Planning board approves 66,000‑sq‑ft Gunbarrel Tech Center building; board adds pedestrian and bike conditions

The City of Boulder Planning Board voted unanimously to approve a site‑review amendment (LUR2024‑00006) to develop a vacant 8.7‑acre parcel in the Gunbarrel Tech Center with a new two‑story industrial/office building of about 66,000 square feet and a 40‑foot maximum height. Allison Blaine, senior planner and case manager, presented staff’s analysis and recommended conditions; staff found the proposal met site‑review criteria under the code version in use at submittal and recommended approval with conditions.

What was approved

The board approved the application with several planning‑board amendments. The approved project features: a building with recessed loading and back‑of‑house functions facing the northern industrial neighbors; a main public‑facing entry on the south; parking distributed primarily to the west and adjacent to building facades; and preservation of a scenic easement along the southern boundary that contains the White Rock and Left Hand ditches and the Cottontail recreational trail. Total open space, including the scenic easement, is approximately 63 percent of the parcel.

Board amendments and conditions

During deliberations, the board added several conditions aimed at improving pedestrian, bicycle and multiuse connections and climate‑friendly commuting options: - A condition requiring the applicant to show construction of a 10‑foot‑wide paved multiuse path on the west‑side access easement in portions that are outside the ditch/scenic easement; the final alignment and any necessary design adjustments will…