Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lutheran Legacy Campus Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wheat Ridge council adopts zoning rules to guide redevelopment of Lutheran Legacy Campus
Summary
Council approved a new Mixed Use Lutheran Legacy Campus (MU-LLC) zone district that sets development standards for the former Lutheran Hospital site, including a 20% publicly accessible open-space requirement, a low-density edge overlay, tree-preservation incentives and a minimum 10,000-square-foot commercial floor area in core subdistricts.
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — The Wheat Ridge City Council on Jan. 27 adopted a 50-page ordinance establishing a new Mixed Use Lutheran Legacy Campus (MU-LLC) zoning district to guide redevelopment of the former Lutheran Hospital campus.
The ordinance, Council Bill 01-2025, creates a set of customized land-use regulations that staff say implement the city'adopted Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan and council direction from study sessions in 2024. Scott Cutler, a city planner, told council the rules "are the culmination of now years of public engagement and research," and that adoption will enable a future rezoning of the campus to the MU-LLC district.
The new rules require 20% publicly accessible open space across the campus, establish a low-density overlay along the campus edge to limit building heights and increase setbacks adjacent to existing neighborhoods, add tree-preservation incentives and require a tree-canopy analysis as part of concept plans. Staff also added a minimum 10,000-square-foot commercial requirement in subdistricts closer to 30th Avenue to ensure neighborhood-serving retail or services are included rather than only residential development.
Why it matters: The site is one of Wheat Ridge's largest redevelopment opportunities. Voters approved a November 2024 charter amendment (ballot question 2C) that allows taller buildings in the campus center in exchange for shorter buildings at the perimeter; the adopted MU-LLC rules reflect that tradeoff and aim to balance housing variety, mobility connections and public open space.
What council heard: Cutler and staff described outreach dating to the 2021 master plan and multiple study sessions in 2024. Staff reported that notices reached 3,708 recipients via the city's Lutheran campus updates; 285 opened the notice and 81 clicked a link. Council asked technical questions about minimum lot sizes, state law changes that may affect parking requirements, and the use or retention of previously platted parcels within the campus. Cutler confirmed the MU-LLC regulations do not prescribe minimum lot sizes (developers could propose smaller or larger lots) and that planned state regulatory changes on parking were not yet incorporated; staff said the zoning can be amended later to align with council direction on state legislation.
Council reaction and vote: Several council members praised the work. "It's really enjoyable to read," Councilor Rachel Holting said, commending staff for reflecting community feedback. Councilor Amanda Weaver moved approval; Councilor Scott Ohmes seconded. The clerk recorded the vote as "all ayes, no nays." The ordinance was adopted on second reading and will allow staff to pursue the formal rezoning process.
Next steps: If approved tonight's ordinance triggers the rezoning process, staff said the Planning Commission hearing is expected in mid-February, followed by a final council hearing anticipated in April. Approvals at those hearings would rezone the campus from Planned Hospital District and other existing zones to the MU-LLC district.
Additional context: The ordinance also contains conforming amendments to Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to integrate the MU-LLC district into the city's zoning code. Staff said the regulations aim to provide a variety of housing types, pedestrian and bicycle connections and civic uses concentrated toward the campus center.
