Wheat Ridge is facing the same pressures as Lakewood. Both cities want to turn established neighborhoods and properties into something completely different with little public input. Does any of this sound like the Belmar Park problem to you? High-density, no setback, no parking… a big change that the city has to make big changes for while not listening to big public pushback.
Update: A quick count of the days shows that Wheat Ridge is giving residents 9 days to petition instead of 10 because July 4 is a holiday. There’s always another challenge. Let your Wheat Ridge friends know to get over to sign soon!
From Stop Zoning of High Density Housing in old Lutheran Hospital
Save the land at the Old Lutheran Hospital from becoming a high-density housing project! 1,200 Signatures needed. Wheat Ridge residents: Meet at The Historic Blue House @ Old Lutheran Hospital to sign June 24-July 3 , 7am-7pm
What’s up with the new zoning of the old Lutheran campus?
Here’s what people are saying:
A change of this magnitude should be voted on by all citizens of Wheat Ridge.
- In the past, we’ve voted on the rezoning of small properties – we should vote on the rezoning of
100 acres in the Heart of Wheat Ridge
Allows the creation of a crowded urban environment on much of the property:
More than 2,000 housing units can be built, according to the developer. [Sec. 26-1404]
Maximal building coverage. [Sec. 26-211, 26-1405]
- No limit on how much of a parcel can be taken up by a building.
- In contrast, our normal high-density zone (R-3) allows only 40% building coverage.
No setbacks. [Sec 26-1405]
- Buildings MUST be placed close to the street. No separation between buildings required.
Minimal landscaping and open space [Sec. 26-1405; 26-1409, 26-502].
- Note: the 20% mentioned is much less than our normal requirements.
- No landscaping or useable open space around multi-unit buildings is required.
No parkland dedication to the City is required. [Sec. 26-414]
- In contrast, our normal regulations require a developer to develop and dedicate parkland to the city at the rate of 7.5 acres per 1,000 residents.
Minimal parking [Sec. 26-1407, wheatridgespeaks.org/items/1522]
- No parking spaces required for multi-unit buildings.
- On-street parking (including on Dudley St) counts toward the parking space requirement for
single homes and duplexes.
Variances from even these minimal standards are allowed, including variances of more
than 50%. [Sec 26-1416]
No Historic Designation or Registry of the Blue House, Chapel or Tuberculosis Tent.
- Only the actual structures are mentioned, with no limitation on how they can be repurposed. No requirement for rebuilding in case of damage. No penalties. [Sec. 26-1411]
Nothing about affordable homeownership. [It’s not found anywhere in MU-LLC regs.]
- We need ownership options for first responders, teachers, young families.
No limit on the number of units that can be rentals. [It’s not in the MU-LLC regulations.]
- Wheat Ridge already has one of the highest percentages of rentals in the metro area
NO traffic studies have been done.
- Where is the analysis of the impact on 32nd and 38th? We should know before we give a developer the right to build so many units.
Read more about this issue on their facebook page
And find time to sign their petition at one of the meeting times: at The Historic Blue House @ Old Lutheran Hospital to sign June 24-july 3 , 7am-7pm