Boulder

On Boulder’s Proposition 8666: “Family Friendly Vibrant Neighborhoods”

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My testimony to the Boulder City Council on January 9 2024 can be played here:

Transcript

My name is Henry Koren; I live with my family in Table Mesa. I’ll speak in support of this ordinance.

I’m going to recommend two interviews from Boulder’s Carnegie Library Oral History project:

First, listen to the 1972 interview of Ruth Cave Flowers, one of the first African American graduate of CU Boulder; she moved here 100 years ago, right after the dissolution of Boulder’s chapter of the KKK.  Ruth shared her experience of multiple forms of discrimination she was subject to, including redlining, which restricted her choice of housing to the Goss Grove neighborhood.

Next, listen to the 2002 interview of Bob McElvey, one of the founders of PLAN-Boulder County, who helped establish the Green Belt and Blue Line. Bob eventually moved out of Boulder because his daughter couldn’t find housing here; he said Boulder had become an upper-middle-class ghetto.

I don’t think those who are defending low density zoning are willfully or maliciously carrying the cross of white supremacy, but I do believe that many aspects of our zoning evolved from racist redlining.

Anyone who walks around our neighborhoods has seen numerous homes that have been rebuilt into modern luxury mansions. These multimillion-dollar residences are attainable only by the wealthy. They may be one of multiple residences that these people enjoy traveling between. This leads to quieter, less vibrant neighborhoods.

The school-age population of Boulder is declining at an alarming rate of 1.5% per year.  The construction of apartments cannot keep up with the emptying of nests.

If you are not wealthy enough to afford single-family homes or expensive apartments that subsidize affordable housing with cash-in-lieu fees, you are cooked.

If your income is not low enough to qualify for subsidized housing, you are cooked. Beyond the limited stock of subsidized affordable housing, our city is hostile to all but the wealthiest of families.

Only missing middle housing will solve this, which is what Vibrant Neighborhoods aims to provide.

This ordinance provides options for people who want to improve utilization their low-density properties. You could downsize into a duplex unit alongside another family.

My goal is that in two or three decades, I will be able to have my children and Grandchildren live near me. Even if this ordinance is implemented, it will be difficult for my dreams to be achieved. I believe these reasonable changes will make the difference between it being difficult and impossible.

Thanks to the city council and staff.

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