Proposed Boulder Ballot Measures Call for Impact Fees, Affordable Duplexes

Two proposed ballot initiatives in Boulder, Colorado would create new development fees to fund public infrastructure and mandate affordable housing commitments for duplex and triplex conversions.

As John Herrick explains for Boulder Reporting Lab, “The measures reflect longstanding frustration among some residents over real estate speculation and the perceived impacts of increased housing density as the Boulder City Council seeks to address the city’s housing affordability crisis.”

The New Development Shall Pay for Its Impacts measure would implement an impact fee based on a project’s impact on water, sewers, and other public infrastructure. “The second measure would require homeowners to provide affordable housing if they convert a single-family home into a duplex or triplex.” While the measure is designed to ensure affordability, it could discourage homeowners from creating the ‘gentle density’ the city hopes to spur by allowing multifamily housing on single-family zoned lots.