[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6631417,"mediaKeyId","2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064","parentId",2679847,"title","Councilmember Ward withdraws proposal to create citizen structure‑of‑governance committee, tabs item amid budget concerns","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",268000,"endMs",345000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064&start=268&end=345","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064/thumbnail_268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631417/Broomfield-County/Colorado/Councilmember-Ward-withdraws-proposal-to-create-citizen-structureofgovernance-committee-tabs-item-amid-budget-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631417-1e6003d4fd01fbd4a9f2c16b23f34200/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=c-hoxVshxGhzgIM9KMgz3JA26z1Fsdb-wc8u47i5KdHHGSf9jfJc7aFXirBbsDf4Wkqut6DUMex0ErXeLJAopo35ue8Llcut3bEcy3rz6NiX5PYhxgixudvjwhJN5Uyoi2j6H2hSDaqN69~bmSTKMJclshk4Ybx8WTcXxpkXmDuwZQA5K8Ut2pnM6S2Sb3PffYzLaVGdaOy4LmZyYWrAnnClsDCBbVKxfP7jXrQGjNY57b4vQyquxC8EMgh0XBcafSeLp7N-aBnWiRXYixcQiHsWJc2YQHUDWhgKhkygytmxi8JXog1wlQG7~HtHe7Tb8lTf9jz8hF2jUeEGudSTAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Broomfield County","date","2025-03-19T03:06:12.797Z","article","Council member Ward withdrew a proposal to create a citizen‑only \"structure of governance\" committee that would have been composed of two citizens from each ward. Ward told the City and County of Broomfield City Council that he had intended the 10‑member panel to study whether the city’s current governance structure is appropriate for recent population and growth changes, but he said the request carried a $10,000 annual budget estimate and he preferred to defer the work.

Ward said the committee would have been charged with studying whether the current governance structure suits the city’s growth, but added that, \"because of some recent budgetary issues ... I have decided that this is something that should be pushed off.\" Mayor and other council members indicated support for withdrawing the agenda item; the mayor said, \"we'll just table it.\"

Outcome

The item was withdrawn at the meeting and effectively tabled for future consideration; no formal motion or ordinance was made during the study session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Sessions","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmember Ward withdrew his request to form a 10‑member citizen 'structure of governance' committee, citing a $10,000 annual cost and recent budgetary pressures; the council supported tabling the item.","taxTitle","Broomfield County, Colorado","taxId",9320,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631422,"Broomfield Council signals support to modernize medium‑ and high‑density residential zoning; staff to pursue outreach and research taller buildings",2219,5986000,8205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064&start=5986&end=8205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064/thumbnail_5986000.jpg","/articles/6631422/Broomfield-County/Colorado/Broomfield-Council-signals-support-to-modernize-medium-and-highdensity-residential-zoning-staff-to-pursue-outreach-and-research-taller-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631422-a16cd7765412478d2660ef38b3744937/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=nX4wY1wZ8FO5ra~mA4jWDOJzdTkWpo-RlFZAgvEURnEtUk~S~41obDyf6zRhzyf~xX6oCd~MbQ6BK7NMkTnkAbitJxC76rDX9ika5yF4c6irz4hB2W1a4hlD94lbh9dh9DCEpupQw66We537iJvAHsNcaTfpdL5FRxoaDPr4lKfAPFFql2QPZd2tfxn8tj-iaebEIIahsi117zV7b8jnR7BtqRZw~RlA4bxrVtUeRkgBmeczwb2CqW~I-FaLlD1t-sLW51YmywuAbFXIR516SYANOhPi06NW8vLS9Vrn95S-hTqvUezRr~I0ZW1hcX1fsbMBRpriAQaOcQ5LZAr9-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told the City and County of Broomfield City Council they plan to modernize the municipal code’s medium‑ and high‑density residential standards to increase housing variety and streamline review for multifamily development.

Principal planner (presenting staff member) summarized proposed changes: rename R3 from \"medium density\" to \"medium‑low density\" and revise standards to allow townhomes, duplexes and lower‑density multifamily; rename R5 from \"high density\" to \"medium‑high density\" with higher heights and densities; and create a new R7 district intended for higher‑density multifamily development (staff proposed a 60‑foot maximum and up to 80 dwelling units per acre under the draft standards).

Why it matters: Planning staff said the existing 1973 zoning regime and the Municipal Code’s PUD uniform residential standards are out of step with modern development and that developers are overwhelmingly using PUD rezoning for residential projects because the current base zone districts do not meet market needs. Staff recommended removing the PUD uniform residential standards from the code and instead comparing future PUD proposals to current base‑zoning standards on the PUD plan itself.

Council reaction and guidance

Council members generally supported community engagement and ordinance drafting. Responses to staff’s four discussion questions were predominantly affirmative:

- Begin community engagement and return with an ordinance for R3 and R5 updates: majority yes.
- Begin community engagement and return with an ordinance creating an R7 district: majority yes.
- Should R7 require a site development plan (SDP) or administrative review? Council preferences split; several members favored SDP (public review) while some members preferred administrative review for speed. Several council members emphasized preserving public participation; others highlighted permit timing.
- Remove the PUD uniform residential standards from the municipal code: council supported bringing back an ordinance to do so.

Height and density research

Council member Ward and others requested staff research higher maximum heights and corresponding densities. Staff asked for direction on researching taller options and received a show of hands supporting a study of roughly 8–10 story ranges (staff committed to investigate the implications of that height range and associated density). Deputy director Lynn Merwin said a 6‑story limit roughly corresponds to the draft R7 height; an 8–10 story study would require additional analysis on parking, infrastructure, floor‑to‑floor heights and building design.

Clarifying details

- Draft standards presented by staff included raising R3 maximum height from 30 feet to 45 feet and increasing density from 10 to 20 units per acre; private onsite open area was proposed to be reduced from 40% to 25% for R3.
- Proposed R5 changes included raising maximum heights from 30 to 50 feet and increasing density from 20 to 30 units per acre while reducing required private open area from 40% to 15%.
- Proposed R7 draft standards presented included a minimum lot of 10,000 square feet, a 60‑foot maximum height and a maximum density of 80 units per acre; staff noted a 60‑foot height usually equates to about 4–5 stories depending on rooftop architecture.
- Staff said PUD plans will retain their own specific standards and variances even if the PUD uniform residential section is removed from the municipal code.

Next steps

Staff will begin community engagement and return with ordinance options and financial/staff‑time estimates. Council directed staff to research 8–10 story options and associated density and infrastructure implications and to report back with findings as part of the comp plan and ordinance process. Several council members requested that public review be preserved through a site development plan process for high‑density projects; the council did not adopt a formal vote on SDP vs administrative review and staff will return with options.","City staff proposed renaming and updating R3 and R5 residential districts and creating a new R7 high‑density district. Council members broadly backed starting community engagement; council directed staff to research taller (8–10 story) options for a high‑density district while leaving setbacks under review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631427,"Broomfield staff, consultants warn Interlochen office district facing structural decline; staff to study taller residential options",5623,361000,5984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064&start=361&end=5984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679847-433fc77339b67d1c1d098dcff0b8b064/thumbnail_361000.jpg","/articles/6631427/Broomfield-County/Colorado/Broomfield-staff-consultants-warn-Interlochen-office-district-facing-structural-decline-staff-to-study-taller-residential-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631427-e5567b3c868202790b17e393da676852/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=e~WsgsGzOsiSZJnzje6pAxGH22ilD9UykoWA6yCrQVTpApVT82-wYz5JEPwCRhz2oWnez12slILRyHKOxqtpB5CHBtHikZliVUUg-bUd7J0atB1-xJzyMsE5CM8Pyne8bbisWORrPW2GjkwTbqYP~hkeVJS3uNEtD14XnRScjbvSw3fGEtn-8HxXzH8Sdd7ELnRaqtg3Gj5o~8mA3KOfUOw25deHFEJYU2epGdOWdQ9~zS~9Nz2n5H8mnkrZZIEw3dyc~VKpknDsTr9oYKoQ8-9L8hBi7OCS9F89nazc6PEemnzW1IiAEKb25G2yCh2IfzZq~Wg0XgUeUnYil-ODpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants and city staff told the City and County of Broomfield City Council that the US 36 West/Interlochen corridor — including Flatiron Crossing, Interlochen and Arista — is a major local employment center that faces structural challenges as office demand changes.

The consultants, Chris Brewer and Sarah Murphy of AECOM, and Robert Smith, director of economic vitality, said the area contains many older office buildings built in the 1980s and 1990s whose design and parking configurations make them difficult and costly to adapt to today’s market. \"Many of the buildings, single use, single occupancy, the market isn't looking at those buildings the same way,\" Brewer said, adding that properties with large floor plates and surface parking often require substantial renovation or demolition to be repurposed.

Why it matters: More than half of Broomfield jobs are located in the study area, and property tax values tied to older office buildings have been under pressure. Consultants and staff said any decline in assessed values for office properties could reduce the city’s property tax base unless new development or reinvestment offsets those declines.

Key findings and council response

AECOM’s presentation summarized historic job growth and recent trends: Broomfield had strong pre‑pandemic job growth but has not recovered employment in the study area to prior levels, even while jobs in other parts of Broomfield have rebounded. The consultants noted that hybrid and remote work patterns have altered office utilization and that newer buildings with amenity spaces have outperformed older stock.

Sarah Murphy said, \"We're having a moment in time where real estate values for office buildings are becoming highly speculative, highly volatile.\" The consultants identified vacancy rates around 25% in some subareas and said apartment and multifamily development currently commands higher land values than many office properties.

Council members asked about ownership, reuse prospects and incentives. Smith said the city prepared a parcel inventory showing diverse ownership — in‑state and out‑of‑state investors, REITs and developers — and noted some owners hold buildings free and clear while others are highly leveraged.

On incentives and reuse options, AECOM said adaptive reuse is viable in select cases depending on floor plate, parking and floor‑to‑floor height, but some buildings may require demolition and redevelopment to achieve market rent and unit mixes. \"If a developer can get a premium in value for a residential conversion, they will look at it,\" Brewer said.

Council direction and next steps

City staff said the market study will form a baseline for follow‑up work including a financial outlook tied to recent revenue questions (staff said a preliminary financial update is scheduled for April) and additional annual updates.

Council repeatedly encouraged staff to engage property owners, developers and the public. Mayor Pro Tem Schaff and several members emphasized the need for a coordinated master‑planning approach to reduce entitlement risk and guide infrastructure investments. Staff said the study will be updated annually as a base condition report and that staff will bring forward options for implementation as the comprehensive planning process proceeds.

Clarifying details

- Consultants noted a roughly 25% vacancy figure in parts of the study area and said multifamily and newer amenity‑rich buildings currently command premiums relative to older office stock.
- The study area as presented includes four subareas: Flatiron (mall/retail), Interlochen (office/tech workspace), South of Highway 28 (near the airport) and Arista (mixed‑use).
- Staff said a parcel inventory of owners has been prepared; ownership is mixed (in‑state, out‑of‑state, REITs, spec developers).

What’s next

Staff will continue outreach with property owners and stakeholders as part of the comprehensive planning work and will present a preliminary financial outlook in April. Council also asked staff to incorporate the market findings into the city’s long‑range financial planning and to return with specific implementation and infrastructure considerations for potential adaptive‑reuse, mixed‑use infill and zoning changes.

The presentation and the council discussion will inform future hearings and staff recommendations tied to Broomfield’s comp plan and infrastructure priorities.","Consultants told the City and County of Broomfield City Council that older office buildings in the US 36 West/Interlochen area face structural market challenges tied to hybrid work and aging floor plates. Council directed staff to pursue community outreach and research taller, higher‑density housing options for parts of the district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilmember Ward withdraws proposal to create citizen structure‑of‑governance committee, tabs item amid budget concerns

Broomfield Council signals support to modernize medium‑ and high‑density residential zoning; staff to pursue outreach and research taller buildings

Broomfield staff, consultants warn Interlochen office district facing structural decline; staff to study taller residential options