The Wheat Ridge Planning Commission voted 7-0 on Oct. 16, 2025, to approve case WZ2411, a phased specific development plan allowing Rocky Mountain Hardwood Processing to begin outdoor operations and storage at 4877 Robb Street while postponing construction of the primary building to a later phase.

Stephanie Stevens, planner with the City of Wheat Ridge Community Development Department, told commissioners that “all appropriate notification and posting requirements have been met.” The proposal reauthorizes an SDP originally approved in October 2023 (case WZ2207) but adds a formal two‑phase schedule that defers the building and certain utilities to phase two.

Under the approved phasing, the applicant will complete public frontage improvements and interim site work in phase one and build the primary office/warehouse and remaining site improvements in phase two. The SDP and applicant materials show phase‑one work concentrated in the southern portion of the site (Planning Area 2), including paved frontage and parking near Robb Street, a gravel access drive and screened outdoor storage set more than 200 feet back from Robb Street and about 100 feet from a neighboring single‑unit residence. The plan includes a 4‑foot screening fence along Robb Street and 6‑foot fencing along north and south property lines, interim street trees with manual watering, an on‑site detention pond, and construction of curb, gutter and sidewalk along Robb Street.

CJ Kearse of Tahoe Consulting, representing Rocky Mountain Hardwood Processing, described the company as “a small local company” with a “0 waste philosophy” and said the phased approach will allow the business to operate on site while securing funds to complete the full buildout. Owner Sean Enfield said the property has been used for firewood and tree work for the past two years and that the business has been “super conscientious about when we work there.” Enfield added the planned building “will deaden [noise] beyond what it is to date.”

Commissioners asked about enforcement if phase deadlines are missed and about potential noise impacts during the interim, when operations will be outdoors. Stevens said a subdivision improvement agreement (SIA) obligates the developer to complete public improvements on the timeline and that staff added a condition requiring the item to return to the Planning Commission if phasing or deadlines change. Enfield said neighbors contacted him with few complaints and that the nearby residential neighbor reported no issues.

Staff recommended approval with conditions that include: no outdoor storage within the drainage easement; any unshown development or modification requires SDP amendment consistent with municipal code section 26-307; civil construction drawings and permits prior to construction; the associated subdivision plat (MS2303) must be recorded prior to recording the SDP; the developer must enter into a subdivision improvement agreement recorded with the county clerk and recorder before building permits; building permit submittal must be consistent with the SDP; and any changes to phasing or deadlines require a new application and reapproval by Planning Commission.

The motion to approve case WZ2411 cited conformance with the planned development purpose, consistency with the previously approved outline development plan, and agency serviceability. The motion was moved by Commissioner Christine Disney and seconded (second not specified on the record). The Planning Commission vote was 7-0 in favor.

Next steps: the applicant must record the subdivision plat (MS2303), execute a subdivision improvement agreement, obtain required permits and comply with the SDP conditions. Any future change to phasing or deadlines must return to Planning Commission.