Council approves rezoning of 10285 Ridge Road for 200-unit mixed‑income transit‑oriented development

The Wheat Ridge City Council voted Oct. 27 to rezone 10285 Ridge Road from Agricultural A‑1 to mixed-use commercial transit-oriented development (MUCTOD), clearing the way for Foothills Regional Housing to develop a mixed-use property that the applicant says could contain up to about 200 affordable housing units, a Red Rocks Community College nursing program building and community-support services.

Senior planner Stephanie Stevens summarized the application (case WZ2502), telling council the 10.89-acre site contains long-vacant former group-home buildings that the state is remediating and that the redevelopment would replace deteriorating structures. Stevens said the applicant's proposed concept plan self-limits density and height: townhome-style buildings of two to three stories along 50th Avenue and up to four stories elsewhere on the site, with landscape buffers and design standards to respond to adjacent low-density residential uses.

Why this matters: the site sits adjacent to commuter rail and several land-use types; rezoning to MUCTOD aligns with the city's transit-village designation in the City Plan and with the city's Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan, staff said. The project is explicitly intended to deliver permanently affordable housing near transit as well as educational and supportive services.

Applicant and community outreach: Marcus Pachner, speaking for the applicants and for Foothills Regional Housing (FRH), said FRH purchased the property in 2024 with the goal of affordable housing and has engaged a broad outreach program. Pachner told council the team held three neighborhood meetings, plus a larger community meeting, and said "we have had well over a 150 individuals participate in this process" and that 41 people attended an August neighborhood meeting. He highlighted that the plan limits height adjacent to the northern residential edge and preserves buffers and pedestrian connections to nearby transit.

Stevens said staff referred the application to affected agencies and posted the property and that staff received 15 supportive comments on the city's online forum prior to the hearing. Planning Commission reviewed the item on Oct. 16 and recommended approval.

Council discussion: councilors asked about heights, density and how the design addressed edges; Stevens and the applicant confirmed the concept plan constrains density to about 20 dwelling units per acre (roughly 200 units) and caps building heights—two to three stories along 50th Avenue, four stories elsewhere—and that a future site plan would address traffic and sidewalk improvements, including any required traffic study.

The proposal includes an anticipated parcel to be conveyed to Red Rocks Community College for expansion of its nursing program; Marcus Pachner said FRH expects to sell that corner parcel to Red Rocks after zoning is in place and that the college has participated in outreach and hosted meetings.

Council vote and outcome: Councilor Leah Dozeman moved to approve Council Bill 19-2025 on second reading; Councilor Steve Ulm seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: with zoning approved, the project team can advance site planning and detailed design, including required traffic and utility studies, state remediation steps, and any development agreements. Staff noted additional required approvals and coordination with special districts and the state for remediation and demolition of existing buildings.

Ending note: several councilors publicly praised the applicant and staff for the level of community outreach and the concept's sensitivity to neighboring properties. Supportive public testimony at the hearing included a lifelong Wheat Ridge resident who urged support for affordable housing and redevelopment of a long-blighted property.