07.24.19 HAB Handout 2TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 4
HOUSING 6
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER 8
CIVIC CENTER 10
FLOOD MITIGATION 11
ACCESS & MOBILITY 12
HISTORIC PRESERVATION 14
WHAT WE HEARD 15
LAND USE PROTOTYPES 16
KEY TOPICS
BOOKLET
Alpine-Balsam
Imagine a vibrant neighborhood
with expanded commercial
services and an amenity-rich
public realm. Possibilities come
in many forms – from some civic
services to small-scale retail
that complements neighborhood
needs. A mixed-use main street
along Broadway with ground
floor uses that are active and fun
to explore. Or a civic campus to
serve both the City of Boulder and
Boulder County community. New
housing that offers opportunities
to enjoy the vibrant Boulder
experience could add an inter-
generational feeling, where
grandchildren and grandparents
walk to the park.
The future vision for the Alpine-
Balsam area will be outlined in
the area plan. The plan for both
the redeveloping hospital site
as well as the nearby areas will
outline future changes in the area
to achieve the future vision. This
includes identifying the wonderful
aspects of the area that should
remain.
The Alpine-Balsam Area Plan has
citywide impact and interest, and
as such, it is being designed in
partnership with the community.
Public engagement for this
phase of work will be in-person
guided open houses, with an
array of boards and handouts and
a detailed feedback form. The
online BeHeard Boulder platform
will seek to emulate this format
by utilizing visual and written
materials alongside a feedback
form.
VISION PLAN
The 2015 purchase of the Alpine-
Balsam property (formerly the
home of Boulder Community
Health, described as “the site”)
was a strategic investment for
the community, in part motivated
by the desire to shape the
redevelopment of an area that
has been focused around a major
healthcare facility for decades,
and in part to address the city’s
facilities needs by creating a
Customer Service Hub in a way
that reflects Boulder’s vision and
values.
The Alpine-Balsam Vision Plan,
developed with significant
community involvement and
accepted by City Council on June
6, 2017, guides redevelopment of
the site.
WHY PLAN FOR CHANGES
BEYOND THE SITE?
Change and evolution are healthy
for communities. Sometimes
there are big changes like
redevelopment of the hospital
site, and sometimes changes are
slower and more incremental
as buildings get replaced or
renovated.
The city creates area plans
where change is expected
in the near future and looks
beyond the borders of any one
redevelopment site to ensure
areas evolve according to the
desired vision and to ensure
that public improvements will
be in place to support the new
development and advance
city goals. Changes in land
use and zoning don’t require
areas to redevelop but provide
the vision so that over time,
change happens in ways that are
expected and appropriate.
INTRODUCTION
This booklet serves to supplement the open house boards and answer community questions.
“Alpine-Balsam will be a
vibrant multi-generational
hub for community life and
local government services –
a welcoming and inclusive
new model for equitable,
affordable and sustainable
living.”
- Alpine-Blasam Vision Plan
1
WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING CONSIDERED?
The area planning process affords the opportunity to develop and evaluate a range of choices for land use,
public realm and open spaces, access and mobility, facilities and services, and other infrastructure.
The options described in this booklet and in other materials outline key choices for land use. The area plan will
inform changes to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map, which in turn informs zoning and
more specific site planning. The area plan provides more detailed direction for the area in the form of design
guidelines and plans.
MAP OR GRAPHIC
MAP OR GRAPHICMAP OR GRAPHIC
SEE PROJECT WEBSITE FOR LINK TO VISION PLAN HOW AREA PLANNING FITS IN A COMMUNITY PLANNING FRAMEWORK
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN PLANNING BOUNDARY
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ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
3
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
At the start of this process, Alpine-Balsam Area Plan goals were shared with the Planning Board,
City Council and community. The goals below build upon the initial goals, adding clarifying
objectives based on further analysis, option development and community feedback.
2
1 LAND USE & URBAN DESIGN: ENHANCE THE
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TO SUPPORT A VIBRANT
MIX OF USES FOR COMMUNITY LIFE
3 PUBLIC REALM & PUBLIC SPACES: PROVIDE
ENGAGING AND WELCOMING PUBLIC SPACES
`Provide a mix of uses necessary for the neighborhood center as a destination
`Include a mix of uses for day and evening activity
`Create ground floor spacesthat are engaging and support a variety of active uses
`Provide various scales and types of public spaces
`Include high-quality, pedestrian-oriented public realm, including green streets, walkways and
indoor and outdoor gathering spaces for public use
`Develop multi-functional green space for ecological and community benefit
2 LAND USE & URBAN DESIGN: INCORPORATE DESIGN
AND CHARACTER THAT RESPECTS AND ENHANCES
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
`Include a diverse and varied built form to respond to the neighborhood context
`Provide permeability to the surrounding neighborhood and North Boulder Park
`Concentrate the tallest buildings toward Broadway
`Protect historic qualities and encourage adaptive reuse of historic properties
4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES: CREATE A CENTRAL-
IZED LOCAL GOVERNMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE HUB
`Renovations and/or new construction improves energy performance and advances climate
commitment goals for city facilities
`Include space for public art and activities to create a welcoming and inclusive community hub
5 HOUSING: CREATE DIVERSE AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
6 ACCESS & MOBILITY: IMPROVE WALKABILITY, SAFETY
AND CONNECTIONS WITH WELL-CONNECTED AND
PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED STREETS AND WALKWAYS
7 ACCESS & MOBILITY: IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE
MULTI-MODAL ACCESS AND PARKING STRATEGY THAT
SUPPORTS THE FULL RANGE OF MOBILITY CHOICES
8 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY & FLOOD
MITIGATION : INTEGRATE ENVIRONMENTALLY
SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES INTO THE LAYOUT AND
FUNCTION OF THE PUBLIC REALM AND BUILT
ENVIRONMENT
`Allow for a variety of housing sizes, types and prices including rental and ownership opportunities
`Provide a diverse mixture of housing types to balance market-rate and permanently affordable units
`Housing serves various community needs and a range of household types
`Improve neighborhood connections between the park, retail, services, public spaces, bus stops
and other destinations with improved bicycle and pedestrian pathways
`Develop safe streets and crossings, especially along Broadway, for all people regardless of
ability, and all modes of travel
`Integrate vehicular access carefully to minimize conflicts with pedestrians and bicycles
`Initiate an Access District (general improvement district) to provide a sustainable source of
funding for parking management and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs
through property taxes, for residents and employees
`Plan for mobility hub for bikeshare, carshare and access to mobility on-demand services
`Develop sufficient parking for all uses, applying Access Management and Parking Strategies
(AMPS) tools and strategies
`Include curbside management for ride-sharing and freight pick up and drop off
`Plan for inviting transit / multi-modal experiences with active uses near transit, sidewalk
connections and transit shelters
`Include integrated stormwater and flood management strategies, with a focus on the benefits
of green infrastructure
`Increase the urban tree canopy and variety of tree species
`Flood mitigation improvements balance naturalized systems with cost-effectiveness of
mitigation and desired land uses
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ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
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HOUSING IN THE AREA
Most properties in the area are privately owned, and
any redevelopment in the area would be done by
private owners. If current trends continue, most
new housing will likely be rental and meet the
inclusionary requirement with cash-in-lieu. The
funds would then be used to produce a greater number
of affordable units (30%-32%) at other locations
throughout the city.
The primary affordable housing outcome for the area
plan will be through the city’s inclusionary housing
program (IH) which requires that new residential
developments with five or more units contribute
25% of the total units as permanently affordable
housing. The program provides four options to meet
the requirement:
`provide the affordable units on-site;
`provide the affordable units off-site at a different
location;
`contribute cash-in-lieu of affordable units; or,
`dedicate land that is equivalent to the value of the
requirement.
HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT SITE
The city has more influence over the affordable
housing outcomes on the site as a landowner. Density
levels of approximately 170 or more units on site
is considered the minimum threshold to build
affordable housing on site. There will likely need
to be a mix of market rate and affordable housing.
At this time, all parking is expected to be met in the
existing parking structure.
HOUSING
Affordable housing is a primary goal for the site redevelopment. Creating a community of seniors,
urban downtown homeowners and folks getting on their feet with the help of support services
could create the envisioned “vibrant multi-generational hub for community life” as outlined in the
Alpine-Balsam Vision.
3
HOUSING TRENDS
Within the planning area boundary, there are approximately 400 housing units and a range of housing types and
tenure including apartments, condos, single-family homes, townhomes, cooperative housing and mixed use.
EXAMPLES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BOULDER; (LEFT) ON-SITE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING AND (RIGHT) NEWER AFFORDABLE SENIOR APARTMENTS.
EXAMPLE OF PERMANENTLY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN BOULDER.
THESE APARTMENTS PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES TO THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS.
The Alpine-Balsam Vision Plan supported affordable housing on the site to meet critical
housing needs and an opportunity to serve seniors, people with disabilities, people
transitioning out of homelessness, and low/moderate and middle-income homebuyers.
Each land use option is summarized in the table below for affordable housing outcomes on the hospital site:
HOSPITAL SITE RENTAL
HOUSING
IH CASH-
IN-LIEU
TRANSITIONAL
HOUSING
FOR-SALE
HOUSING
NOTES
OPTION A:
EMPHASIZE HOUSING
good good better good Flexibility allows for
different housing types;
density adequate
OPTION B: STRONGLY
EMPHASIZE HOUSING
better better good better Results in the highest
affordable housing
levels
OPTION C:
EMPHASIZE MIXED
USE
good good better good Flexibility allows for
different housing types;
adequate density
OPTION D: MIXED
USE WITH A CIVIC
PRESENCE
poor poor poor good Reduces developable
area for residential
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ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
7
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
The Alpine-Balsam Neighborhood Center is well-loved and functions well. The hospital served
as an important anchor and with its relocation, it is important to ensure the center evolves to
maintain and improve economic and social viability.
4
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP) POLICY
The BVCP provides policy direction and guiding principles for
neighborhood centers including:
A. Encouraging well-designed mixed-use and higher density
development that incorporates a substantial amount of
affordable housing in appropriate locations, in proximity to
multimodal corridors and transit centers.
B. Encouraging neighborhood centers to provide pedestrian-
friendly and welcoming environments with a mix of land uses.
C. Supporting evolution of centers to become mixed-use places
and strive to accomplish the guiding principles:
1. Meet everyday needs of neighboring communities.
2. Ensure appropriate scale transitions to neighboring
residential uses
3. Encourage a richness of transportation amenities
4. Encourage parking management strategies
5. Ensure comfort and safety
WHAT DOES CHANGING THE LAND USE TO MIXED USE 1 AND MIXED USE 2 (MU1 /MU2) ACHIEVE?
MU signals the desire for neighborhood centers to evolve by encouraging well-designed mixed-use and higher
density development that incorporates a substantial amount of affordable housing.
This change doesn’t require redevelopment but may provide more flexibility than the current land use and
zoning for commercial or medical uses to evolve over time. The existing commercial and medical uses (i.e.
Boulder Medical Center) are highly valued and recommended to remain as anchors of the neighborhood center.
MU typically includes a wider range of allowed uses to include more types of retail, professional or personal
services that help “complete” a 15-minute neighborhood, and encourages the addition of housing.
There are several zoning districts that align with a MU Land Use prototype – the implementation process will
help determine what zoning is most appropriate to achieve the goals outlined specifically for the Alpine-Balsam
neighborhood center.
HOW MIGHT HOUSING BE ADDED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER?
Currently there are no housing units in the Neighborhood Center district. While the district is largely surrounded
by high, medium and low-density residential uses, the district could benefit from the addition of housing units,
bringing greater daytime and nighttime vitality to the area. New housing could be located either above the
existing (or new) structures or in areas currently occupied by surface parking.
FIGURE 2. SKETCH OF NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER (BVCP, 2015)
MAP OR
GRAPHIC
FIGURE 1. SKETCH OF NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER (BVCP, 2015)
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ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
9
CITY SERVICE HUB
The Alpine-Balsam Neighborhood Center is well-loved and functions well. The hospital served
as an important anchor and with its relocation, it is important to ensure the center evolves to
maintain and improve economic and social viability.
5
The 2015 purchase of the Alpine-Balsam property (formerly the home of Boulder Community Health) was
a strategic investment for the community, in part motivated by the desire to shape the redevelopment of an
area that has been focused around a major healthcare facility for decades, and in part to address the city’s
decentralized service challenges in a way that reflects Boulder’s vision and values by creating a Customer
Service Hub.
A consolidated customer service center will co-locate key city services, improving access and better serving
the community. The site allows for relocation of city offices out of the high hazard flood plain in the Civic Area, in
alignment with the Civic Area Master Plan. The reuse of the Medical Pavilion also offers opportunities for long-
term cost savings for operations, maintenance and improved customer service.
Land Use Option #5 considers mixed use with strong civic presence, including the possibility of relocating
Boulder County’s Health and Human Service Hub at Alpine-Balsam. Staff is working with the County to further
assess the viability, impacts and benefits, which will all be presented to City Council in the draft plan in August.
All options provide a public plaza with the local government service hub, allowing for increased communal open
space for community use and encouraging vibrancy.
Key findings include:
`New monitoring data show that the very high water table in North Boulder Park impacts the ability to construct
detention that maintains usability of the park.
`Achieving significant detention of the 100-year flow in the park would result in unacceptable impacts to the
park and is not recommended for further consideration.
The area plan will continue to evaluate flood mitigation that focuses on site-specific flood mitigation in an
approach that regulates to city standards and does not attempt to address the impacts of the 100-year flood in
the surrounding neighborhood. It will likely entail some fill and grading to move the floodplain and may require
elevating buildings.
A conveyance channel is anticipated along Balsam Avenue, mirroring the historic flow path. The added benefit
of conveyance along Balsam is the ability to utilize Balsam as an emergency overflow of flood waters greater
than that expected of a 100-year flood event.
The Upper Goose Creek Flood Mitigation Study will proceed in evaluating potential flood mitigation improvements
in the reaches downstream of the Alpine-Balsam site and that will proceed on a different schedule than the
area plan.
FLOOD MITIGATION
The Alpine-Balsam site and immediate area are impacted by the 100-year, Conveyance and High
Hazard flood zones. Staff and consultants have explored many options for flood mitigation for both
the site and wider area that included constructing flood mitigation in North Boulder Park.
6
10
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11
ACCESS AND MOBILITY
The Alpine-Balsam site presents opportunities to leverage investment for an enhanced range of
travel choices and to prepare for future transportation trends and technologies.
7
POLICY DIRECTION IS BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING:
`2017 Alpine-Balsam Vision Plan
`Transportation Master Plan (TMP)
`Access Management and Parking Strategy
(AMPS) and SUMP Principles
`Climate Commitment
ACCESS AND MOBILITY STRATEGY KEY
POINTS (PROPOSED FOR ALL OPTIONS)
ACCESS DISTRICT AND PARKING MANAGEMENT
`Create a general improvement district to fund on-
going transportation demand management (TDM)
programs and parking management. This will
initially serve the redeveloped hospital site with
the potential to expand to adjacent properties.
.Shared: parking spaces between commercial, residential, and visitor uses at different times of the
day maximize overall use of the infrastructure throughout the day and decreasing the overall need
for newly constructed facilities.
.Unbundled: parking spaces are leased separately from housing units and priced at market rates.
.Managed: all parking is managed by time and/ or cost and enforced regularly.
.Paid: no free parking is provided within the management district.
`Mitigate the impact of spill-over parking surrounding commercial and residential areas with these strategies
and potentially a Neighborhood Permit Program.
MULTIMODAL IMPROVEMENTS
`The Connections Plan proposes infrastructure changes and improvements suggested by community
members to make the area safer and easier to get around.
MOBILITY HUB
`Create a mobility hub that includes a bikeshare station, carshare vehicles, micro-mobility options, like
electric scooters, pick-up and drop-off curbside, electric vehicles or bicycle charging station.
`Through Access District funding, all employees and residents would be provided with EcoPasses, bike share
and carshare memberships, and potentially other subsidized travel options in the future.
`The need to build additional parking in the planning area will be reduced by combining TDM programs with
the SUMP principles of shared, managed and paid parking.
WHY IS THIS LEVEL OF PARKING PROPOSED?
`Implements policy direction from the
Transportation Master Plan, Climate Commitment
and the Alpine-Balsam Vision Plan.
`Is based on current data about citywide parking
supply and demand.
`Is informed by trends of current use of
transportation options and impact of mobility on
demand services, like Uber and Lyft.
TMP Recommendation
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ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
13
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
8
WHAT WE HEARD
The January to February 2019 phase of engagement focused on learning about the community’s
preferences related to land use goals, character, access, and mobility for the Alpine-Balsam area.
120 people participated at the workshops and 60 participated online through BeHeard Boulder.
9
Staff hosted 10 small group workshops at different
times and days. A questionnaire on BeHeardBoulder.
org was available; key takeaways incorporated
feedback from both venues.
`Neighborhood Quality of Life (mix of people and
housing, character and safety of residential areas,
walkability, and access to park, retail, downtown,
and mountains) is high.
`The Neighborhood Center functions well and is
beloved. People appreciate the current look and
feel of the center as well as easy access to a range
of retail, commercial and medical uses in the area.
`People LOVE North Boulder Park but as the area
changes, other green and open spaces will be
important for connections and places to gather.
Changes for flood mitigation should be carefully
considered.
`Access and Mobility Hub. People appreciate the
current ability to walk, bike, take transit and drive.
There are concerns about more traffic and parking.
People suggest improvements for safety, ease of
moving through the area with or without a car, and
all-mode mobility.
City-owned site
`Mixed views on new housing and density:
Because of the area’s close proximity to downtown,
jobs, services, and transit, some see the area as
an ideal location to add density in order to address
critical housing needs in an innovative and attractive
way. Conversely, some neighborhood residents
have concerns that adding too much housing on the
City’s site that is “too big” could negatively impact
traffic, parking, services, and visual character.
`People want innovative and thoughtful
redevelopment that fits in, supports the
neighborhood center, adds value, and includes
good public spaces. They want some affordable
housing for different populations, open spaces,
gathering places and a little retail.
The Alpine-Balsam Area has a neighborhood character with eclectic mix of building types, styles
and vintages. The Area Plan seeks to balance the increased density and the important community
value of neighborhood character and preserving sites that are significant to Boulder’s history.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONSIDERATIONS
The existing Historic Preservation Ordinance requires
review for any building over 50 years old proposed
for demolition to identify potential landmarks and
provide time to find alternatives to demolition. The
Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan encourages the
identification and protection of historic buildings and
sites with input from the community (policy 2.27)
and states that significant buildings and sites should
be protected through local designation for projects
subject to discretionary review (i.e. Site Review)
projects. Designated buildings (landmarks and historic
district) are subject to design review but they are not
static—the design guidelines ensure that changes to
the building are compatible with its historic character.
Incentives including State Tax Credits, eligibility
for grants, and variances in the energy, building and
zoning codes are available to owners of designated
properties.
Initial observations from Historic Preservation staff
include:
`The southern portion of the area contains a number
of early 20th century vernacular frame houses which
appear to have potential historic and architectural
significance.
`There are a number of mid-century, medium density
apartment buildings located in the study area that may
be of potential historic and architectural significance
and reflective of growth in the years following WWII.
`Designed by noted Boulder Modernist architect
Hobart Wagener, the Ideal Market and Community
Plaza are important examples of regional Modernist
commercial architecture and potentially eligible for
local Landmark Designation and listing on the state
and national registers of historic places.
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15
LAND USE PROTOTYPES
The area plan’s land use prototypes are more detailed than the standard Boulder Valley
Comprehensive Plan (BVCP) land uses in order to inform desired urban form and character. These
prototypes will inform changes to BVCP land use and zoning when implementing the plan.
10
What’s a Prototype?
The land use prototypes described in this
section are similar to the land uses defined
in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan,
but provide more detail and information. This
information is meant to provide a greater level
of detail to the reader about the desired urban
form and character, and will ultimately inform
zoning choices in the area.
To facilitate consideration of future
opportunities and different future visions to
meet a range of goals in the area, staff has
proposed alternative land use options that
suggest new land use prototypes in the area.
The proposed prototypes used in the options
are described in more detail in the following
pages, including a description of the allowed
uses, building density and form, who might
live or work there, and photos illustrating
a range of potential building examples.
How to Use Prototypes
When looking at the land use options Boards, reference the definitions and descriptions contained within
this section for a more detailed understanding of the potential land uses. The boards provide a few example
images of the potential character of new development, but ultimate design, materials, and features would be
determined at a later time. The prototype pages provide a range images with descriptions of the land uses.
Understanding Land Use Prototypes and Options
When looking at the boards and listed land use options, refer back to the booklet to get a more detailed
description of what a new land use designation entails.
Example:
For the Option A of the land use options, the area directly east of the Alpine-Balsam site includes both Mixed
Use 1 and High Density Residential 1. The two land use prototypes are color coded to help better illustrate
where these changes may be taking place and directly relate back to the information contained within this
section.
Alpine Av
ValleyV i e w Dr
Dewey Av
Concord Av
Elder Av
BroadwayPortland Pl
9
t
h
S
t
Maxwell Av
Dellwood Av
North St6th StBalsam Av
Cedar Av
High St13th StJefferson St14th St11th St10th St7th St8th StSunsetB v
MUR
MUB
PUB
LR
HR
PUB
TB
MR
PK-U/O
PUB
MR
MXR
HR
LR
MXR
OS-DR
HR
PK-U/O
MXR
HR
HR
TB
HR
MXR
HRLR
CB CB
LR
Legend
300 600 900 1,2001500
Feet
Area Plan Boundary
TB (Transitional Business)
PUB (Public/ Semi-Public)
MXR (Mixed Density Residenital)
CB (Community Business)
MR (Medium Density Residential)
HR (High Density Residential)
MUR (Mixed Use Residenital)
MUB (Mixed Use Business)
PK-U/O (Park, Urban and Other)
N
14%
Community Business
20%
<1%
2%
12%
1%
Mixed Use Business2%
22%
Park, Urban and Othe r
13%
Public
12%
Existing Planning Area Land Use Distribution16
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DESCRIPTION
`Least dense of the high-density residential prototypes.
`Characterized by 2-3 story alley-loaded rowhouse or townhouse units and stacked flats or apartments.
`Generally would have at-grade communal open space or greenspace. Most private open space would be located on balconies or roof decks.
WHO WOULD LIVE HERE?
`Housing units like this attract couples, singles, or small families.
`Townhome units with visible yard space could be particularly attractive to families with kids.
`Apartments or stacked flats could provide opportunities for hard to house populations like seniors or people with disabilities or permanently supportive housing.
`Pricing can range from affordable to high-end market rate.
HDR1 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL 1
INTENSITY
Up to 30 Dwelling Units
Per Acre
BUILT FORM
2-3 Stories, No More Than 35', Mixed Housing Types from Rowhouses to Stacked Flats
SIMILAR ZONING
RM-3, RH-3, or Create New Zoning District
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
17
DESCRIPTION
`Generally 1 - 3 story mixed-use buildings with ground floor
commercial uses with housing above.
`Similar to other mixed-use areas in Boulder like North Boulder
Village Center, east and west Pearl Street, and some lower intensity areas of Boulder Junction.
`Should include easily discernable entry features, welcoming forecourts to encourage public access and orientation to green spaces.
`Should be designed with the pedestrian in mind and programmed with an active ground floor level.
WHO WOULD LIVE AND WORK HERE?
`Can include a wide range of retail (e.g. stores and restaurants), personal services (e.g. day care, yoga studio), or professional services (e.g. medical or law offices).
`Housing would likely attract singles, workforce (if affordable), empty nesters and seniors.
MU1 MIXED USE 1
INTENSITY
FAR up to 2.5
BUILT FORM
Mid-rise Block, Single Use Buildings or a Mix of Commercial,
Residential, and/or Public Uses.
SIMILAR ZONING
BMS, or Create New Zoning
District
Alpine-Balsam
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DESCRIPTION
`The land use and zoning for the Mixed Density areas were
developed to reflect Boulder neighborhoods near the downtown
that originated as single family but for a time were zoned for higher
densities. These areas developed over time with many types of
housing on a single block.
`The goal is to preserve the existing character and diverse mix.
Some new housing units may be added.
`Housing types include single family homes, duplexes, and multi-
family in the form of apartments and condos.
WHO WOULD LIVE HERE?
`Housing units like this attract couples, singles, or small families.
`Townhome units with visible yard space could be particularly
attractive to families with kids.
`Pricing can range from affordable to high-end market rate.
MXR MIXED DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
INTENSITY
5-50 Dwelling Units Per Acre
BUILT FORM
1-4 Stories, Variety of Residential
and Commercial Types
SIMILAR ZONING
Zoning is already Established
DESCRIPTION
`Least dense of the high-density residential prototypes.
`Characterized by 2-3 story alley-loaded rowhouse or townhouse
units and stacked flats or apartments.
`Generally would have at-grade communal open space or
greenspace. Most private open space would be located on
balconies or roof decks.
`Townhomes would likely self-park (not utilize shared parking in
structure).
WHO WOULD LIVE HERE?
`Housing units like this attract couples, singles, or small families.
`Townhome units with visible yard space could be particularly
attractive to families with kids.
`Apartments or stacked flats could provide affordable housing to
serve diverse populations, including seniors, people living with
disabilities, or those needing permanently supportive housing.
`Pricing can range from affordable to high-end market rate.
HDR1 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL 1
INTENSITY
Up to 30 Dwelling Units
Per Acre
BUILT FORM
2-3 Stories, No More Than
35', Mixed Housing Types from
Rowhouses to Stacked Flats
SIMILAR ZONING
RM-3, RH-3, or Create
New Zoning District
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DESCRIPTION
`Characterized by 3-story larger footprint apartment buildings with
a height limit of 35’. It could be beneficial to encourage pitched
roofs by allowing a height modification to accommodate a different
roof form.
`Buildings should provide a substantial amount (approx. 50%)
of beneficial at-grade open space for residents with a sense of
comfort and enclosure to provide a relief to density and increase
the types of private and public open space on the site.
`With parking reductions or parking accommodated in the other
structure, density levels may seem higher than if similar unit types
were developed with on-site parking.
WHO WOULD LIVE HERE?
`Housing units like this attract couples, singles, or small families.
`Units with more bedrooms could be attractive to families with kids.
`Apartments or stacked flats could provide affordable housing to
serve diverse populations, including seniors, people living with
disabilities, or those needing permanently supportive housing.
`Pricing can range from affordable to high-end market rate.
HDR2 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL 2
INTENSITY
30-60 Dwelling Units Per
Acre
BUILT FORM
Up to 3 Stories, Allows Heights
Above 35' for Pitched Roof Forms
SIMILAR ZONING
RH-3, or Create New
Zoning District
DESCRIPTION
`Characterized by 3-4 story, larger footprint apartment buildings up
to a building height limit of 55’. It would be necessary to allow for
a height modification to allow an additional floor and to encourage
well-balanced pitched roof forms if desired.
`Buildings should provide a substantial amount (approx. 50%)
of beneficial at-grade open space for residents with a sense of
comfort and enclosure to provide a relief to density and increase
the types of private and public open space on the site.
`With parking reductions or parking accommodated in the other
structure, density levels may seem higher than if similar unit types
were developed with on-site parking
WHO WOULD LIVE HERE?
`Housing units like this attract couples, singles, or small families.
`Units with more bedrooms could be attractive to families with kids.
`Apartments or stacked flats could provide affordable housing to
serve diverse populations, including seniors, people living with
disabilities, or those needing permanently supportive housing.
`Pricing can range from affordable to high-end market rate.
HDR3 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL 3
INTENSITY
60-90 Dwelling Units Per
Acre
BUILT FORM
Up to 4 Stories, Allows for
Heights Above 35'
SIMILAR ZONING
RH-3, or Create New
Zoning District
20
Alpine-Balsam
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
21
DESCRIPTION
`Generally 1 - 3 story mixed-use buildings with ground floor
commercial uses with housing above.
`Similar to other mixed-use areas in Boulder like North Boulder
Village Center, east and west Pearl Street, and some lower
intensity areas of Boulder Junction.
`Should include easily discernable entry features, welcoming
forecourts to encourage public access and orientation to green
spaces.
`Should be designed with the pedestrian in mind and programmed
with an active ground floor level.
WHO WOULD LIVE AND WORK HERE?
`Can include a wide range of retail (e.g. stores and restaurants),
personal services (e.g. day care, yoga studio), or professional
services (e.g. medical or law offices).
`Housing would likely attract singles, workforce (if affordable),
empty nesters and seniors.
MU1 MIXED USE 1
INTENSITY
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) up
to 1.5
BUILT FORM
Mid-rise Block, Single Use
Buildings or a Mix of Commercial,
Residential, and/or Public Uses.
SIMILAR ZONING
Buisiness Main Street
(BMS), or Create New Zoning
District
DESCRIPTION
`Generally 2 - 4 story mixed-use buildings with ground floor
commercial uses with housing above.
`Similar to higher intensity areas of Boulder Junction and Downtown.
`Civic buildings should be clearly identifiable and inviting with
amenity-rich public spaces.
`Should be designed with pedestrian in mind and programmed with
an active ground floor level.
WHO WOULD LIVE AND WORK HERE?
`Can include a wide range of retail (e.g. stores and restaurants),
personal services (e.g. day care, yoga studio), or professional
services (e.g. medical or law offices), or civic/governmental
services.
`Housing would likely attract singles, workforce (if affordable),
empty nesters and seniors.
MU2 MIXED USE 2
INTENSITY
60-90 Dwelling Units Per
Acre
BUILT FORM
Up to 4 Stories, Allows for
Heights Above 35'
SIMILAR ZONING
RH-3, or Create New
Zoning District
ALPINE-BALSAM AREA PLAN
23
Alpine-Balsam
22