Boulder’s new plan could allow for 40% more housing through ‘gentle infill’

The city of Boulder and Boulder County have approved an updated Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, which is expected to create capacity for 35% to 40% more housing than the previous plan. The new homes will primarily be located within Boulder city limits, and achieved through “gentle infill,” according to city officials. 

The previous plan allowed for 350 to 400 new houses every year. Exactly how much housing is allowed under the new plan will depend on zoning decisions and market conditions. The City of Boulder needs about 10,700 additional housing units by 2032 to meet demand and keep rents and home prices from becoming even less affordable, John Herrick writes for Boulder Reporting Lab.

“The plan includes land-use changes intended to support more single-unit attached housing, such as duplexes, triplexes and townhomes. City officials have said they do not expect it to create additional capacity for detached single-family homes or larger multiunit developments,” Boulder Reporting Lab reports.  

Boulder’s new plan also creates a “Neighborhood 1” designation, which identifies areas where gentle infill should be allowed, such as ADUs and duplexes.