The City of Boulder has recently finished a study on the flooding potential along the South Boulder Creek area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had rejected an earlier study concluding that it was too conservative. This latest study predicts that approximately 1,137 structures would be underwater during a 100-year flood.
How does this affect Boulder homeowners? Well, if you house is in the newly described 100-year flood plain you will likely be required by your mortgage holder to obtain flood insurance. Those who have federally subsidized mortgages will probably be required to purchase FEMA insurance which costs an average of $12,00 annually. Future building in the flood plain could be restricted as well. Even though it could take up to a year for FEMA to formally adopt the new study, the City of Boulder will begin enforcing land use and building code requirement soon. It could alter your plans for an addition or a home sale!
To find out more information or to see if your home falls in the projected flood plain, visit http://www.southbouldercreek.com/. We advise you to talk to your insurance agent now, as obtaining flood insurance before the formal adoption of the study by FEMA may save you a substantial amount on insurance premiums!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
ENERGY AWARENESS CHALLENGE!
Put yourself on the map!
Take the October Energy Awareness Challenge!
Pledge online today to lower your carbon footprint and reduce your energy use. Your name will be added to a growing online list of committed Boulder County residents and businesses, and a green pin to visually represent your location will be placed on the ClimateSmart map.
The October Energy Awareness Challenge is a ClimateSmart initiative with a goal of adding 1,000 names to the Who’s In list during October, National Energy Awareness Month. Take the pledge and tell your Boulder County friends and colleagues! beclimatesmart.com/pledgeNow
Monday, October 08, 2007
Burglar Proof Inside Your Home
There's a burglary every 15 seconds in the United States - and more than 6 Million home break-ins every year. The good news: Your house doesn't have to be one of them. There's plenty you can do, experts say, to make it tougher for housebreakers to make off with your hard-earned, perhaps irreplaceable stuff.
A few smart moves within the house can keep a burglar out - or at least minimize his haul.
Put lights and a radio or TV on timers. People who leave the lights on all day "might as well put out a sign in their front yard saying they're out of town" says Ann Lindstrom of ADT Security Services, the nation's oldest alarm-system company. Look for the type of timer that can be set for random on and off times. Otherwise, it's too easy for crooks to get wise to the fact that your lights are coming on at the same time every night.
Don't rely on your dog. You'd like to believe that your "vicious" golden retriever will scare off burglars. And though barking may persuade them to skip your house, you shouldn't count on it. "Most of us train dogs to be friendly to strangers", says Frank Santamorena, an expert for the Discovery Channel's burglary-prevention show, It Takes A Thief. Some thieves even bring dog biscuits.
Close most shades. If a thief can't see inside, he won't know whether there's anything worth stealing, says Lauren Russ, executive director of the nonprofit Burglary Prevention Council (BPC). But keep a few shades open on the second floor to make it look as if someone is home.
Lock up valuables. It may sound obvious, but thieves know we all like to hide our most important things under the bed, in a coffee tin, or behind a bookcase. So keep passports, Social Security cards, and the like in a bank safe-deposit box or in a heavy-duty combination safe you can bolt to the floor in a closet.
Keep two jewelry boxes. Store inexpensive pieces in the nice case on your dresser. Stash the good bits in a safe. A thief may be fooled by the "cheap box" and not bother looking for more.
Lock away guns. Weapons are attractive to thieves, so if you have them in your house, hide them in a safe, just as you would conceal other valuables.
Make your stuff harder to sell. Use an engraving pen (sold in hardware stores) to mark big-ticket items, like electronics and computers. Prominently engrave your initials and driver's license number (not your social security number) on the back. Since many pawnshops don't accept ID engraved items or are required by law to report them to the police, burglars may pass on them. At the very least, you'll have a better change of recovering them.
Get an alarm system. A recent survey by Temple University researchers found that alarms, when used in combination with other precautions, reduce the likelihood of burglary be as much as 66%. All monitored electronic-security systems operate through phone lines. The more recent types have backup service that uses cellular technology or digital radio, so if the line is cut or the power goes out, you're still protected. This can add a few hundred dollars to the bill, but experts say it's a must. Expect to pay at least $350 for installation and around $35 a month in monitoring fees.
A few smart moves within the house can keep a burglar out - or at least minimize his haul.
Put lights and a radio or TV on timers. People who leave the lights on all day "might as well put out a sign in their front yard saying they're out of town" says Ann Lindstrom of ADT Security Services, the nation's oldest alarm-system company. Look for the type of timer that can be set for random on and off times. Otherwise, it's too easy for crooks to get wise to the fact that your lights are coming on at the same time every night.
Don't rely on your dog. You'd like to believe that your "vicious" golden retriever will scare off burglars. And though barking may persuade them to skip your house, you shouldn't count on it. "Most of us train dogs to be friendly to strangers", says Frank Santamorena, an expert for the Discovery Channel's burglary-prevention show, It Takes A Thief. Some thieves even bring dog biscuits.
Close most shades. If a thief can't see inside, he won't know whether there's anything worth stealing, says Lauren Russ, executive director of the nonprofit Burglary Prevention Council (BPC). But keep a few shades open on the second floor to make it look as if someone is home.
Lock up valuables. It may sound obvious, but thieves know we all like to hide our most important things under the bed, in a coffee tin, or behind a bookcase. So keep passports, Social Security cards, and the like in a bank safe-deposit box or in a heavy-duty combination safe you can bolt to the floor in a closet.
Keep two jewelry boxes. Store inexpensive pieces in the nice case on your dresser. Stash the good bits in a safe. A thief may be fooled by the "cheap box" and not bother looking for more.
Lock away guns. Weapons are attractive to thieves, so if you have them in your house, hide them in a safe, just as you would conceal other valuables.
Make your stuff harder to sell. Use an engraving pen (sold in hardware stores) to mark big-ticket items, like electronics and computers. Prominently engrave your initials and driver's license number (not your social security number) on the back. Since many pawnshops don't accept ID engraved items or are required by law to report them to the police, burglars may pass on them. At the very least, you'll have a better change of recovering them.
Get an alarm system. A recent survey by Temple University researchers found that alarms, when used in combination with other precautions, reduce the likelihood of burglary be as much as 66%. All monitored electronic-security systems operate through phone lines. The more recent types have backup service that uses cellular technology or digital radio, so if the line is cut or the power goes out, you're still protected. This can add a few hundred dollars to the bill, but experts say it's a must. Expect to pay at least $350 for installation and around $35 a month in monitoring fees.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
City and County Green Building Codes
GET INVOLVED!
THIS WILL AFFECT YOU WHETHER YOU ARE A BUYER OR SELLER!
The city and county green building programs are moving forward and your participation in the public process is welcome!
City of Boulder - Green Points (Office of Environmental Affairs): Elizabeth Vasatka VasatkaE@bouldercolorado.gov (email her to be on a listserv of updates)
Hearings: (at City Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway)Planning Board: October 4th,
(agenda item C-around 8 pm)
City Council (first hearing): October 16th
City Council (second hearing): November 13th Boulder County - Build Smart: Michelle Krezek mkrezek@co.boulder.co.us (email her to be on a listserv of updates)
Hearings: Board of Review: October 25th, 3:30 pm Drafts and further hearing dates will be posted on http://www.co.boulder.co.uslu/
The city's update to the current Green Points program is building on the evolution of a 10 year old green building program. Revisions include mandatory measures for energy performance for new construction, deconstruction and construction waste requirements, and mandatory measures for remodels and additions. The goal is to have a comprehensive program that includes indoor air quality and sustainable resource management. The city's program set an energy threshold of 50% above code across the housing sizes, but will be asking Planning Board for its feedback on scaling energy efficiency by house size.
The county's program is starting with energy efficiency, waste and water measures that are mandatory. We're thrilled to have the county join the ranks of local governments mandating a level of green building measures.
Remember, these juridications have different development patterns, housing types, housing sizes and direction from their public officials. Visit the web site, www.bouldergreenpoints.com, to educate yourself on the processes and documentation involved. BGBG's goal is to make green building common practice! We encourage you to educate yourself about these important, impending policies decisions and thank you in advance for participating.
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