Car-Free Affordable Housing Project In Boulder Moves Forward

BOULDER, CO — Site review for a new affordable housing project has been approved by Boulder's Planning Board. The Academy Senior Living project, at 1655 33rd St., was not called-up by city council Oct. 22, which signaled the council’s support for the project, the city said.

The project, which will include 106 permanently affordable rental units for seniors, may serve as a blueprint for future car-free living, the city said. The project proposal includes a transportation demand management plan to reduce dependence on personal vehicles. As part of their lease agreement, residents will not be allowed to keep a car on-site or store a vehicle in the vicinity.

The project would include a bike-sharing program, transit passes for residents and employees, shuttle service and an on-site car share with ten electric vehicles, city officials said. Showers and changing rooms will be available for employees to support biking to work. Other planned amenities include on-site dining, a wellness center, a fitness center, a media room, gathering spaces and gardening opportunities.

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The no-personal-vehicle policy supports Boulder’s Transportation Master Plan goal of decreasing transportation-related emissions by 50 percent over the next decade.

The Academy Senior Living project will meet Boulder's Inclusionary Housing mandate that all new residential development contributes 25 percent of the total units as permanently affordable housing, the city said. The project will also satisfy a portion of the inclusionary requirement for the approved senior living development at 311 Mapleton Ave.

The Academy Senior Living project will now move through a staff review of technical documents for final utilities, architecture, landscaping and drainage, the city said. A building permit for any new structures or site work will then be reviewed.