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Council declines to call up Naropa campus redevelopment; majority favors staff-applicant process over immediate density decision
Summary
Council received a concept plan to redevelop the Naropa campus at 2130 Arapahoe Avenue into two buildings with approximately 133 residential units. After discussion, a straw poll showed near-unanimous preference to let staff and the applicant continue refining the project rather than immediately choosing between RH-1 and RH-5 zoning.
The Boulder City Council on Aug. 7 reviewed a concept plan for a proposed redevelopment of the Naropa University campus at 2130 Arapahoe Avenue. The proposal would rezone the site from Public to Residential High (RH-5) and add two new buildings with roughly 133 residential units in a mix of one- to five-bedroom layouts; the plan would also preserve the existing Lincoln Hall building.
Council discussion focused on density and next steps. Some council members and planning board members expressed reservations about RH-5 and asked for a stronger case for higher density. Council member Mark Wallach and others encouraged further refinement; Planning and Development Director Brad Mueller told council that staff and the applicant will continue to refine the proposal prior to site review.
Straw poll: Council held a three-option straw poll on preferred direction: (1) prefer lower-density RH-1; (2) prefer higher-density RH-5; or (3) let staff and the applicant work out the appropriate density and return with a site-review submittal. The results were: option 1 — 0 votes; option 2 — 1 vote; option 3 — 8 votes. Following that outcome, council did not call the item up for immediate formal council review.
What’s next: The project will continue in the standard review process. Staff said council will have the formal opportunity to call up the project again at the site‑review stage if planning board action or staff recommendation merits council reconsideration.
