of Sustainable Influence . . .
New Coalition Needed:• Promote Smart Growth/YIMBY Principles – Infill and
redevelopment and flexibility with existing housing that promotes efficient land use, transit mobility, reduced climate impact, housing for everyone
• Focused on Comprehensive Plan Update – Change regulations and policies related to land use, transportation and housing
• Long-Term Political Realignment• Goal: Sustainable Influence – City Council and Board
appointments
Unorganized Constituency:• Young people who love Boulder, can barely afford to live
here, and wonder why we don’t have neighborhoods like Highlands in Denver
• Older folks who are ready to downsize but there’s no where for them to go
• Businesspeople and entrepreneurs who see the vitality that could come from a more urban fabric
• Environmentalists who see that without land use changes, our carbon goals can’t be met
Breaking Out of the Echo Chambers:• Previous Experience – Annexation by vote opened door for future
conversation• The First Encounters – informal dialogue meetings• Identifying Common Goals – “How can we help?” (avoid leading
with your agenda!)• Building the Coalition and Formalizing the Relationship -
Foundation based on sound communication practices and balance
• Let Others Lead – Avoid the spotlight but get the job done
Better Boulder:• Who We Are – Diverse interests with a common vision• What We Do – Public Programs / Communication Tools / Action• Initial Success – Getting together / Speaking-Up / New Voice• Challenges - “Worse Boulder”
The Gift / The Test: 300 / 301• “Bring it on!”• Careful What You Wish For• Campaign – Hearts and Minds Battle• Victory - The Coalition Held!
Toward a Sustainable Future:• Political - Council / Boards and Commissions• Policies – Comprehensive Plan• Balance! • Healthy Housing Market
Lessons:• Get out of the Echo Chamber• Coalition – Big Tent• Balance – Overreach is not the goal• Policy that is good for business, environment and equity• This is a Movement – Get on It!