Wheat Ridge planning commissioners approve three-building restaurant hub and park at Clear Creek Crossing

The Wheat Ridge Planning Commission on Feb. 6, 2025, voted 6-0 to approve case WZ24-02, a specific development plan for a three-building restaurant and park corridor called the Lookout within Planning Area 6 of the Clear Creek Crossing planned mixed-use development.

Stephanie Stevens, planner with the Community Development Department at the City of Wheat Ridge, told commissioners the 4.74-acre site is vacant and lies west of Clear Creek Drive near the Fortieth Avenue intersection. The applicant, Evergreen Clear Creek Crossing LLC, proposes three restaurants totaling roughly 30,000 square feet arranged around a 0.67-acre public plaza that will be owned and maintained by the Longs Peak Metropolitan District and open to the public.

The commission's approval follows staff findings that the specific development plan (SDP) is consistent with the Clear Creek Crossing Outline Development Plan (ODP), the project vision book and the design pattern book. The SDP shows pedestrian and bike connections to the regional trail, cross-access to an adjacent Hampton Inn and Lifetime Fitness, and 226 parking spaces broken into smaller lots to reduce large parking expanses.

Staff noted the project provides about 17.9% landscaping, slightly under the 20% guideline in the design pattern book; a staff recommendation and concurrence by the Community Development Director supported the modification on the grounds that the consolidated plaza creates more usable public open space and that perimeter landscaping, plazas, parking lot islands and planting beds have been maximized. The commission's approval carries conditions including: confirmation from Applewood Sanitation District that retaining wall encroachments into an easement are acceptable; recordation of the associated subdivision plat (MS2402) before the SDP is recorded; and execution of a development agreement recorded with the county clerk and recorder prior to building permits.

The SDP proposes buildings ranging from about 6,800 to 8,800 square feet. The northern building is planned for Prost Brewery; the middle building, called the Patio, would be operated by the local restaurant group that runs Recess, and would include a food-hall style arrangement with multiple concepts and a rooftop patio. The southern building is speculative and has no confirmed tenant. Building heights are roughly 28, 31 and 24 feet for the north, middle and south buildings, respectively. The interior plaza area is about 29,503 square feet and is shown as 21% landscaped; amenities detailed in the application include an amphitheater with a permanent stage, playground equipment in an agrarian theme, fire pits, a water-tower public-art feature and bike parking and repair facilities.

Staff and the applicant also discussed site grading: the property has roughly 12 feet of north-south grade change and about 14 feet east-west; tiered retaining walls are incorporated to create usable site area, and the retaining wall near Building C will require coordination with Applewood Sanitation District. The SDP and civil plans will be coordinated with master-developer infrastructure improvements and a replat of Block 4 to create individual lots.

Derek Liss, senior development manager with Evergreen DevCo and development director of Longs Peak Metropolitan District, said the development team has worked with the city since 2016 to deliver the larger Clear Creek Crossing project and described the Lookout as a neighborhood hub that will connect to the Prospect Park regional trail and existing Clear Creek trail. "We are extremely excited to bring this plan to Clear Creek Crossing," Liss said during the presentation.

Commissioners asked questions about bike facilities, AV capabilities for the amphitheater and age recommendations for playground elements; the applicant said the plaza will include two dozen-plus bike racks, a bike repair station and a contemplated e-bike charging station, and that the amphitheater will have screen/projection capability with trade-offs being weighed for durability and cost. Commissioner comments during the vote referenced the site's role as a western gateway into Wheat Ridge and praised its pedestrian and bike connections while suggesting continued attention to lighting and ecological impacts.

The formal motion to approve the SDP listed findings that the plan is consistent with the ODP and applicable city design manuals and included the staff-recommended conditions. The motion passed 6-0. No public comments were submitted on the project during the posted public-notice period and no public commenters spoke during the hearing.

The SDP approval is contingent on coordination steps before construction permits: Applewood Sanitation District's acceptance of an easement encroachment, recording of MS2402, and a recorded development agreement. Civil construction reviews and the Block 4 replat remain in process.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve case WZ24-02 (Specific Development Plan for three-building restaurant and park corridor, Clear Creek Crossing, Planning Area 6) — Approved, 6-0. Conditions include Applewood Sanitation District approval of easement encroachment, recordation of subdivision plat MS2402 prior to recording the SDP, and a recorded development agreement prior to issuance of building permits.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the vote; the Lookout project will return for permit-level coordination and the developer must meet the listed conditions before building permits are issued.