Architects explain proposed mixed use building for former feed store property

An audience of close to 40 people attended a community meeting on Thursday, March 6, at Niwot Hall, to hear about the proposed development plans for the former feed store property at 291 Second Avenue in Niwot.

Architects Tucker Huey and Anne Postle of Osmosis Architecture gave a slideshow presentation about the proposed two-story mixed-use building and also addressed comments and questions from the audience.

The architects represent Niwot residents John and Xan Fischer, who bought the property in 2022 after long-time business Niwot Rental & Feed closed.

According to Huey, the proposed building will have two to four commercial spaces on the ground floor with four residential units on the second floor. Each of the four residential units will also have a garage located at the rear of the building.

The proposal also calls for eight uncovered parking spots along the back of the lot and three parallel parking spots along the side of the building and along the building's driveway entrance.

During the meeting, audience members expressed concerns and skepticism about parking, privacy, invasive lighting illuminating from the back of the property, and the economics of the project.

Privacy is a big concern for Chris Doyle and Teri Rasmusson, who live in the home directly behind the lot of the former feed store. During the meeting, Doyle commented, "I have big concerns about, for instance, the decks there on the back of the building, looking right down into our house. It's taking privacy away from us and we are the only residence that is impacted."

Another privacy concern for Doyle is the building's occupants being able to look through a large window down into their own bedroom window. As a remedy for the encroachment, Doyle suggested a clerestory window or a narrow window set high on the building's second story wall or above eye level.

Other audience members had additional suggestions and enhancements for the project including colorful awnings for the commercial spaces, secure enclosed e-bike storage for employees who will commute to the location, and protection of the nearby Left Hand Corner building that will be next to the building's driveway.

An audience member also expressed worry about the financial viability of the project and said, "We just don't want to see a new building here and a new building there and empty spaces."

In response, Postle said she agrees. Postle further remarked that it is her guess the property's owners will have to make a decision to postpone construction if the former Colterra/Bader House site and the 1914 House are still empty by the time the project is ready to be built. "But, I'm hopeful that the two [commercial] spaces that we have will be occupied and successful, and we'll have good restaurants," said Postle.

During public questioning, Amber Knotts, a Boulder County planner, verified information about code restrictions and the county's procedural process for development that is in the Niwot Rural Community District I (NRCD I).

Because the proposed project is in NRCD I, Knotts said comments from the meeting will need to be addressed. "They'll have to give us kind of like a debrief of how they plan on addressing community concerns that came up during this meeting as part of their application submittal," Knotts said.

As part of the county's process, the architects also met with the Niwot Design Review Committee on March 10.

Knox said the architects now have six months to submit their site review application. Once the architects submit their application, the six-week site plan review process will start, which will include a 28-day review period and a 14-day post-review period after the county's determination. The public can also submit comments during the county's site plan review process.