The applicant is requesting approval of a zone change from Agricultural-Two (A-2) to Planned Residential Development (PRD) with an Outline Development Plan to facilitate the development of up to 18 single unit dwellings on the 4.97-acre property located at 5225 Swadley Street. A legal protest has been submitted and verified, so the zone change will require at least six affirmative votes by City Council for approval at second reading.

City Council is asked to consider an ordinance calling a coordinated election on November 3, 2026, and submitting to the registered electors of the City of Wheat Ridge a ballot question authorizing a one percent (1.0%) sales and use tax dedicated to funding voter-approved capital improvements.

The City of Wheat Ridge was awarded $2.64 million from the Colorado Energy Office Local IMPACT Accelerator Grant Program. The funding will support several housing-related code amendments and will provide financial assistance to certain affordable housing projects. The city must approve a grant agreement to receive the funds. A supplemental budget appropriation is also required to appropriate the funds in the 2026 Housing Fund budget.

This resolution authorizes the City of Wheat Ridge to participate in the Jefferson County General Election on November 3, 2026, and authorizes the appropriate City officials to execute an intergovernmental agreement with Jefferson County for election services. The City intends to submit a ballot issue or question to its eligible electors and will comply with applicable state election and TABOR notice requirements. The resolution also designates the Senior Deputy City Clerk as the City’s Election Officer and Designated Election Official.

In 2025, Wheat Ridge joined a multi-jurisdictional project team to create a Vision Zero Safety Action Plan (VZSAP). The effort is spearheaded by Jefferson County and the City of Lakewood, led by a consultant team from Consor Engineers, and includes several participating municipalities and stakeholders. At the August 3 study session, Consor will provide City Council with an overview of Vision Zero, the planning process, and the project’s current status (refer to Attachments 1 and 2 for their memo and draft slides). The purpose of the study session is to familiarize Council with the initiative as development of the Safety Action Plan continues through 2026.

As part of the development of the proposed 2027 Budget, City Council is asked to provide direction on funding requests from five outside organizations. Council's feedback will assist staff in determining appropriate funding levels while balancing these requests with other City priorities and the City's ongoing commitment to supporting community-serving organizations through the annual budget process.

Magellan Strategies conducted a second statistically valid community survey between July 13th and July 21st to better understand resident priorities related to long-term capital infrastructure needs and potential ballot measures. The survey included 672 Wheat Ridge residents, providing a margin of error of approximately ±3.73%. Representatives from Magellan Strategies will present the results of the survey at the July 27th study session.