Wheat Ridge City Council Approves Lutheran Legacy Campus Rezoning

On April 28, the Wheat Ridge City Council unanimously approved the rezoning of the former Lutheran Medical Center property, taking a major step toward implementing a community-driven vision for the 100-acre site. The new zoning will ensure that future development delivers more parks and open space, walkable streets, and diverse housing options—all while preserving cherished assets and protecting the character of nearby neighborhoods.

One of the most significant changes: the developer will be required to dedicate 20% of the property to public open space, double the typical requirement for mixed-use projects. This will create new parks and a public trail through the campus and into the city’s regional trail network, making it easier for residents to walk, bike, and enjoy nature.

The custom zoning, known as MU-LLC (Mixed Use–Lutheran Legacy Campus), also guides where and how new housing can be built. Lower-density homes will be placed along the site’s perimeter to blend with adjacent neighborhoods, while taller buildings—capped at five stories—will be concentrated in the campus core. This thoughtful mix of apartments, townhomes, duplexes and single-unit homes supports walkability and maximizes open space while meeting housing needs for all ages and stages of life.

The zoning directly reflects the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, completed in 2021 and developed through extensive public engagement. Over 1,200 residents participated in surveys, meetings, and workshops to shape the plan’s goals and priorities. In 2024, Wheat Ridge voters reaffirmed this vision by passing a ballot measure—approved by 67%—that limited building heights in the center of the campus to five stories and lowers height allowances on the perimeter of the site to 30 feet.

In addition to parks and housing, the new zoning preserves cherished community assets like the Blue House and the chapel, which will be protected and incorporated into future development.

All development proposals will also be subject to traffic and parking studies, and the developer will be required to pay for infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, streets, drainage, and utilities. Bike and pedestrian connections will be prioritized to ensure safe, accessible routes throughout the campus.

Watch the April 28 rezoning hearing.(External link)
Explore the new zoning regulations(External link).