The new neighborhoods would be a mix of residences, businesses, parks, and greenways. The residences would include units that are affordable to families with low, moderate, and middle incomes, with at least 50% of units deed-restricted to be permanently affordable.

New neighborhoods have not been planned yet, but it is certain that Boulder would not zone 179 acres for all mansions or all low-income housing. If we decide to make new neighborhoods, there will be a thoughtful planning process including community involvement. We do know that any new neighborhoods would be mixed-use, mixed income, include at least 50% permanently affordable housing, have pocket parks and greenways, and buildings will not be taller than 55 feet.

We can say this with confidence because development in the city of Boulder is guided by the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP), the City Charter, the Boulder Revised Code, and City ordinances. If our ballot initiatives pass, they will also become enshrined in city ordinances and city code.

BVCP Policy 2.34 Design of Newly Developing Areas specifically states “The city will encourage a neighborhood concept for new development that includes a variety of residential densities, housing types, sizes and prices, opportunities for shopping, nearby support services and conveniently sited public facilities, including roads and pedestrian connections, parks, libraries and schools.” 

The City’s Inclusionary Housing ordinance requires all new development to contribute at least 25% permanently affordable housing, but the Runways to Neighborhoods ballot initiative would require at least 50%.

Any new development could be no taller than 55 feet tall, which is the height limit in the City Charter. Nobody - not even City Council or the City Manager - can approve buildings taller than 55 feet tall unless the people of Boulder vote to change the Charter. 

The last time the City of Boulder developed a new neighborhood from the ground up on mostly undeveloped land was the Holiday neighborhood in North Boulder in the 1990s. Holiday is one of Boulder’s most beloved, most affordable, and most diverse neighborhoods, made even more beautiful by its trail system, parks, and community gardens. Holiday has 40% permanently affordable housing.  Read more about the development of Holiday here. 

Now 30 years later, with advancements in our understanding of sustainable and beautiful community design, Boulder could be even more visionary and creative than we were with Holiday.

Our ballot initiatives specify:
-New neighborhoods on the site shall predominantly consist of well-connected, mixed-use neighborhoods designed to help Boulder's affordable housing crisis and meet the needs of families and essential workers. 
-At least 50%of on-site housing units shall be permanently affordable units in Boulder’s affordable housing program. These homes shall be for low-, moderate-, and middle-income residents, with a focus on middle-income.
-The new neighborhoods will prioritize affordable housing, neighborhood-serving businesses, parks, and greenways.
-They will implement innovations in climate resilience, creative housing types and building designs, child- and family-friendly features, and minimization of car dependency.