This project was far from ordinary. It involved:

• Complex Design: A 3-4 story, 189-room hotel with a basement level, featuring amenities like an open-space lounge, restaurant and bar, fitness center, outdoor hot tub and lounge areas, and convention/event rooms.
• Sloped Site:  The site's topography required careful planning and design to accommodate the building's footprint and ensure proper drainage and accessibility.
• Urban Constraints:  Building in a dense urban environment like The Hill meant addressing potential impacts on neighboring properties, traffic flow, and public infrastructure.

Navigating the Permitting Process

Boulder is known for its rigorous development regulations, and this project presented numerous permitting challenges. Here's how Service First Permits helped our client navigate them:

• Phased Submittals: To streamline the process, we divided the project into phases, submitting separate permit applications for different aspects of the construction. This allowed for concurrent review and approval, saving valuable time.
• Interagency Coordination:  We facilitated communication and collaboration between various agencies involved, including the city's planning department, public works department, and utility providers. This ensured all requirements were met efficiently.
• Landscaped Plaza Integration:  The project included a landscaped public plaza that sloped across the site. We worked closely with the city to ensure the plaza design met accessibility standards, stormwater management regulations, and aesthetic guidelines.
• Right-of-Way and Utility Considerations: We coordinated with relevant agencies to address right-of-way issues and ensure proper connection to public utilities, minimizing disruptions and delays.

Outcomes

Our strategic approach and proactive communication resulted in a successful permitting process, paving the way for this unique hotel project:

• Efficient Approvals:  Phased submittals and interagency coordination expedited the permitting timeline, keeping the project on track.
• Code Compliance:  Our thorough documentation and attention to detail ensured the project met all of Boulder's stringent building codes and regulations.
• Community Integration:  We helped the client navigate the complexities of integrating the hotel and its public plaza into the existing urban fabric of The Hill.

This case study highlights our ability to manage complex permitting processes for large-scale projects in challenging urban environments. By combining technical expertise with effective communication and collaboration, Service First Permits helped bring a new hospitality experience to Boulder.

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