Downtown Review Board backs rezoning, land‑use plan and vacates block of Boulder Street for Palmer High School campus consolidation

The Downtown Review Board on Nov. 4 recommended approval of a zone change that would move the Palmer High School property into the city’s form‑based zone, approved a land‑use plan for phased campus redevelopment, and voted to vacate one block of East Boulder Street between North Nevada and North Weber to permit a consolidated campus.

City staff and the applicant framed the project as both a safety and educational investment. Ryan Tiefertiller, urban planning manager, told the board that the three interdependent applications—a rezone into the FBZ T2A sector, a land‑use plan, and a right‑of‑way vacation—cover roughly 8.27 acres and would require separate hearings before Planning Commission and City Council. Jessica Wise, executive director of engagement for Colorado Springs School District 11, said the district is funding Phase 1A with $100,000,000 in certificate‑of‑participation proceeds and described the proposal as a community‑driven effort to modernize Palmer and better integrate the school with…