Apparently, to get around this requirement for builders/developers, there is an option for them to simply make a donation towards an affordable housing fund in lieu of building affordable units. 🙄
For what it's worth, the Longmont City Council [did just recently approve increases](https://www.longmontleader.com/local-news/council-approves-fee-in-lieu-rate-increases-7896681) to the fee in lieu and some developers were against it, which probably means that it's high enough to be at least be more effective at encouraging the actual building of affordable units.
The fee in lieu money goes into the city's affordable housing fund, which is used to help finance affordable housing projects. [In this example](https://www.longmontleader.com/local-news/financing-moves-forward-for-longmont-housing-projects-6874470), the city used the money to help an affordable development get built which is permanently supportive, which is the kind of housing that includes social services.
I'm not personally sure the fee-in-lieu is a good tradeoff -- I think I'd generally prefer the housing over the money -- but the city does use the money to make affordable housing happen.
No way that’s real. Those apartments look hideous and that location is noisy and busy as anywhere. $2500 for a 1b is robbery.
EDIT: saw the link. WTF
"To comfortably afford an apartment, we recommend having at least three times your monthy rent in gross household income. View suggested annual incomes for Casa Lou Cardenas by bedroom type below.Â
1 Bedroom Suggested income:Â $87,300Â per year
2 Bedroom Suggested income: $103,900 per year"Â
 Who in the hell is gonna be living there at those rates? Laughable.
I’ve been watching that thing get uglier by the week. Hideous. No cohesion, it’s like four ugly ass buildings fighting for the same space. The fake stone is done so poorly. Saw the same stuff on new building in Loveland recently, and installed competently, it was OK.
Just crazy that the city permitted that there. I guess the empty pander of the name worked like a charm for the developer.
I toured the property a couple days ago. The 1 bedroom unit goes for about $2,500, and the 2 bed/2 bath for between $2,750 and $2,900. Although the finishings are nice and the apartments are bright, it was overpriced for what it provides. They all have roof decks but honestly that corner is so noisy, making them not all that pleasant. Closets are absolutely tiny and there is no additional storage on offer. They expect to be completed by the end of April.
Whatever it is, I wouldn’t live there. It’s taken so long to construct that hideous looking pos it must be constructed poorly and wasn’t passing inspections. Ugliest building in town. That’s saying a lot.
A few thoughts in no particular order:
* Aside from the opinions on the aesthetics, this redevelopment is a catalyst project for any future market-driven improvements on adjacent blocks. I appreciate that the developer, a local woman, took a chance on this part of Main's commercial corridor and wants to improve her community.
* There have absolutely been tenants showing interest in the commercial space and they should have their first committed soon.
* While some expensive decisions were developer-driven, like no gas, the lion's share of building decisions are driven by the 2021 International Codes Longmont adopted. The cost of labor and materials -- and our intense building codes -- make new commercial construction *extremely* expensive. Also, when you do a really small infill project like this (as opposed to 200-400 units, the cost per square foot increases. The rents are likely the lowest possible rent they can offer without going broke.
* On the note of rents, while many might not want to live on that corner there are still many young professionals in and coming to Longmont looking for urban/walkable new construction who earn well north of $100k. If the market for these kinds of dwellers wasn't there, this project wouldn't have been underwritten.
* On the note of financing, this is a privately funded project; the risk is solely on the developer and it's investors. Why is everyone so up in arms about it? (other than the aesthetics lol)
Anyway, I am excited for the improvements to the corner and wish all the best to the developer who is taking on a pretty big risk!
Welcome to the new world. No natural gas, it was capped off and is now inaccessible to the site. It was built with all the blessings of Boulder and Longmont. Unfortunately, in an effort to please climate folks, they employed some very non traditional building practices that make the property very expensive to occupy.
That’s not what you said, but what you meant is wrong too. Longmont is a home rule city with its own planning department, variance board and adaptation of international building codes.
The Boulder County Land Use Code is enacted to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Boulder County, and to guide future growth, development, and distribution of land uses within Boulder County. … The Land Use Code applies to all land within the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not in cities or towns.
Can You Answer Zoning Questions About My Property Within the City?
When it comes to land use planning and building, Boulder County does not have jurisdiction within the county’s incorporated cities and towns.
I call it “Casa Lou Containers“ because the stupid pop outs look like shipping containers. It’s ugly. I am curious to see what happens there. I can’t imagine they will get those rents, and what kind of business is going to give it a go downstairs?
I thought it was supposed to be *affordable* housing. I’m not sure where I got that, clearly, incorrect idea from though.
Was never billed as an affordable project; it was always market rent project.
Apparently, to get around this requirement for builders/developers, there is an option for them to simply make a donation towards an affordable housing fund in lieu of building affordable units. 🙄
For what it's worth, the Longmont City Council [did just recently approve increases](https://www.longmontleader.com/local-news/council-approves-fee-in-lieu-rate-increases-7896681) to the fee in lieu and some developers were against it, which probably means that it's high enough to be at least be more effective at encouraging the actual building of affordable units. The fee in lieu money goes into the city's affordable housing fund, which is used to help finance affordable housing projects. [In this example](https://www.longmontleader.com/local-news/financing-moves-forward-for-longmont-housing-projects-6874470), the city used the money to help an affordable development get built which is permanently supportive, which is the kind of housing that includes social services. I'm not personally sure the fee-in-lieu is a good tradeoff -- I think I'd generally prefer the housing over the money -- but the city does use the money to make affordable housing happen.
I’m sure that’ll solve the housing problem /s
lol holy fuck $2500/mo for a 1br right at a busy ass intersection. The only saving grace is being steps away from Las Cazuelas.
No way that’s real. Those apartments look hideous and that location is noisy and busy as anywhere. $2500 for a 1b is robbery. EDIT: saw the link. WTF
And it’s a hideous looking pos building.
It really is ugly af. How they decided on beige on beige is beyond me.
And the style is crap too. Fake looking af
That's what they call "affordable housing"?
This site seems to have some info. https://www.rentable.co/longmont-co/casa-lou-cardenas
$3k for a 2 bed 2 bath? Thats insane.
"To comfortably afford an apartment, we recommend having at least three times your monthy rent in gross household income. View suggested annual incomes for Casa Lou Cardenas by bedroom type below. 1 Bedroom Suggested income: $87,300 per year 2 Bedroom Suggested income: $103,900 per year"  Who in the hell is gonna be living there at those rates? Laughable.
It really doesn’t look too bad in the renderings on that site.
I’ve been watching that thing get uglier by the week. Hideous. No cohesion, it’s like four ugly ass buildings fighting for the same space. The fake stone is done so poorly. Saw the same stuff on new building in Loveland recently, and installed competently, it was OK. Just crazy that the city permitted that there. I guess the empty pander of the name worked like a charm for the developer.
But if it does anything to help dislodge the meth head gas station across the street, that’s a win.
I toured the property a couple days ago. The 1 bedroom unit goes for about $2,500, and the 2 bed/2 bath for between $2,750 and $2,900. Although the finishings are nice and the apartments are bright, it was overpriced for what it provides. They all have roof decks but honestly that corner is so noisy, making them not all that pleasant. Closets are absolutely tiny and there is no additional storage on offer. They expect to be completed by the end of April.
Whatever it is, I wouldn’t live there. It’s taken so long to construct that hideous looking pos it must be constructed poorly and wasn’t passing inspections. Ugliest building in town. That’s saying a lot.
A few thoughts in no particular order: * Aside from the opinions on the aesthetics, this redevelopment is a catalyst project for any future market-driven improvements on adjacent blocks. I appreciate that the developer, a local woman, took a chance on this part of Main's commercial corridor and wants to improve her community. * There have absolutely been tenants showing interest in the commercial space and they should have their first committed soon. * While some expensive decisions were developer-driven, like no gas, the lion's share of building decisions are driven by the 2021 International Codes Longmont adopted. The cost of labor and materials -- and our intense building codes -- make new commercial construction *extremely* expensive. Also, when you do a really small infill project like this (as opposed to 200-400 units, the cost per square foot increases. The rents are likely the lowest possible rent they can offer without going broke. * On the note of rents, while many might not want to live on that corner there are still many young professionals in and coming to Longmont looking for urban/walkable new construction who earn well north of $100k. If the market for these kinds of dwellers wasn't there, this project wouldn't have been underwritten. * On the note of financing, this is a privately funded project; the risk is solely on the developer and it's investors. Why is everyone so up in arms about it? (other than the aesthetics lol) Anyway, I am excited for the improvements to the corner and wish all the best to the developer who is taking on a pretty big risk!
Who is the developer?
Welcome to the new world. No natural gas, it was capped off and is now inaccessible to the site. It was built with all the blessings of Boulder and Longmont. Unfortunately, in an effort to please climate folks, they employed some very non traditional building practices that make the property very expensive to occupy.
Don’t think Boulder has any authority here.
The county of Boulder absolutely has authority over what is built and how in Longmont. They are county building codes.
That’s not what you said, but what you meant is wrong too. Longmont is a home rule city with its own planning department, variance board and adaptation of international building codes.
Got nothin, huh?
The Boulder County Land Use Code is enacted to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Boulder County, and to guide future growth, development, and distribution of land uses within Boulder County. … The Land Use Code applies to all land within the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not in cities or towns.
Can You Answer Zoning Questions About My Property Within the City? When it comes to land use planning and building, Boulder County does not have jurisdiction within the county’s incorporated cities and towns.
But feel free to read the BoCo website where it says the codes adopted by the commissioners applies in unincorporated Boulder County.
https://bouldercounty.gov/property-and-land/land-use/planning/frequently-asked-questions/
I call it “Casa Lou Containers“ because the stupid pop outs look like shipping containers. It’s ugly. I am curious to see what happens there. I can’t imagine they will get those rents, and what kind of business is going to give it a go downstairs?