Wheat Ridge planning commission approves Dave & Buster’s at Clear Creek Crossing
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Summary
The Wheat Ridge Planning Commission unanimously approved a specific development plan for a 31,281-square-foot Dave & Buster’s at 3800 Clear Creek Drive in the Clear Creek Crossing mixed‑use development, with conditions including minor site adjustments, a required replat and a recorded development agreement.
The Wheat Ridge Planning Commission on Feb. 20 recommended approval of a specific development plan for a 31,281‑square‑foot Dave & Buster’s entertainment venue at 3800 Clear Creek Drive in the Clear Creek Crossing planned mixed‑use development.
Planning Manager Jana Easley presented the case (SDP25‑2), describing a single‑story, 37‑foot building oriented along Clear Creek Drive, 284 parking spaces, pedestrian connections and a plaza that complements other public spaces in the development. Easley told commissioners the SDP is the second step under the 2018 outline development plan (ODP) and that all required notices and referrals had been completed. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including coordination of minor civil adjustments, recording subdivision case SUB‑25‑13 prior to recording the SDP, and a developer agreement to be recorded before building permits are issued.
Commissioners raised questions about electric‑vehicle infrastructure and landscaping constraints. Commissioner Anna Sparks asked about EV parking; Cody Ochis, a civil engineering consultant on the project, said the team will install six active EV stalls immediately and will install conduit and panel capacity to make adding chargers easier in the future, consistent with Wheat Ridge code. Commissioners also asked whether utility conflicts limit planting; staff said underground utilities such as water and sewer lines prevent some street tree plantings.
Members of the commission acknowledged community comments posted to Wheat Ridge Speaks that expressed traffic and character concerns. Easley told the commission that the project’s traffic estimates are below anticipated levels from a 2008 traffic study that had assumed much larger uses, and that the master developer — in coordination with the hospital — will reanalyze traffic at full build‑out and may implement signal timing or turn‑lane changes as needed. Easley also said staff had received a mix of formal comments and informal expressions of excitement from neighbors.
Commissioner Gravy said he sympathized with concerns about whether the Dave & Buster’s use fits the character of other businesses in Clear Creek Crossing but acknowledged that the project otherwise met approval criteria. Commissioner Sparks moved to approve SDP25‑2, citing five findings of consistency with the code and the ODP and listing the staff conditions; Commissioner Michael Moore seconded. The motion passed on a 5‑0 voice vote.
The commission’s recommendation advances the project to the city council and to subsequent permitting and civil‑plan review; staff noted civil construction documents are still under review and that outside districts (fire, water and others) have not raised objections but that minor coordination changes may be required to match civils and the recorded plat.
