
Two years ago, after a two year process, the City of Boulder approved by a vote of 7-2 an ordinance to allow housing co-operatives as dwelling units. Opponents felt the ordinance did not do enough to protect existing neighbourhoods from the young single people who were the most likely residents.
The ordinance allows the City to license 10 new co-op residences per year and there must be 500 feet between them. In a community of 40,000 housing units, it would take several years for co-ops to make up 1% of the housing stock.
When the ordinance was passed, one council member commented that co-ops will be the most closely watched housing in the city.1
Today, 11 buildings are licensed in 10 neighbourhoods across the city and provide homes for 144 people. A journalist went looking for concerns about irresponsible neighbours. He learned that the complaints have been about parking and pets. His investigation turned up additional benefits, both for the co-op members and their neighbours. See more in Daily Camera: Once-Controversial, Boulder Housing Co-Ops Proving Worth In Affordability, Community
Footnotes
- Co-op members must complete training and obtain certification by an external organization as part of the process to obtain the license. They must renew their certification to maintain the license. The City Manager has the authority to revoke a license if the co-op does not comply with the certification standards.