Boulder’s proposed affordable housing linkage fee set for public hearing

BOULDER — The Boulder City Council will hear public comments on a proposed impact fee that would be imposed on commercial development to help fund the city’s affordable housing program.

The council on Tuesday night passed the first reading of the proposal and will hear public comments and consider a second reading on Tuesday, March 17.

The proposed ordinance would charge fees ranging from $2.24 per square foot for schools to $9.53 per square foot for office buildings. Hospitals would be charged $8.23 per square foot, $7.70 for business parks, $6.96 for retail/restaurant structures and $5.62 for light industrial.

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The amounts are based on a 2009 study conducted for the city by TishlerBise that have been adjusted for cost increases. They would be collected at the time a building permit is issued.

The city is considering how to address projects that already have received site review approval but have yet to file for a building permit.

The city’s staff is suggesting the proposed fees become effective July 6, allowing some projects in the pipeline to acquire building permits at the previous rates.

The city has identified 10 such projects including:

Eads/Golden Buff, hotel, office and retail at 1725 28th St.

James Travel, residential and office, 1750 14th St.

Western Disposal, industrial, 2655 N. 63rd St.

Residence Inn, hotel, 2250 Canyon Blvd.

Flatirons Storage, storage facility, 5675 Arapahoe Road

Google at Pearl Place, office, 2930 Pearl St.

Boulder Beer expansion, brewery, 2880 Wilderness Place

Washington Village II, dwelling units with office, 1215 Cedar

Kum & Go, gas station/convenience store, 3365 Diagonal Highway

Trinity Commons, residential, community meeting space and office, 2200 Broadway.

Based on analysis of building permit records, the city’s staff estimates that between November 2011 and December 2014, the city would have assessed between $7 million and $8 million in fees on approximately 1 million square feet of new nonresidential development.