Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
University Hill Neighborhood Association
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes - FINAL
The Castle House, February 21, 2019, 5:30 pm—7:00 pm
ATTENDING: Nancy Blackwood, Andrea Clark, Stephen Clark, Lori Schuyler, Lisa Spalding, Scott Thomas, Susan Stafford, Director, University of Colorado Boulder Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations
ABSENT: Jyotsna Raj, Beanne Rothenberg, Linda Sparn
HRWG Representatives: Lisa Nelson; Andrew Shoemaker
INVITED GUESTS: Stacy Silverstein Apple; Marcel de Lange, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Colorado Environmental Design Program; Kasha Malling, Graduate of the Masters of the Environment (MENV) Program at the University of Colorado Boulder; Johann Stoyva
UNIVERSITY HILL PUBLIC ART PROJECT (CU/CITY)
Kasha Malling presented a summary of the community outreach for the project last semester under Brian Muller, faculty director of CU’s Community Engagement, Design and Research Center (CEDaR). She and her team interviewed a cross section of people on the Hill, including students, residents, and transients. About 70% of the feedback was from students because they were the most accessible. Students repeatedly brought up safety, requesting that light be incorporated into the art installation so dark areas of the Hill would feel safer. A major component of the outreach involved where the art installation would be located. Ms. Malling graduated last semester, and Professor Muller handed the project off to Professor de Lange for the design-build phase.
Mandy Vink, the City of Boulder’s Public Art Program Manager, originally approached Professor de Lange about a joint CU/City art installation project for University Hill and provided grant money. He had previously led a group of 12 undergraduates in CU’s ENVD program on a design-build project that resulted in the Columbia Cemetery shed, which received the 2012 City of Boulder Historic Preservation Award.
Professor de Lange presented a summary of the work his students have accomplished to date. His students looked at various sites on the Hill and settled on Beach Park, a place chosen for its location between the commercial and residential areas and the ease with which the project could be constructed on that site. The students are focusing on an installation that will deal with place making, which will contribute to activating the space in a way that contributes to the community. Once built, the installation will remain in place for a minimum of five years. The students will set up a website devoted to the project this week.
A presentation on the project will take place on Friday, March 8th, 4:00—8:00 pm, in Room 134 of the Environmental Design Building. The public is invited to attend.
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS UPDATE
Scott Thomas reported that enrollment is still down at Flatirons Elementary. The PTO is trying to encourage people to consider the school because it offers students extraordinary resources. Although enrollment is down citywide, Flatirons suffers the most because it is the smallest school in the city. Scott will send information on the school to Andrea so it can be included on the UHNA website.
SUMMARY OF FINAL ADU REGULATIONS
Lisa Spalding provided a summary of Ordinance 8256, which loosens the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to encourage more construction and the legalization of units that were not previously approved.
The city has an excellent website on the new ADU regulations. Lisa will send a link and a brief statement to Andrea to include on the UHNA website.
Changes include:
A new category referred to as “affordable ADUs” that caps rents at 75% of AMI
Parking now allowed in front setback/Additional parking space not required for affordable units
Saturation rates increased from 10% to 20%, but calculation still includes non-conforming structures and now also includes co-ops
Minimum lot size reduced from 6,000 sf to 5,000 sf
Size of attached ADUs for affordable units increases to half the size of the principal dwelling or 1,000 sf, whichever is less. Market rate units are limited to one-third the size of the principal residence or 1,000 sf, whichever is less
Size of detached ADUs increases from 450 to 550 sf, but affordable units can be up to 800 sf, and ADUs on landmarked properties or contributing properties in a historic district can be up to 1,000 sf
Five-year waiting period between construction of a new home and application for ADU removed
Definition of primary residence/owner occupancy created
Short-term rentals prohibited in new ADUs
Occupancy count no longer includes the owner or renter’s dependent(s)
[endif]HARBECK-BERGHEIM HOUSE UPDATE
Lisa Spalding reported on the latest information:
A joint study session with PRAB and the Landmarks Board was held this evening. A recording of the meeting will be available for those who could not attend
Two main options remain: sell the house or retain city ownership and lease
New appraisal of the house is $3,066,000
An interior easement is being considered under both the sell and lease options and limited public access may also be required
If leased, the two options are market rate or below market rate to a non-profit
Most stakeholders prefer option “H,” which includes leasing for below market rate but at a minimum that covers the city’s cost of maintenance, repairs, and replacement
PRAB will vote on the preferred option(s) at its meeting on Monday, March 25th from 6:00—8:00 pm in council chambers. There will be a public hearing. The options are scheduled to be presented to City Council on April 2nd
HILL HOTEL UPDATE
Andrew Shoemaker noted that when plans for a parking deck below the hotel were abandoned, it removed the most controversial element of the project. The cost of public improvements remains an issue, but the developer has suggested that they will move forward without the money for improvements if it is not forthcoming. Purchase of the Pleasant Street parking lot is still essential. The Event Street may be the alternative community gathering space if UHGID cannot supply the cost of public improvements at the hotel site.
Andrew, the Sink, the Fox and others have commissioned Mike Scalisi of Triple Threat Digital to create a five-minute video that will explain how the hotel will enliven the culture on the Hill. Both the Fox and the Sink have indicated that they may close if the hotel is not built.
Lisa Nelson explained that any money coming from the sale of the Pleasant Street lot must stay in UHGID. UHCAMC members expressed some frustration with the fact that some city council members did not appear to understand this when they discussed the hotel plans at their January 22, 2019 meeting.
HRWG UPDATE
Lisa Nelson reported that Cindy Carlisle will be taking Lisa Morzel’s place on the residential subgroup. Sam Weaver will remain the City Council representative on the commercial subgroup. The subgroups have been meeting monthly for the past year and the two groups hold joint meetings quarterly.
[endif]AGENDA IDEAS FOR UHNA SPRING GENERAL MEETING
The UHNA Spring General Meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2019 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Academy. The following agenda items suggested by Linda Sparn were all approved:
City of Boulder Urban Forestry office on Emerald Ash Borer, Columbia Cemetery work and the new Tree-Imagine Boulder campaign
Presentation on Harbeck-Bergheim House and other historic neighborhood buildings by Historic Boulder; may include City of Boulder staff
UHCAMC and HRWG members and hotel developer on Hill Hotel and commercial area happenings
Boulder Police Department on neighborhood safety issues, including homeless population
Stephen suggested that help with the next Hill picnic be solicited
[endif]NEXT MEETING: March 19, 2019, possibly a working dinner at a restaurant
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By:
Lisa Spalding
Member, Executive Committee
University Hill Neighborhood Association