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Council approves first reading for Lutheran Legacy rezoning; residents told to use public hearing to comment
Summary
Wheat Ridge City Council on March 24 approved on first reading a city-initiated rezoning of the Lutheran Legacy Campus to a mixed-use zone and set a public hearing for April 14. Residents raised concerns during public comment but were told first reading does not allow testimony on the specific proposal.
Wheat Ridge City Council on March 24 voted unanimously on first reading to rezone the Lutheran Legacy Campus from Planned Hospital Development (PHD), Planned Commercial Development (PCD), Residential 2 (R-2) and Residential 1 (R-1) to Mixed Use — Lutheran Legacy Campus (MU-LLC). The council set a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, to take formal public comment and consider final action.
Councilor Amanda Weaver introduced Council Bill 06-2025, describing it as a city-initiated zone change and asking to set the public hearing. Councilor Corey Stites moved the ordinance on first reading; the clerk polled the council and the motion carried with "all ayes." The ordinance was ordered published and set to take effect immediately following the public hearing process as noticed.
Several residents used the public comment portion of the meeting to raise broad concerns about density, neighborhood character, parking and the potential for future apartment development on land adjacent to single-family neighborhoods. Liz Veeder said the change "frightens me" because she fears the city is moving "for increased rentals, rentals, rentals." Carol Matthews, a lifetime Wheat Ridge resident, urged the council to "stay out of our neighborhoods" and warned of parking and school impacts from higher-density development.
Council members and staff repeatedly reminded speakers that the item was only on first reading and that the city would not take testimony specific to the Lutheran rezoning that night. Staff noted information about the project is available on the city's "What's Up Wheat Ridge" page and said the public may submit comments electronically prior to the April 14 hearing. City staff also said that some site work, including soil testing, had been observed by neighbors, indicating the proposal is moving forward procedurally.
The first-reading vote allows the city to publish required notices and set the hearing; the council did not adopt a final ordinance on March 24. Residents who wish to comment on the zoning change should sign up or submit written comment ahead of the April 14 public hearing.
