As part of a regular update, the Longmont City Council listened to a short presentation on upcoming state legislation that could impact Longmont. The city’s staff presented the legislative bills for the council’s official opinion.
HB24-1016 defines the term “emergency communications specialist” as a first responder “whose duties involve emergency and non-emergency dispatch services,” according to council communications. The bill will also expand the training opportunities for public safety communications staff through the use of service charge revenue. The city of Longmont staff recommended the council support this bill.
The city of Longmont staff suggested that the council oppose HB24-1090 which would release identifying information in criminal justice reports. The law currently prohibits the release of such information concerning victims of sexual offenses. This bill would allow unredacted records to include victim information to the office of the state public defender and the office of the alternate defense counsel before a case has been fully investigated. The staff believes this bill could result in undue pressure on the victims and witnesses, according to council communication.
HB24-1152 is a bill that would increase the number of accessory dwelling units through incentives. The city staff recommended opposing the bill because it “encroaches on traditional land use and zoning authority of home rule municipalities,” council communication states. The bill would require ADUs to be built and would restrict local laws that would restrict the construction or conversion of an ADU.
The council agreed to heed the city staff’s recommendations on HB24-1016 and HB24-1090.
Councilmember Marcia Martin moved to support HB24-1152 because the bill would not allow homeowners’ associations to block the building of ADUs. She said she felt the bill also used language that granted local control over ADUs.
Longmont already allows for ADUs as long as the main housing unit is occupied by the owner and the ADU is rented. This prevents investors from buying up properties and renting both units. Mayor Joan Peck argued that the house bill could allow more opportunities for investors to purchase properties with ADUs which “changes the whole flavor of our city,” she said. “I think there would be a huge pushback when we talk about keeping our community as a community and not as a rental business in our neighborhoods.”
The council voted to support the House bill as it is, although Peck would have liked to support the bill with a few amendments.
