I often get questions from residents in Boulder City asking just what is this “Land Management Plan” that they keep hearing about. I thought I would use this month’s column to try to explain just what it is and what it means to you.

The ordinance that created the Land Management Plan process was first adopted in 2001. It was created in response to requests by private citizens to either purchase or lease city-owned land. The intent was to provide a formal, public forum to receive public input to determine if the proposed disposition of city-owned land was appropriate prior to any approved lease agreement. It is also to allow property owners in the vicinity of such proposals to provide valuable input into the process. The Land Management Plan process does not negate the need for voter approval when required.

The process to add parcels to the Plan begins every August when the City advertises in the local paper to solicit proposals for parcels to be entered into the Land Management Plan. The proposals can be submitted by businesses, developers, or private citizens with an idea for the city. The City Council then considers the proposals in October and decides which proposals it would like to consider further and which ones to reject.  Those the City Council would like to learn more about are sent to the Planning Commission for its input and recommendation. The Planning Commission notifies property owners within 300 feet and holds a public hearing to discuss the proposal. The recommendations are then forwarded to the City Council and a public hearing is held in December or January to consider the proposals. The Council then has the option to place the proposal into the Plan for future action.

There is no guarantee that a parcel in the Plan will ever be developed, and the City strives to keep the nearby property owners as informed as possible if a development is to occur. Your input is extremely important to the City Council and Planning Commission to ensure that any development is Boulder friendly. I look forward to seeing you all at our City Council meetings as we discuss the Land Management Plan and our actions to implement it.

Visit Roger at http://www.bcnv.org/CityCouncil/Tobler.asp.