The purpose of this study session is to present an outline of the updated draft Lutheran Legacy Campus zoning requirements to Planning Commission, which will serve as a preview of the full ordinance that will be presented at future public hearings at Planning Commission and City Council. This outline is similar to the one presented to City Council on October 7, 2024. A rough draft of the regulations is also provided for Planning Commission's review.

Members of the public may comment here on any matter *NOT* appearing on the meeting agenda. To comment on an agenda item, please select the respective agenda item and comment on that page.

Staff will provide updates to Planning Commission on the Lutheran Legacy Campus: 1) Updates of public engagement and City Council action to date including the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan approved in 2021, 2) Summarize the legislative rezoning process of the campus which was initiated by the City Council, 3) Update on the potential Charter amendment regarding building height on the campus, and 4) Present a high-level framework of the proposed zone district regulations and how those regulations will comply with the adopted Master Plan and/or Council consensus.

The proposed ordinance makes necessary updates to Article V of Chapter 26 of the Code of Laws specifically to modernize, clarify, and update landscape design standards and requirements. This repeal and re-enactment of the ordinance updates standards to address more water-efficient design and reorganizes and clarifies code to make requirements easier to understand by all users.

Staff and czb will be providing an update to the Planning Commission with opportunity for discussion.

Confluent Development, LLC has submitted an application requesting approval of a zone change from Industrial-Employment (I-E) to Mixed Use-Commercial TOD (MU-C TOD) on property located at approximately 11910 W. 52nd Avenue. The MU-C TOD zone district is intended for areas generally within one half mile of light rail stations. The purpose of the rezoning request is to allow for the mix of land uses, densities, and urban form as contemplated in the Northwest Subarea Plan.

Wheat Ridge is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, called the City Plan. Staff will provide Planning Commission with an update on the City Plan process, including preliminary findings from the first phase of public engagement and the existing conditions analysis completed thus far.

Cogent Companies is requesting approval of a zone change from Agricultural-One (A-1) to Industrial-Employment (I-E) on property located at Parcel ID 39-193-01-010. The applicant intends to utilize the property for outdoor storage. This proposed zone change acknowledges the changed conditions on this property, and in the area, and would allow for a better and more productive use of the land. Additionally, the zone change would enable the land to further achieve the city’s current comprehensive plan goals to encourage employment-generating uses in the area by allowing the adjacent property to utilize it for their needs.

A request for approval of a master sign plan for the new Intermountain Health Lutheran Medical Center hospital campus at Clear Creek Crossing which is zoned Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD). The purpose of the request is to allow for internal directional signs and larger wall signs than code allows.

Planning Commission is being asked to review of the Lutheran Legacy Urban Renewal Plan (the Plan), and adoption of Resolution regarding its conformity with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Envision Wheat Ridge, adopted 2009 (Comp Plan). The Plan anticipates private investment within its boundaries including residential land uses, a high standard of development, demolition of existing blighted structures, and the construction of improvements that support local goals related to land use, economic development, housing diversity, community services, transportation, and sustainability.

The proposed ordinance creates long-term bicycle storage requirements for large multi-unit residential developments, updates and clarifies vehicle parking reduction allowances when additional bicycle parking is provided, and decouples bicycle parking requirements from vehicle parking requirements.

The owner of the property at 10390 W. 38th Avenue is requesting approval of a zone change from Commercial-One (C-1) to Mixed Use-Neighborhood (MU-N). The zone change will result in a zoning designation that would allow for the redevelopment and revitalization of the property. Should the zone change be approved, the owner of the property intends to redevelop the site for approximately 10 town home units.

Batt Cave LLC is requesting approval of a zone change from Restricted-Commercial (R-C) and Neighborhood-Commercial (N-C) to Mixed Use-Neighborhood (MU-N) for the properties at 3650 and 3660 Wadsworth Boulevard. The zone change will result in a zoning that encourages revitalization of the site and will enable flexibility for any potential redevelopment, and will help to unify the zoning on the block. No redevelopment is proposed in conjunction with this zone change request.

The proposed ordinance updates Section 26-712 of the Code of Laws to repeal and reenact the City’s billboard regulations. The ordinance accomplishes several main goals: 1) removes the lottery process for vacancies, 2) establishes clear language on what constitutes an abandoned billboard, 3) reduces the maximum number of billboards within the City as they are abandoned, 4) provides a clear process for non-maintenance that could result in a billboard being deemed abandoned, 5) establishes a maximum distance between billboards and the highway, 6) adds that changeable copy signs are not allowed as billboards, 7) adds clarifying language to the code to ensure it is easy to understand and administer, and 8) amends the Official Billboard Zoning Map to have only one “billboard district.”

Wei Lian Fu is requesting approval of a zone change from Agricultural-One (A-1) to Residential-Two (R-2) for the property at 10800 W. 48th Avenue. The applicant is the current owner of the property. The zone change will result in a zoning that encourages revitalization of the site and will enable the land to become conforming.

On October 25, 2021, City Council passed Ordinance 1723, adding a new Article XIV to Chapter 11 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to establish a hotel licensing program and extended stay lodging regulations. The ordinance also updated the permitted use charts in Chapter 26. Section 11-569 of the Code requires City Council to review the implementation of the ordinance on or before June 30, 2023, and every 18 months thereafter. Accordingly, staff presented a program update to City Council on June 12, 2023. As a result of that update and based on lessons learned, a few minor code amendments are being proposed in the attached ordinance. This includes a minor edit in Chapter 26 regarding the term length of a special use permit for a hotel. As an edit to the zoning code, this provision requires Planning Commission review.

The applicant is requesting approval of a zone change from Commercial-One (C-1) to Mixed Use-Commercial Interstate (MU-C Interstate) for the property at 4735 Kipling Street. The applicant is the property owner. The purpose of the zone change is to enable reinvestment by allowing a wider range of uses, encouraging a better utilization of land, and ensuring high quality urban design. The applicant intends to repurpose the existing buildings for multi-unit apartments.

The proposed ordinance allows day care centers in Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Restricted Commercial (RC) zone districts, updates definitions of childcare facilities to align with State regulations, provides cross-references in the zone district use charts for home-based daycares which are allowed as home occupations, and permits day care centers at existing institutional/nonresidential properties in residential and agricultural zone districts.

This ordinance makes necessary updates to Articles I and IV of Chapter 26 of the City Code, specifically to modernize, clean up, and clarify portions if the City's subdivision requirements. The proposed code updates include updating incorrect or outdated cross-references, adding modern terminology and definitions, clarifying existing requirements, updating application requirements, and removing conflicting portions of the code. It clarifies when owners' associations are required and the obligations of those associations. It also clarifies requirements for drainage and irrigation facilities.