The Wheat Ridge City Planning Commission on Sept. 4 approved case WZ2410, a specific development plan to build a 4,292-square-foot Bank of America with a drive-through at approximately 1300 West 40th Avenue within the Clear Creek Crossing planned mixed-use development.

City planner Stephanie Stevens presented the request and told commissioners the site is a vacant 1.2-acre parcel in Planning Area 3 (the Vineyard District) of Clear Creek Crossing. Stevens said the request is the second step in a two-step approval process tied to the outline development plan approved in 2018 and an ODP amendment approved in January that permitted a limited number of drive-through uses in the planning area to enable the proposed drive-through bank. "All appropriate notification and posting requirements have been met," Stevens said, and staff recommended approval with conditions set out in the staff report.

The commission’s questions focused on circulation, signals and pedestrian access. Commissioner Susan Wood asked whether a signalized intersection would serve the site; Stevens said drivers would exit the site to Crossing Drive and then use signalized intersections at Fortieth Avenue and Clear Creek Drive. Stevens also said the east-side walk from Fortieth Avenue would be a six-foot concrete sidewalk and that perimeter landscaping and parking screening meet the design pattern book requirements.

Commissioner Hollett asked whether drive-through allowances are tied to the site or to planning areas; Stevens said the ODP limits drive-throughs to a total of five between Planning Areas 3 and 6 and that a drive-through entitlement can be relocated to another site within those planning areas rather than being attached to a specific lot. Commissioners asked about grade changes toward I‑70; Stevens and a staff member said the grade difference between the interstate and the subject site is roughly 15 to 20 feet.

The proposal includes a single vehicular access from a southern private drive that connects to Crossing Drive, 24 parking spaces screened by landscaping, materials and four-sided architecture following the Clear Creek Crossing design pattern book and a retaining wall to be constructed by the Metro District at steep slope locations. Stevens told commissioners civil construction documents were nearing approval and that a recommended condition notes that minor civil adjustments may be required to coordinate with master‑developer infrastructure.

After closing the public hearing, the commission moved to approve the specific development plan, with conditions requiring minor site adjustments as needed, a development agreement recorded prior to building permits, and consistency between building permit submittal and the approved SDP. The motion passed 7–0.

Votes at a glance
WZ2410 — Specific Development Plan for Bank of America (drive-through) — Motion to approve case WZ2410 with conditions; outcome: approved, vote 7–0.

What this means
Approval authorizes the applicant to proceed toward building permits subject to the stated conditions (minor civil coordination, development agreement, and permit consistency). Staff noted coordination with outside service districts is ongoing and that civil plans may be adjusted to align with surrounding infrastructure constructed by the master developer.

Commissioners and staff emphasized pedestrian connections, parking screening and maintaining design standards from the Clear Creek Crossing vision and design pattern book. The commission did not receive public comments at the hearing.

Next steps
The developer must execute the development agreement and complete civil coordination required by the conditions before issuance of building permits; staff and outside districts will continue coordination as civil plans are finalized.