07.24.19 HAB Handout 1ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Area plans help develop common understanding of the
desired future development of an area including:
`Expected Changes
`Desired Characteristics
`Achievable Implementation Methods
WHAT IS AN AREA PLAN?
AREA PLANS ADDRESS TOPICS SUCH AS:
STEP 9
evaluate
STEP 8
Communicate
decision & rationale
STEP 7
Make a
decision
STEP 6
Evaluate
issues STEP 5
Identify
options
STEP 3
Create a public
engagement plan
STEP 2
Determine who
STEP 1
before embarking
9
STEPS TO
GOOD
ENGAGEMENT
STEP 4
Share a foundation
of information
and inquiry
WE ARE HERE
THE ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN WILL:
FINAL PLAN
VISION PLAN SITE PLAN
CITY PURCHASE
OF SITE
2020201920182016 20172015
AREA PLAN
2021+
IMPLEMENTATION
WE ARE HERE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Former Hospital Building
Community Plaza
Boulder Medical Center
Ideal Market
North Boulder ParkBrenton Building (city owned)
Parking Garage (city owned)
PLANNING AREA
The right mix of activities and land uses that will serve the
community and build great places
How people will access the area and what facilities will be there
What city infrastructure improvements are needed in the nearby
areas to support new uses
`Define a Neighborhood Center Vision for the site and area
`Guide redevelopment
`Create common understanding of changes in the area
`Ensure changes are consistent with the community vision
`Identify public improvements
`Ensure economic and financial viability
MEDICAL PAVILION
AREA
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
At the start of this process, Alpine-Balsam Area Plan goals were confirmed by the Planning Board,
City Council , and Community based on the Alpine-Balsam Vision Plan. The goals below build upon
the initial goals, adding clarifying objectives based on further analysis, option development and
community feedback.
1 ENHANCE THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TO
SUPPORT A VIBRANT MIX OF USES FOR COMMUNITY
LIFE
7 PROVIDE ENGAGING AND WELCOMING
PUBLIC SPACES
2 INCORPORATE DESIGN AND CHARACTER THAT
RESPECT AND ENHANCE THE NEIGHBORHOOD
5 CREATE A CENTRALIZED LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE HUB
6 CREATE DIVERSE AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
3 IMPROVE WALKABILITY, SAFETY AND
CONNECTIONS WITH WELL-CONNECTED AND
PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED STREETS AND WALKWAYS
4 IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE MULTI-MODAL
ACCESS AND PARKING STRATEGY THAT SUPPORTS
THE FULL RANGE OF MOBILITY CHOICES
Land Use and Urban Design
Public Realm and Public Spaces
Local Government Services
Housing
Access and Mobility
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
NEW CITY SERVICE HUB
Vision for City Facilities at Alpine Balsam: Centralized hub for customer service, a place to conduct
daily business with the city.
The City of Boulder will occupy approximately 150,000
square feet on the site, including functional and interactive
places for community engagement.
In 2015, the city purchased the 8.8 acre Alpine-Balsam site from
Boulder Community Health to ensure future redevelopment fits within
the community’s goals and vision, to improve customer service and help
consolidate city facilities for cost savings.
BENEFITS OF CONSOLIDATION
`Improved customer service experience
`Contributes to Climate Action goals
`Oppor tunity for cost savings
`Removes services and staff from high hazard flood zone
COMMUNITY & CITY SERVICES
Prioritize customer experience and information sharing in all
community and customer-serving spaces.
Promote active community engagement in local governance
with innovative shared spaces for community gathering.
Foster innovation and collaboration with flexible and adaptable
high-performance workplaces.
Support the well-being of city staff with healthy workplaces and
complementary workplace practices.
Provide welcoming and inspiring spaces that reflect the
community’s values with clear, creative and inclusive design.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE FUTURE CITY FACILITIES:
3
2
1
4
5
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
URBAN DESIGN & THE PUBLIC REALM
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
Broadwa
y
1
3
t
h
S
t
.9th St.North St.
Alpine Ave.
Balsam Ave.
Portland St.
MAKING CHOICES: SITE VERSUS AREA
SITE CHOICES ALL OPTIONS INCLUDE:HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT SITE:
The hospital redevelopment site was purchased by the city for
relocation and consolidation of city services and affordable housing.
Renovation of the Medical Pavilion for city
service hub with public plaza and “green”
connections through the site.
“Flex” space along Broadway to reserve space
in the future for additional city facilities or
housing with some limited ground floor retail.
Improvements that encourage lively public and
open spaces that can be utilized by the whole
community.
EAST BLOCK
East
block
Center
block
West
block
AREA:
The Area Plan provides the opportunity to define a future vision for the
Alpine-Balsam Neighborhood Center and nearby areas that aligns with
the changes that will be happening on the hospital redevelopment site.
TRAFFIC IMPACT
Detailed traffic impact analysis was
performed to assess impacts of all the
options. Key findings include:
`Fewer trips generated than
estimated from active hospital
`New traffic can be accomodated
by existing roadway network,
maintaining good level of service
The full report is on the project website.
Housing for west and center blocks:
Options A, B, and C illustrate different housing
types and densities.
Option D illustrates a Civic Campus with both
City of Boulder and Boulder County Service
Hubs.
AREA CHOICES
The options illustrate ways to add
housing while building on the area’s
unique mixed use character.
A change in Land use does not mean
redevelopment is required, but it
provides direction for the appropriate
land use and zoning adjustments to
achieve the desired future vision as
private redevelopment occurs.
Key choices include the extent to
which we:
`Emphasize housing in the area
by converting current office and
commercial uses (not retail) to
housing.
`Emphasize mixed use by
encouraging ground floor
commercial uses with housing
above in future developments.
`Allow some higher density in the
area.
NEIGHBORHOOD
CENTER
SOUTH OF ALPINE
BROADWAY - SOUTH
OF NORTH ST
MIXED DENSITY
RESIDENTIAL
(NO CHANGES PROPOSED)
Alpine Ave.Broadway
9th St.
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
Encourage conversion of commercial uses
to housing as 2-3 story stacked flats or
apartments over time
Neighborhood Center maintains strong retail
core. Encourage adding housing up to 3
storeis.
Attached single-family
attached units like rowhouses
or townhomes
Multifamily apartments or stacked flats – 3 stories along Balsam, up to
4 stories along Alpine, could have upper floor set back from the street
Renovate existing Medical Office Pavilion for City
Service Hub with new Public Plaza
Encourage mixed use with ground floor
community-serving commercial with 1-2
stories of housing above
Vision: The Alpine-Balsam area will continue to serve as a lively neighborhood center, emphasizing preservation of the retail
heart, renovating the Medical Pavilion into a new City Service Hub, creating new engaging public spaces, and adding new
housing.
`Site: The western portion of the hospital site will be housing in a variety of types including townhomes and high density
stacked flats/ apartments.
`Area: Mixed density housing in the area would remain with some of the office and medical uses converting to new
stacked flats, condos or apartments.
`Mixed use would be encouraged along Broadway with ground floor community-serving uses and housing above
`Buildings would range in scale 1-3 stories with the highest intensity along Broadway.
EMPHASIZE
HOUSING
HOSPITAL
REDEVELOPMENT SITE
CENTER BLOCKWEST BLOCK
SOUTH OF ALPINE
BROADWAY - SOUTH
OF NORTH ST
A
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
Broadwa
y
1
3
t
h
S
t
.9th St.North St.
Alpine Ave.
Balsam Ave.
Portland St.
Site: 190-260 units
Area: 250-330 units
• Reflects density similar to current character of the area
• Generally 1-3 stories, up to 4 stories for City Service Hub
• Few areas over 35’
Estimated new
housing potential
Overall
Character
EAST BLOCK
*Photos and renderings are for illustrative purposes only.
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
Encourage conversion of commercial uses to
housing as 3-4 story stacked flats over time. Compact apartments or stacked flats up to
3 stories.
Multifamily apartments or stacked flats – 3
stories along Balsam, up to 4 stories along
Alpine, could have upper floor set back from
street.
Renovate existing Medical Pavilion for City Service
Hub with new Public Plaza.
Encourage mixed use with ground floor
community-serving commercial with 2-3
stories of housing above.
STRONGLY
EMPHASIZE
HOUSINGB
Vision: The Alpine-Balsam area will continue to serve as a lively neighborhood center, emphasizing preservation of the retail
heart, renovating the Medical Pavilion into a new City Service Hub, creating new engaging public spaces, and adding new
housing.
`Site: The western portion of the hospital site (west and center blocks) will be higher density housing and include 3-4
story larger footprint apartment buildings.
`Area: Mixed density housing would remain with some of the office and medical uses converting to higher density
housing.
`Mixed use would be encouraged along Broadway with ground floor community-serving uses and housing above.
`Buildings would range in scale from two to four stories with the highest intensity along Broadway.
Site: 240-300 units
Area: 330-430 units
• Allows increased density to blocks closest to Broadway
• Generally 2-4 stories
• Most areas over 35’
Estimated new
housing potential
Overall
Character
HOSPITAL
REDEVELOPMENT SITE
CENTER BLOCK
WEST BLOCK
SOUTH OF ALPINE
BROADWAY - SOUTH
OF NORTH ST
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
Broadwa
y
1
3
t
h
S
t
.9th St.North St.
Alpine Ave.
Balsam Ave.
Portland St.
EAST BLOCK
Neighborhood Center maintains strong retail
core. Encourage adding housing up to 4
stories.
*Photos and renderings are for illustrative purposes only.
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
Encourages areas with commercial or
office uses to add housing as 2-3 story
mixed use Attached single-family
attached units like rowhouses /
townhomes (similar to Option A)
Multifamily apartments or stacked flats – 3 stories along Balsam, up to
4 stories along Alpine, could have upper floor set back from the street
(Similar to Option A)
Renovate existing Medical Pavilion for City
Service Hub with new Public Plaza
Encourage mixed use with ground floor
community-serving commercial with 1-3
stories above
Neighborhood Center maintains strong retail
core. Similar to option A, encourage adding
housing up to 35’.
EMPHASIZE
MIXED-USEC
Vision: The Alpine-Balsam area will continue to serve as a lively neighborhood center, emphasizing preservation of the retail
heart, renovating the Medical Pavilion into a new City Service Hub, creating new engaging public spaces, and adding new
housing.
`Site: The western portion of the hospital site will be housing in a variety of types including townhomes and high density
stacked flats/ apartments. Mixed density housing in the area would remain.
`Area: Areas with commercial, medical and office uses would have flexibility to add housing or redevelop with ground
floor community-serving uses and housing above.
`Mixed use would be encouraged along Broadway with 1-2 stories of retail and office uses and housing above.
`Buildings would range in scale from 1-3 stories with the highest intensity along Broadway.
HOSPITAL
REDEVELOPMENT SITE
CENTER BLOCK
WEST BLOCK
SOUTH OF ALPINE
BROADWAY - SOUTH
OF NORTH ST
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
Broadwa
y
1
3
t
h
S
t
.9th St.North St.
Alpine Ave.
Balsam Ave.
Portland St.
Site: 190-260 units
Area: 220-300 units
• Reflects density similar to current character
• Generally 2-3 stories, up to 4 stories for City Service Hub
• Few areas over 35’
Estimated new
housing potential
Overall
Character
EAST BLOCK
*Photos and renderings are for illustrative purposes only.
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
Encourages areas with commercial or office
uses to add housing as mixed-use New townhomes or stacked flats – likely
market rate
Encourage mixed-use with ground floor
community-serving commercial with 1-4
stories above
City and County Service Hubs. Boulder County relocates
services from Iris & Broadway, offering potential for new
housing there.**
MIXED USE WITH
STRONG CIVIC
PRESENCE D
Vision: The Alpine-Balsam area will continue to serve as a lively neighborhood center, emphasizing preservation of the
retail heart, renovating the Medical Pavilion into a new City Service Hub, creating new engaging public spaces, and adding
new housing.
`Site: The hospital redevelopment site would be primarily a civic campus with some new housing such as
townhomes or stacked flats on the West Block.
`Area: Mixed density housing in the area would remain. New housing would be encouraged in other areas of the
neighborhood center. Areas with commercial, medical and office uses would have flexibility to add housing or
redevelop with ground floor community-serving uses and housing above.
`Mixed use would be encouraged along Broadway with 1-2 stories of retail and office uses and housing above.
`Buildings would range in scale from 1-3 stories with the highest intensity along Broadway.
** If Boulder County moves service hub to Alpine-Balsam, the Iris
and Broadway Complex would be redeveloped, presumably for
housing, much of which might be affordable. How much housing
could be achieved at Iris is uncertain at this time.
Site: 30-90 units
Area: 220-300 units
• More urban, civic campus on the hospital site
• Generally 2-4 stories
• More areas over 35’
Estimated new
housing potential
Overall
Character
HOSPITAL
REDEVELOPMENT SITE
WEST BLOCK SOUTH OF ALPINE
BROADWAY - SOUTH
OF NORTH ST
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
Broadwa
y
1
3
t
h
S
t
.9th St.North St.
Alpine Ave.
Balsam Ave.
Portland St.
EAST AND
CENTER BLOCK
Neighborhood Center maintains strong retail
core. Encourage adding housing up to 4
stories.
*Photos and renderings are for illustrative purposes only.
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Building Height Legend
Over 35’ with pitched roofs, multi-
family residential buildings
Pitched roofs, multi-family
residential buildings
Commercial or mixed-use
buildings with taller first floor
and/or floor-to-floor heights
Reserved for the addition of a floor of
parking to the existing parking structure
to serve parking district needs
3-story
Areas not shaded indicate no
change (under 35’)
4-story
4-story
5 floors or 55’ maximum
MAKING CHOICES: BUILDING HEIGHT!
DC
BA
MIXED USE WITH STRONG CIVIC PRESENCE EMPHASIZE MIXED-USESTRONGLY EMPHASIZEHOUSINGEMPHASIZE HOUSING
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
MAKING CHOICES: LAND USE!
Mixed-Use 2
High Density 1
Land Uses Legend
Mixed-Use 1
High Density 2
Mixed Density Residential (existing)
High Density 3
D
P. 16
Refer to
booklet for
more info
C
BA
MIXED USE WITH STRONG CIVIC PRESENCE EMPHASIZE MIXED-USESTRONGLY EMPHASIZEHOUSINGEMPHASIZE HOUSING
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
CONNECTIONS
Alpine Ave.
North St.
Portland Pl.
Cedar Ave.
Dellwood Ave.7th St.9th St.10th St.11th St.13th St.10th St.9th St.13th St.BroadwayBalsam Ave.
N
Ideal Market
Community PlazaNorth Boulder Park
NEW LOCAL STREET
PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION
MULTI-USE PATH
ALLEY WAY ENHANCEMENTS/
REALIGNMENT
RESIDENTIAL ON-STREET LOADING
CURBSIDE MANAGEMENT
MOBILITY PLAZA
BUS SUPER STOP
PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY CENTER
AREA PLAN BOUNDARY
DRAFT AREA PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS
UNDER TMP EVALUATION
TMP RECOMMENDATIONS
POTENTIAL BIKE LANE (PREFERRED
BUFFERED)
POTENTIAL FUTURE GREENSTREETS
POTENTIAL INTERSECTION
IMPROVEMENTS
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENSTREET
(13TH STREET)
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
(13TH STREET)
LEGEND
1
5
43
2
8
7
6
1
23
4
5
6 7
8
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
Alpine-Balsam
ACCESS & MOBILITY
ACCESS DISTRICT STRATEGY
`Current programs include ECO Passes, vanpool subsidies, parking cashout,
telework, bike/car share, managed parking and other access management and
parking strategies.
`Advanced mobility options could include mobility on-demand (UBER and LYFT),
micro transit, shared autonomous vehicles, etc.
ACCESS DISTRICT PROGRAMS AND AMENITIES
`Create a General Improvement District (GID) that collects property taxes to fund
on-going transportation demand management (TDM) programs and parking
management. The district could be expanded to adjacent properties that want
to receive the benefits.
`An on-site mobility hub could include a bikeshare station, carshare vehicles,
mobility on-demand services, and electric car or bicycle charging.
PARKING SUPPLY AND MANAGEMENT
`Apply SUMP principles (Shared, Unbundled,Managed and Paid
parking) to the maximum extent to reduce the need to build
additional parking in the area.
`Residential parking requirements should be limited to one parking
space per unit, and maximums set for commercial parking at the
Enhanced Access and Mobility Strategy level.
`Mitigate the impacts of spillover parking in the surrounding
commercial and residential neighbourhoods with a possible
Neighborhood Permit Program.
TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY
The analysis of trip generation and traffic impact concluded that:
`All of the study intersections currently operate at a *Level of Service
(LOS) C or better and all options would perform similarly to the
existing conditions.
`The trips generated after redevelopment of the Alpine-Balsam site
will not exceed the trips that were generated in the past when the
site was a fully functioning hospital.
`On-going TDM programs and services and parking management are
essential for the site to function effectively after redevelopment.
Level of Service (LOS) characterizes the operational conditions of
an intersections traffic flow, ranging from LOS A (indicating very
good, free flow operations) and LOS F (indicating congested and
sometimes oversaturated conditions). Typically, an acceptable
level of service is LOS D or better in the peak hours.
*WHAT IS LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS)?