Louisville leaders approve initial ConocoPhillips plans

Amy Bounds Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 04/20/2010 10:39:10 PM MDT


LOUISVILLE -- The City Council erupted into applause Tuesday night after unanimously approving ConocoPhillips' preliminary plans for a 2.5 million-square-foot campus off U.S. 36.

"It's just great," said Mayor Chuck Sisk, a self-described "cheerleader" for the project. "It's an important issue for the city of Louisville, the county of Boulder and the Denver metro area."

The Houston-based energy company is expected to submit final plans in July for its 432-acre property at the former StorageTek site.

While Tuesday's approval gave the green light to the overall concept, the final plans will provide details on everything from the exact locations of buildings to traffic impacts to building renderings.

"There will be a lot of details," said City Manager Malcolm Fleming. "Everybody can understand exactly what it will look like."

ConocoPhillips plans to build a global training center, research and development facilities and accessory developments in phases over the next 22 years, opening its first phase in 2013.

Tuesday's approval included an initial OK of the company's request to build 95-foot-tall research and development building -- which would be the tallest in the city -- and 65-foot-tall buildings in the office areas. Commercial buildings now are capped at 35 feet, so taller buildings require an exemption.

To have its 95-foot and 65-foot heights guaranteed, ConocoPhillips would need to submit a request for the city to grant the company a "vested rights" agreement. Otherwise, the council will make the decision on building heights when it approves the final plans.

The taller buildings are necessary to keep the site compact and to spur collaboration and innovation among employees, officials for ConocoPhillips have said.

The development is expected to take up 120 acres of the 432-acre site. About half of the campus is designated as private open space. Public use areas are on the perimeter.

The final plans are expected to include more details about trail connections and the company's public land dedication. The company's current plans involve dedicating nearly 39 acres of open space along the perimeter of the campus, plus a 40-acre parcel in Broomfield.






Read more: Louisville leaders approve initial ConocoPhillips plans - Boulder Daily Camera http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_14925510?source=most_viewed#ixzz0lkPrv28J