Community meeting on proposed Boulder County Land Use Code amendments is May 18

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY COMMUNITY PLANNING AND PERMITTING
*************************

The Community Planning & Permitting Department has released a proposed draft update related to composting incidental to farming in the Land Use Code. The draft is available for review and comment on the project webpage, and a community meeting will be held on May 18.

This Land Use Code update will not impact provisions related to industrial composting but is intended to support regenerative farming practices and address needs expressed by the local agricultural community. The Land Use Code applies to all land within the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not in cities or towns.

Community Meeting

On Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Community Planning & Permitting will host an online community meeting. This meeting will include a presentation and overview of the proposed text changes, as well as the opportunity for staff to hear directly from the community regarding the changes under consideration.

What: Community Meeting to review draft text changes to the Land Use Code related to composting incidental to farming
Who: Boulder County residents, residents of neighboring jurisdictions interested in composting and farmers and other professionals interested in regenerative farming practices
When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual meeting via Zoom. Register to attend.

Registration is required, but participants can register at any time, including after the meeting has started. For those unable to attend the live meeting, a recording will be recorded and posted online.

Proposed Draft Code Amendment Updates

View the proposed draft updates, which in summary:

• Relocates the backyard composting and composting incidental to farming exemption provisions from the Industrial Uses classification of the Code by creating new Accessory use categories for Backyard Composting and Accessory Agricultural Composting.
• Maintains the existing composting incidental to farming setback requirement, limits on the amount of active composting material, and limits on the material that can be removed from the site in any 36-month period.
• Removes the prohibition for Accessory Agricultural Composting to collect materials from off site and aligns the materials allowed for collection with the Colorado Dept of Public Health & Environments regulations regarding Conditional Exempt Small Quantity composting; requires compliance with State and Federal licensing and permitting as needed.
• Removes the prohibition on the sale of compost for Accessory Agricultural Composting and adds compost to the definition of Agricultural Products.
• Establishes an Accessory Backyard Composting use that which continues to support composting as part of residential uses and establishes parameters intended to ensure the use is compatible with residential neighborhoods.

The public comment period on the draft is open through May 23, 2023. These comments will be utilized to help staff refine and finalize the draft. To submit a comment, email [email protected].

Next Steps

Staff will refine and finalize the draft in response to feedback from the public and referral agencies. The final draft is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Planning Commission on June 21, 2023. Public comment on the final draft can be provided to staff in advance of the Planning Commission Public Hearing, and public testimony can be provided to Planning Commission at the hearing.

For more information, view the Docket DC-23-0002 webpage, email Long Range Planner Andrea Vaughn, or call 303-441-1356. Sign-up to receive updates on Land Use Code text amendments, including notices of public meetings and hearings.

*************************