Thread by @shayshinecastle

Gonna spend a brief time on the call-up item, which Mayor Weaver indicated yesterday council is not particularly interested in. Staff presentation: www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/Item_4A_-…

This is a concept plan, meaning that even if council calls it up, they will just be providing feedback, not voting and approving or disapproving.

Address: 1820 15th Street, 1603 Walnut
Formerly First Presbyterian Church, now Grace Commons

Church and annex
Addition to be demolished and rebuilt into:
104,873 sq ft campus
15th Street: Recreation space, meeting rooms
49 ft tall
Walnut: 4-story building (55 ft)
Assembly space, cafe, 30 affordable units (second and third stories) fourth-story event space, deck

Planning Board feedback: design changes necessary; event space/deck could impact neighbors

Public feedback: 20 emails, mostly from concerned neighbors, some of whom we heard from tonight

Planner Elaine McLaughlin going over all the approvals this project will eventually need. Design Advisory Board, Landmarks, Planning Board and (possibly, if they decide) council. Plus a "good neighbor" meeting.

Wallach Sigh-O-Meter: 2

Wallach Sigh-O-Meter: 3

He's concerned about the height of the buildings facing the neighborhood: 49 and 55 ft, which is the citywide height limit

It was a two-sigh question.

Wallach: What's the rationale for an event space on top of the affordable housing? It seems not to be consistent with the goals of affordable housing?

Peter Weber, representing the applicant, is answering: It's intended to be used by the general public. We'll put a management plan together as part of use review.

The purpose is partially financial: It will help pay for this project.

Wallach: That can't be put anywhere else?
Weber: Idk that it could not, but that's not what the application is.
Wallach: I'm not saying that. It's a sensitive subject for neighbors. Has the applicant discussed alternatives?

Weber: At this point we're in concept plan.
Wallach: Then at this point I'm expressing my concern.

Weaver: It does seem like the event space should be positioned as far away as possible from neighbors.

Also, is it being counted as open space for the purposes of those requirements for this development?

McLaughlin: I don't believe so. But this is close to the Pearl Street Mall, which can count. If they request it.

Wallach wants to call it up. They'll need 5 members to do so.

Nagle: "Once again, we're looking at an extremely ugly building. .... I don't understand why we're not looking at a more European-style rather than these truly heinous buildings."

Doesn't seem to be majority support for a council review. But comments from members on neighbor concerns. "Those should definitely be addressed," Swetlik says.

Swetlik: "It's really important in this case that the developers listen and learn."

Douglas Smith, repping the applicant: We looked at other options for the fourth floor, and there were many restrictions. Plus there is need for an event space downtown. It would be available to all of Boulder. And the revenues will fund the church's ministries.

"It makes the entire project work."

No council call-up, but members are making their desires known.

Swetlik wants "abundant noise mitigation" and "barriers for privacy" for nearby neighbors.

Wallach hopes the applicant understand why having a band play on the fourth floor could be disruptive to neighbors.

Weaver: This is a great project. I really appreciate the affordable housing (Reminder: 30 homes). We do need event space, but I hope the focus stays on what serves the community.