In 2019, the city added permanently affordable housing as a community benefit option that would apply to buildings that add a 4th or 5th story over the zoning district height limit (no taller than the city charter limit of 55 feet). Such projects still have to receive Planning Board approval at a public hearing of a Site Review Height Modification. This was considered Phase 1 of the Community Benefit project.

Phase 2 is to analyze additional options for Community Benefit as related to requests for 4th or 5th story buildings over the zoning district height limit. City Council has reviewed several options and has directed staff to focus on the following three community benefit options:

  • Below market rate commercial space
  • Space for Arts and Cultural uses
  • Human/social services

Planning staff is also looking at updating the detailed Site Review criteria that apply to larger development projects in the city to:

  • Better achieve city goals and policies, particularly related to design, energy use and resiliency
  • Create a greater level of predictability in projects, and
  • To simplify the criteria and reduce redundancy

Staff is also looking at additional design requirements applied to taller buildings for enhanced compatibility and reducing impact to important public view corridors.

Community Benefit Phase 2 Questionnaire

The city has up to seven questions for you on this topic – Please use the information on the BeHeardBoulder webpage and the project webpage to help inform your responses as needed.

Visit the Be Heard Boulder Website

What is Be Heard Boulder?

Be Heard Boulder is the city’s online, 24/7 digital engagement platform. Share your feedback on a variety of projects from the convenience of your computer or phone.

This online platform offers a variety of interactive tools, including discussion forums, polls, surveys and crowdsource mapping. Use Be Heard Boulder to contribute your ideas and ask questions about featured projects, at times that work best for you.
The City of Boulder will often use online feedback in conjunction with face-to-face consultation activities – such as meetings, open houses or surveys – to reach a more representative cross-section of our community.