Broomfield requires public hearings for recreation cuts in residential site plans
A new rule sends proposed reductions or removals of permanent outdoor recreation facilities through public review rather than administrative approval alone.
Broomfield City Council unanimously adopted a rule requiring public review when a proposed change to a residential site-development plan would shrink or eliminate a permanent outdoor recreation facility. Developers cannot make those changes through administrative approval alone.
Ordinance 2305 and its staff memo amend the city code’s rules for administrative changes to approved site-development plans. Covered facilities include pools, playgrounds and dog parks, among others. A facility may still qualify for an administrative change if its size is not reduced and its location and design remain appropriate under the approved plan.
A change that does not meet those conditions is not automatically rejected. It must go through the review process for the original site-development plan, including a public hearing and further city review. Residents and others can comment before a decision is made.
Staff said the rule responds to residents’ reliance on amenities shown in approved plans when choosing where to live. The public process also lets decision-makers weigh proposed changes and possible tradeoffs rather than automatically denying every reduction.
The council approved the ordinance 10-0 on second reading Sept. 22, the meeting recording shows. It takes effect seven days after publication; the council packet does not specify the publication date.