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2. Development Zone

The Development Zone consists of 129 acres of the 308-acre site. This area is designated “Public" in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.” Key terms related to the Development Zone include: 

  • Housing will be the predominant use on the property with 1,100 units anticipated for faculty, staff, graduate students and non-first year students. The final number of units will be determined housing demand and University plans, limited by transportation performance and other site constraints.

  • The agreement includes a commitment to provide up to five acres of the property to an affordable housing development for permanent, deed-restricted affordable housing on CU Boulder South aiming for approximately 110 affordable units.

  • The cumulative limit of non-residential development will be 750,000 square feet of floor area, with no single building greater than 175,000 sq.ft. This equates to about four non-residential buildings similar in size to the Aerospace Building on the East Campus.

  • Some limited accessory uses will be allowed, and are intended primarily for on-site residents, employees and visitors (e.g., restaurants, daycare, and community gardens.)

  • No large-scale research complexes, high-rise buildings, or large sporting venues will be allowed.

  • Dedication of two acres or long-term lease of land for a public safety facility.

  • A “Use Transition Zone” on the southwest portion of the site includes only residential development that is contextually appropriate to neighboring properties.

  • Building Height is limited to 55 feet and be further limited as the elevation increases to the west through a “Building Height Ceiling”. In practice, the height ceiling will allow 4 – 5 story buildings in the lower areas of the eastern portion of the Development Zone, with progressively shorter buildings permitted as the site grade increases toward the west. The intent is to match neighboring development while also protecting views of the mountain backdrop from Highway 36.

  • Development Standards – The annexation agreement for CU Boulder South includes numerous city development standards that otherwise do not apply to other campuses, like building setbacks (increased setback along the western property line), floodplain and wetland regulations (no habitable space in the 500-year floodplain), and outdoor lighting standards and noise limits.