As the voting period for local ballot measures draws near, Localworks is committed to ensuring that Wheat Ridge residents are well-informed. On September 26, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., Localworks will host Ballots and Beans at Stylus and Crate to educate the community on the upcoming decisions regarding the future of the Lutheran Legacy Campus. This event is part of Localworks’ ongoing dedication to community education, particularly on changes that impact Wheat Ridge.
The Lutheran Legacy Campus has long been a central part of Wheat Ridge. However, following the relocation of Lutheran Hospital to Clear Creek Crossing in August 2024, the now semi-vacant, 100-acre campus offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the area. This November, Wheat Ridge voters will address a ballot question that proposes amending the city charter related to building heights on parts of the campus.
The City of Wheat Ridge adopted the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan in 2021, which set out key priorities:
Retaining existing assets like the historic blue house and chapel.
Creating public open spaces within the campus.
Ensuring that development adjacent to existing neighborhoods remains low-density residential.
The Master Plan determined that achieving the outcomes listed above would be feasible only if the buildings in the center of the campus could be taller than what is currently allowed by the city charter (35 feet for residential, 50 feet for commercial). A ballot measure would ask voters to amend the charter to:
Lower the maximum allowed height for residential structures to 30 feet (2.5 stories) adjacent to residential neighborhoods to the east, west, and south of the campus. Current law allows medical buildings up to 65 feet in some locations along the perimeter.
Limit the maximum allowed height to 70 feet (5 stories) in the center of the campus. (As a point of reference, the existing hospital building is 91 feet.)
The purpose of this proposed ballot measure is to enable redevelopment of the whole campus in line with the community’s vision.
Ballots and Beans will be held at Stylus and Crate, located at 6985 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO, on Thursday, September 26. It will feature two identical presentations, at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., each followed with the opportunity to speak with elected officials and city staff to get your questions answered.
Attendees can expect a concise, informative presentation covering the history of the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan and the rationale behind the proposed ballot measure. The event is designed to address community concerns comprehensively, offering resources and expertise to answer technical, policy-related, and visionary questions.
As the November elections approach, it’s important for Wheat Ridge residents to be informed about issues that will shape the community’s future. Ballots and Beans offers the chance to engage with experts, ensuring you vote with confidence and clarity.
We invite all Wheat Ridge residents to join us at Stylus and Crate on September 26 for Ballots and Beans. This event is your opportunity to learn, ask questions, and become an informed voter. For more details, visit wearelocalworks.org/events or contact our office directly.
