The Code prohibits tobacco product retailers from operating within 1000 feet of a youth-oriented facility (such as schools, parks, recreation facilities, etc.). The “grandfathering" clause of Code section 11-534(d) nevertheless exempts those retailers who were in place on the effective date of Ordinance 1710 Series 2021, which created the 1000-foot limit. However, if that retailer sells the business, the buyer of the business is not eligible for the grandfathering protection of that Code section. Councilmember Hoppe, supported by Councilors Dozeman and Hultin, requested that Council consider an ordinance expanding the grandfathering scope of Code 11-534(d) to include purchasers of a protected location. Council provided consensus to proceed with a code amendment on September 9, 2024.

This ordinance makes several amendments to the City’s Business Licensing Code. These changes are designed to ensure compliance with state legislation, transition to bi-annual business license renewals, introduce an inspection fee, and consolidate certain special licenses with regular business licenses.

Traffic issues, primarily excessive speeds and red-light violations, are a continual complaint from the public. Residents contact various departments, primarily the police department, to request speed and other traffic enforcement on their streets to address the increased hazards these violations tend to create. Wheat Ridge is a smaller community impacted by major roadways and highways often used by community members and non-community members alike. This volume of traffic makes it difficult for an agency, sized to serve the community of residents and businesses, to adequately meet the demands of traffic control and safety. The use of technology in law enforcement continues to be one of the more impactful changes to modern day policing. One of those innovative technologies that is expanding nationwide is the use of Automated Vehicle Identification Systems (AVIS). Staff is requesting City Council to adopt a new Article VI in Chapter 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow for the use of AVIS in Wheat Ridge to address these traffic concerns.

Sustainability is an important issue within the City of Wheat Ridge, impacting municipal operations, businesses, and residents alike. Staff have been working to update the initial 2018 Sustainability Action Plan, and this resolution would adopt the 2024 Sustainability Action Plan Update: A Five-Year Roadmap as City policy to guide future decisions and actions affecting sustainability efforts throughout the City.

City staff is working with the City of Edgewater to design and construct a roundabout at the intersection of 26th Avenue and Harlan Street. A roundabout would slow speeding vehicles, improve opportunities for pedestrians to cross 26th Avenue and enhance the existing bike lanes along 26th Avenue. It is necessary to acquire portions of private property in order to construct the roundabout. Temporary easements for use during construction are also required. Two of the properties where land is needed are located in Wheat Ridge. Therefore, the needed land must be accepted by the city as permanent and temporary easements.

The City of Wheat Ridge manages contractor licensing through both the Public Works and Community Development Departments. Contractors who complete work in the City’s rights-of-way obtain a municipal contractor license through Public Works. Contractors who complete work on private property obtain a building contractor license through the Building Division. Staff from both departments are working on the implementation of the new OpenGov software which will streamline permitting and licensing. In preparation for these changes, staff has identified a need to simplify the contractor licensing framework. The purpose of the October 7 study session is to seek Council concurrence on related code amendments and fee changes for building and municipal contractors.

On May 13, 2024, City Council passed Resolution 26-2024 in support of initiating a legislative zone change for the Lutheran Legacy Campus. The legislative zone change will be based on the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, adopted by City Council on October 25, 2021, through creation of a new mixed use zone district specifically for the campus. Staff presented a draft zoning framework to City Council on July 15, 2024, and Council gave consensus to proceed with the zoning framework presented, which will follow the recommendations of the Master Plan. Council also gave additional directions on some topics that were not specified in the Master Plan, such as signage and permitted uses. Staff presented the same zoning framework to Planning Commission on August 15, 2024, with some additional details based on the proposed ballot question language. On September 17, staff presented some details of the proposed zoning rules at the City Plan open house. This meeting also served as the required neighborhood meeting for the legislative zone change. Owners and occupants within 1000 feet of the property were invited; over 1700 postcards were mailed. The public was also invited to comment specifically about the zoning through an online form on What’s Up Wheat Ridge from September 3 to 17.

This is the third of four updates to the Planning Commission for the City Plan. This will include a presentation where the project team provides an overview of the project and a summary of input thus far. This item will also include a presentation and discussion of new content, including a Place Type framework and a Mobility framework.

The Code prohibits tobacco product retailers from operating within 1000 feet of a youth-oriented facility (such as schools, parks, recreation facilities, etc.). The “grandfathering" clause of Code section 11-534(d) nevertheless exempts those retailers who were in place on the effective date of Ordinance 1710 Series 2021, which created the 1000-foot limit. However, if that retailer sells the business, the buyer of the business is not eligible for the grandfathering protection of that Code section. Councilmember Hoppe, supported by Councilors Dozeman and Hultin, requested that Council consider an ordinance expanding the grandfathering scope of Code 11-534(d) to include purchasers of a protected location. Council provided consensus to proceed with a code amendment on September 9, 2024.

In 2023 and 2024 the city developed a Facilities Master Plan (FMP) to assess the city’s space needs for existing and projected facility requirements. Key findings of the FMP include space deficits within most buildings related primarily to recent and projected staff growth and to shortfalls in various functional and operational areas. Due to the potential re-use of the Lutheran medical site, staff felt that it was important to proceed with additional analysis and planning at this time. Two proposals were received from architectural firms in response to a Request for Proposals. site. Staff recommends entering into a contract with Anderson Hallas Architects in the amount of $216,864 with a contingency amount of $3,136 for a total, not-to-exceed amount of $220,000.

As part of the City’s Green at 38th project to create a public gathering space between Stevens Elementary and 38th Avenue, the Jefferson County School District (the District) conveyed a portion of the site including the school parking lot to the City in consideration for the construction of a new parking lot. As a condition of conveying the site, the City and the District agreed to enter into this agreement for the shared use of the District parking lot and to minimize disruption to school operations from activities at the site.

Resolution No. 46-2024 expresses the City of Wheat Ridge's support for Jefferson County Ballot Measure 1A, which aims to permanently eliminate Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) revenue restrictions, allowing the county to retain and spend all collected revenue. If passed, Measure 1A would eliminate the need for Jefferson County to issue TABOR refunds and would enable the county to dedicate these funds toward transportation, infrastructure, and public safety.