Boulder council to consider first steps toward 5.43-acre annexation
The proposal would allow religious assembly use at one property and city water and sewer service for an existing home at another; council is not being asked to approve the annexation yet.
Boulder City Council is scheduled to consider initial steps Oct. 1 toward annexing 5.43 acres at 1275 Cherryvale Road and 5995 McSorley Lane. The proposal would allow religious assembly use at one property and city water and sewer service for an existing home at the other; annexation has not been approved.
The council agenda asks the council to consider a resolution finding the annexation petition in compliance with state law and setting a Nov. 12 public hearing. It is also being asked to introduce an annexation ordinance on first reading, with initial Residential–Rural 2 zoning. The hearing would proceed only if the council adopts the resolution.
Hakubai Temple owns both properties, which are in unincorporated Boulder County. The property at 1275 Cherryvale Road is proposed for redevelopment as a religious assembly use; city staff says that use is allowed by right under the proposed zoning. The detached home at 5995 McSorley Lane would remain a separate residence. It currently relies on a domestic well and onsite wastewater treatment. Annexation would allow it to connect to city water and sewer, subject to city approvals, fees and construction of service lines under the draft agreement.
The staff report and draft annexation agreement describe proposed infrastructure conditions. South Boulder Creek floodplain and high-hazard areas affect the site and, staff says, limit its redevelopment potential. The agreement would grant the city flood-control and drainage easements and require drainage to continue without materially and adversely affecting neighboring properties. It also sets a stormwater plant-investment fee of $58,126.88, based on the properties’ existing impervious area.
The proposal would grant public-access easements along Cherryvale Road and McSorley Lane for future right-of-way improvements. It would also require the existing Cherryvale Road access serving the McSorley home to close within 180 days after the annexation ordinance takes effect. Staff says closing the access would reduce conflict points between vehicles and people traveling without vehicles and enable safety improvements. The draft agreement does not identify how vehicle access to the home would be maintained after the closure.
The proposed actions concern annexation and zoning; they do not approve a specific temple development plan.