Call-Up Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Call-Up Agenda Item Meeting Date: September 3, 2026

Agenda Title Concept Plan Review and Comment for a proposal to expand the existing Xcel Energy service and operations facility at 2655 N. 63rd Street. Concept Plan reviewed under case no. LUR2026-00026.

Staff Contact • •

Alex Pichacz, Senior Planner, Planning and Development Services (P&DS) Brad Mueller, Planning Director, Planning and Development Services (P&DS)

Executive Summary The purpose of this item is for City Council to consider whether to call up the abovereferenced application for review and comment at a public hearing. On August 4, 2026, the Planning Board held a hybrid meeting and reviewed and commented on the proposal. The 30-day call up period concludes on September 3, 2026. City Council is scheduled to consider this application for call-up at its September 3, 2026, meeting. The staff memorandum to Planning Board, recorded video, and the applicant’s submittal materials along with other related background materials are available in the city archives for Planning Board. The recorded video from the hearing can be found here. The applicant’s submittal package is provided in Attachment A. The draft minutes for the meeting are provided in Attachment B.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Call up the application

To call up the application, council has to pass a motion. Suggested motion language: Motion to call up Concept Plan application #LUR2026-00026. Called-up item will be scheduled for a public hearing at a future council meeting.

Do not call up the application No council action is needed.

Planning Board History At the public hearing on August 4, 2026, the Planning Board heard presentations by staff and the applicant, and the Board asked questions following each presentation. One resident spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing. The Planning Board discussed two key issues at the public hearing: 1. Is the proposal consistent with policies of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP)? 2. Does Planning Board have feedback to the applicant on the conceptual site plan and architecture? Regarding Key Issue One, the Board generally agreed that the project is consistent with the policies of the BVCP, and Board members were supportive of the redevelopment proposal. Two Board members expressed interest in ensuring sufficient community benefit is provided when the property annexes into the city. Regarding Key Issue Two, there was broad support for providing two access points to the site. There was strong interest from the Board in maximizing on-site renewable energy opportunities, such as solar panels on rooftops and parking canopies. There were mixed opinions on the level of architectural detail provided. Some Board members want to see more detailed design on the public facing building facades while others feel industrial simplicity is appropriate and sufficient for the site. The fence design was discussed, and suggestions were provided to balance the need for security and the requirement to screen the outdoor storage area. The Board also suggested additional consideration be given to the outdoor open space areas and encouraged the applicant to provide shaded areas throughout the site that can be utilized by employees on their breaks.

Public Input Process Consistent with Section 9-4-3, “Public Notice Requirements,” B.R.C. 1981, staff provided notification to all property owners within 600 feet of the subject location of the application, and signs have been posted by the applicant. Staff did not receive any comments from the public.

Analysis – Alignment with Relevant Portions of Boulder Revised Code The staff memorandum to Planning Board that includes staff analysis and the applicant’s submittal materials are available on the Records Archive for the Planning Board. Review of this project is part of the P&DS team’s standard workplan, and its impacts are incorporated into the approved 2026 budget. Therefore, review of the project will not have a meaningful fiscal impact to note.

Next Steps for City Council City Council may call up the application. If the application is called up, City Council will review the application at a future public meeting. If the application is not called up, the Board’s review is final.

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Attachments A: Applicant’s Plans and Written Statement B: Draft Meeting Minutes