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Why is Site Plan Review Important?

Site Plan Review (SPR), Article 4-800 of the Boulder County Land Use Code, was first adopted in 1993 in response to increased development in the mountains. Soon thereafter, SPR was applied to the plains as well. As time goes on, the supply of lots in unincorporated areas of the county decreases. In the mountains, many of the the lots that haven’t already been built on often have poor access and steep slopes that lead to erosion problems and/or wildfire hazards. In the plains, new development may have a direct impact on agricultural lands and the rural character of open areas. In both areas, the impact of development on natural resources and existing character of the surrounding neighborhood have been issues raised by Boulder County citizens experiencing the impact of new development. The good news is that in many cases, the impacts of new development can be minimized through careful site design.