Author : Lakewood News from Karen

Guest Post As told by my friend Kwok ‘Ben’ Louie who now lives in New Mexico and spends time doing Habitat for Humanity builds.  As Ben notes, their backyard in Hong Kong was a botanic garden.  FYI – Back then, they still had biodiversity of wildlife and birds in parks.  Sounds like a tough life growing up by many Americans’ standards.  But obviously a good life.  Now read on – To your question of have I ever been poor. I grew up until the age of 11 or 12 in a one room apartment, my parents, 3 sisters and me.  My parents’ quarters consisted of a bed, two dressers at the corner of the room with a partition wall and a curtain that can be drawn to close off that area.  A square table sat in the middle of the floor which acted as a table for homework for the four of us and a dining table comes meal time. There was no flushing toilet, no heat, let alone air cond.  We had a radio but no TV, washer/dryer was unheard of. Cooking was done on 2 kerosene stoves in a shared kitchen away from the room.   We walked to and from school, often in those incredible tropical downpours.  We so looked forward to our birthdays because on that day, the birthday boy or girl get to have corn flakes (such a novelty then) with real milk.  Because we didn’t have a refrigerator till later on, evaporated milk was the staple. My parents had to struggle to put food on the table, but we had no idea then.  But incredibly, those were the happiest days of our childhood.  Those were the days when my sisters and I built this immense bond that will last and sustain us for the rest of our lives. There were no toys, we invented our own games which were so much more fun and enjoyable than kids have these days.  We lived about a 5 minutes’ walk to the botanical garden and that became our backyard.  Thinking back, we never envied the folks who had plenty. Having been poor gives one advantages, it provides a balanced perspective on life, gives you strength to draw on in hard times and an appreciation of what we have and how to use them. My dad saved enough money for my first year of college.  I was dirt poor during my college years.  Worked one and a half full time jobs in summer and part time during school.  I’ve worked side by side with Mexicans picking cucumbers in the field under the blazing sun.  My date was a walk through the campus and then treated my date to a DingDong/Snowball (her choice of course) for a quarter in the Student Union.  I love my college days too. Some of my highlights and I mean highlights to share with you.   

Cross post from Colorado Accountability Project The Sun article below profiles people who are living in an RV because they can’t afford a home.**  As anyone who has read enough of the Sun could probably guess, the profile plays up the struggles of people who live in RV’s and, of course, details the horrible trials they go through.  If the topic is of interest, give it a read. What I want to touch on with this post is the question of whether or not you’re owed a particular way of life in a particular place.  I would say you’re not, but the tone (and even words sometimes) of articles and people in this state make me wonder if perhaps others think you are.   Think about all the articles like the ones below that deal in how this or that could solve the housing crisis while allowing people here to live their best lives.  Often, these solutions would also require some form of government intervention or help–either with money, relaxing rules, or suchlike.  As I sometimes do, I take the questions I have, the things I wonder about, and flip them inside out or turn them around in my head to look from a new angle.   Read more… Reader Recommended Business: URILUXE Aesthetics

Guest Post from Steve Farthing Belmar Park West is the 412-unit multifamily project at 777 S Yarrow Street in Lakewood, Colorado on the east property line of Belmar Park at the Irongate office complex.  This post explains the significant loss of the tree canopy habitat at the Irongate multifamily property site next to Belmar Park. As per page 7 of the developer’s site plan, 69 large trees requiring replacement will be removed. It is not possible to replace such large trees with equally large trees.  So thousands of small trees should be planted instead. Key points: The vast majority of the existing tree canopy habitat zone at the Irongate west office complex will be lost using Lakewood’s current zoning regulations. What can Lakewood do? Lakewood City Council can fix the inadequate tree replacement formula by changing one word at 17.6.5.9(A) of the zoning ordinance to replace the caliper equivalent method with the basal area method and defining the basal area calculation.  The basal area calculation is a simple calculation based on the area of a circle (r2 x π) that would be done for each tree that is removed.  The developer has already provided the tree Diameters at Breast Height (DBH) measurements needed. Here is the Proposed Zoning Ordinance Change to 17.6.5.9(A): replaced at a rate of 100 percent of the total caliper  basal area of trees removed from the site.  Basal area is defined as follows: Basal Area is the tree radius squared times pi  or r2 x π Tree radius is tree diameter at breast height (DBH) divided by 2.  Pi=3.14 Basal Area Example: Tree diameter = 12 inches ;  12/2=6 ;  6×6=36 ; 36×3.14=113.04 basal sq in” The Tree Replacement Calculation Lakewood Uses Today: The multifamily project will remove 69 large trees with a combined caliper of 1,299 inches. To simplify, that is an average caliper of 18.8 caliper inches per tree. ‘Caliper’ is a forestry term for the diameter of a tree.  The project developer has already measured the diameter, or caliper, of each tree at breast height (DBH) and meticulously plotted the tree sizes and locations on their site engineering drawings.  Well done on the part of the developer. Lakewood then sums the caliper inches of each tree to be removed to derive one number representing the total caliper inches of all condemned trees combined.  As long as the total caliper inches of the replacement trees equals the total caliper inches of the removed large trees, Lakewood is happy. So what’s wrong with using caliper inches to determine tree replacements? Let’s assume Lakewood runs a pizza parlor and you ordered an 8-inch pizza.  Lakewood could tell you they are out of 8-inch pizzas but can give you two 4-inch pizzas because the caliper of the two 4-inch pizzas is equal to 8 inches.  Is that a good deal?  No.  It is a huge rip off. An 8-inch pizza has 50.24 square inches of pizza surface area. A 4-inch pizza only has 12.56 square inches.  Two of them only have 25.12 square inches.  So you would be getting half of an 8 inch pizza.  That is also the method Lakewood uses today to calculate the number of replacement trees. Today, Lakewood ignores the cross-section area of the tree also called the basal area which is similar to the area of a circle or round pizza. So, if a developer had cut down one 8-inch diameter tree, he would be allowed to plant two 4-inch caliper (diameter) replacement trees which would be half what is needed. Here’s how Professor Kim Coder of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia and author of over 500 technical publications and articles and President of the International Society of Arboriculture explains it: From <https://warnell.uga.edu/directory/people/dr-kim-d-coder> “The immense scale of values, benefits, and functions from a large tree can require many trees in replacement to reach some semblance of equivalency and value return to the owner and/or society. Do not accept “pennies for dollars lost” when big trees are removed. Maintaining tree asset values and their appreciation over time is key to great communities. Another more ecologically accurate means of determining the number of replacement trees with a given size is based upon removal tree cross-sectional area (sometimes referred to as a “basal area”).  Each square inch of removed tree cross-sectional area is replaced by a square inch of a replacement tree cross-sectional area. Because removed tree trunk size was proportional to its crown, and because a tree crown provides many values, crown replacement as estimated by basal area is appropriate to use in replacing tree values and functions lost.”  -End quote So, the average basal area of those 69 removed trees is 278 square inches per tree or a total area of 19,182 basal square inches. (1299 caliper inches/69 trees =18.83 avg diameter/2=9.41 radius x9.41×3.14= 278 sq in x 69 trees = 19,182 total basal sq inches) In their letter of June 5, 2023, Lakewood Planning will allow either 650 2-inch trees or 433 3-inch trees to replace the 69 removed trees.  Either scenario equals the 1299 caliper inches of the trees being removed. 433 3-inch trees only provide 3,059 sq inches of basal area. (3/2=1.5;1.5×1.5=2.25×3.14=7.065×433=3,059)  Basal Area of a 3-inch tree = 7.065 sq in Using 3-inch trees leaves a deficiency of 16,123 sq in of basal area.  (19,182-3,059=16,123 ) At least 2,282 additional 3-inch trees are required to make up that basal area deficiency. (16,123/7.065=2,282.0948 ) FYI – Basal Area Calculator: https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/basal-area What happens if we do nothing? Planting thousands of small replacement trees seems like a big ask.  But protecting and preserving our environment is much easier to do now than fixing it later.  It may not be possible to fix later.  Losing biodiversity is more expensive in the future than protecting it now. The collective choices of city councils can make the difference. Can we blame developers for habitat loss? If developers are ethical and do everything that is asked of them by complying with all regulations, it is difficult to blame them. 

Cross post from RooneyValleyNews The Lakewood City Council voted 6 – 3 in favor of the new Developer Reimbursement Agreement. Yet, the discussion between council members and staff told a story that would give reasonable residents pause to wonder “why”. [Video inserts from meeting provided] But the Adam Paul group insisted this was just between developers and there would be no cost whatsoever to the residents of the homes built in these developer “reimbursement areas”. Read more…

Guest Post from a Resident to Save Belmar Park There are two upcoming meetings that you are invited and encouraged to please attend.  Meeting #1 – Community Organizing Meeting Hosted by Regina Hopkins and City Council Member Anita Springsteen – Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 6:30 PM at Phillips United Methodist Church, 1450 S. Pierce St, Lakewood, CO 80232 Oct 17 Meeting Description:  We are planning an in-person community planning meeting next Tues. Oct. 17 at 6:30pm at Phillips United Methodist Church at 1450 S Pierce St, Lakewood, CO 80232.   Please join us and help us plan to introduce a motion to adopt the resolution at next City Council meeting on Oct. 23. Bonus Action Item: We also need to lobby at least 3 more council members to vote yes on this motion for resolution, sponsored by Ward 3 City Council Member Anita Springsteen.  Let your city council rep know your support. Please come and we’re excited to brainstorm and keep this momentum going, trying to stop or properly mitigate this development at 777 S Yarrow St from happening! We CAN do amazing things when we come together for a common cause. Meeting #2 – Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm Council Chambers & Zoom, 480 S Allison Parkway, 80226 View Map City Council Meeting goal: As many Save Belmar Park members as possible should attend in support of a resolution to be presented by Ward 3 City Council Representative Anita Springsteen for a vote of city council.  Councilor Springsteen has submitted an agenda request for the meeting.  More Save Belmar Park members in attendance means more political pressure on city council members to do the right thing.  The resolution directs that Lakewood City Council requires the proposed development at 777 S Yarrow St adjacent to Belmar Park to include the following mitigations: Council Member Mary Janssen is among city council members who have already expressed support to vote for our 777 S Yarrow St resolution.  Thank You Councilor Janssen! Councilor Janssen also invites everyone to please support her proposal to reduce Lakewood’s property tax mill levy which will also be on the agenda at the same Oct 23rd city council meeting.  Councilor Janssen invites everyone to please offer public comment in support of her property tax relief measure.  Media Coverage In case you have not seen the media coverage of our community action, here are some recent stories: KMGH Channel 7:   https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/lakewood-residents-rally-against-apartment-project-proposed-near-belmar-park KDVR Channel 31:  https://kdvr.com/news/local/save-belmar-park-lakewood-residents-protest-proposed-apartment-build/ Jeffco Transcript:  https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2023/10/13/lakewood-residents-protest-belmar-park-development-council-to-discuss-further-oct-23/

News Release from Barbara Millman Contact:  Barbara Millman 303 519 2949 Lakewood woman to chain herself to a tree Saturday to protest planned gigantic apartment building bordering treasured Belmar Park As condo and apartment construction runs rampant around metro Denver, leaving its citizens feeling disgusted and helpless, a group of Lakewood residents have declared they are “mad as Hell and…not going to take this any more.” “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this any more!” from Paddy Chayevsky’s play and screenplay Network. They are protesting a planned 412 unit high rise luxury apartment building (see image below) bordering the east side of their beloved Belmar Park, a magical and serene home to birds and wildlife and visiting humans.  For humans, it’s a sweet and calm oasis from the frenetic urban world they inhabit.   To join the group or for future updates, email savethepark@spamex.com On Saturday during Lakewood’s Cider Days at 801 S. Yarrow, longtime Lakewood resident Lorraine May Springer will chain herself to a tree in the park (at the northwest corner of Ohio and S. Yarrow) from 11 am to 2 pm to protest the plan to cut down 69 mature trees to make way for the development.   The 72 year-old grandmother said, “I am sounding an alarm to friends and neighbors to speak out against Lakewood’s short-sighted, unconscionable approach to development at the Lakewood City Council meeting at 7pm on Monday, October 9 at 480 S. Allison.” Others in the group have researched how the city is ignoring its own ordinances and plans that declare it to be a leader in sustainability.  They have found that Lakewood has reneged on its pledge to: Additionally: How to Connect to Provide Public Comment:By Computer:https://lakewood.zoom.us/j/84957320840By iPad, iPhone, or Android device on the Zoom App, enter webinar ID:849 5732 0840 By Telephone: 720-707-2699Webinar ID: 849 5732 0840 #Participant ID: # (just type #)Press *9 to Request to Speak, you will be prompted when to speak.Press *6 to Unmute

Submitted by the Wholeness Hut The tenants of the Squire Plaza are coming together to offer a fun family Halloween Celebration on Saturday, October 14th from 10am-7pm.  Lakewood small businesses from the Squire Plaza will each be offering their own special way of celebrating Halloween. From safe trick or treating, costume contests, and more. Adults can also treat themselves with the many discounted services being offered that day:  The Squire Plaza houses many amazing businesses that love serving their Lakewood community.  The Squire Plaza Halloween Celebration invites their community to join them for tricks and treats for the whole family. Recommended Business: The Wholeness Hut

Lakewood has 26% of Jefferson County’s overall population but has 50% of its homeless population. The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHi) point-in-time data provide the homeless point-in-time data for Lakewood as well as Jefferson County. The most common explanation for the rise in homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. However, that explanation applies equally across the front range. So why does Lakewood have so many of Jefferson County’s homeless? According to the Strategic Housing Study presentation, Lakewood has 1.2 more homes per job than economically growing areas like Denver. That pushes Denver employees to live in areas like Lakewood. Lakewood then becomes a so-called bedroom community to cities with jobs. From a homelessness point of view, Lakewood may be so affordable and attractive that Denver employees are displacing local residents. But Lakewood is not uniquely positioned that way. The Strategic Housing Study also pointed out that “housing value is not unusually high” in Lakewood. So affordable housing cannot be cited as the reason that Lakewood has so much of Jefferson County’s homeless population. Denver is also pushing its homeless to Lakewood. Lakewood homeless have said they needed to move because Denver got too dangerous. Lakewood’s position next to Denver could explain the higher population, especially along Colfax Avenue. The solution to this would seem to be increased enforcement along Colfax, a solution that residents along Colfax have argued is not occurring (see 10 min mark https://lakewoodspeaks.org/meetings/570) Another factor commonly cited for high homeless populations is high overall population density. In other words, big city = big homeless. Lakewood is the largest city in Jefferson County, even though it only accounts for 30% of the population. Likewise, Denver has almost 70% of the metro area’s homeless despite less than a third of its total population. If this is the problem the solution would be slower population growth or a shift to more jobs-based growth. This solution was rejected by Lakewood. In fact, the Strategic Housing study cites the possible goal of maintaining Lakewood’s status as the largest city in Jefferson County. Prior to the affordable housing crisis, homelessness was attributed to a variety of other problems, such as economic difficulties, mental health and substance abuse. In their 2019 report advocating for housing, the Colorado Coalition for Homeless cite a 1988 statistic that 71% of people experiencing homelessness have a mental illness or post-traumatic stress, and that 58% have substance abuse disorders. Presumably their experience shows that the 1988 statistic is still relevant, although a 2011 study of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) shows only 30-50% of chronically homeless have mental health or substance abuse problems. An SMI Advisor report cite a 66% number, saying it is “not surprising that 2/3 of surveyed homeless adults in the U.S. have mental health and/or substance use disorder.” Mental health and/or substance abuse problems are also not unique to Lakewood. The MDHi report shows the number one reason for being homeless was a “relationship/family breakup” or “unable to pay rent”. MDHi assert the reason for homelessness as lack of affordable housing but do not give relevant background research. The many reasons a person is unable to pay the rent/mortgage are unexplained although there are unrelated income statistics provided. This reason, again, does not explain the Lakewood disparity. The MDHi report is “through the lens of racial equity and lived experience” and shows there are “historic funding opportunities” available. These numbers suggest that reasons for the high rate of homelessness in Lakewood, such as affordable housing or substance abuse, needs to be examined from a policy perspective for what may be unique to Lakewood.

From Colorado Updates “Adam Paul, the new Director of Regional Affairs, has over 20 years of public service experience. He is serving his second term as Lakewood’s Mayor, focusing on issues like affordable housing, homelessness, fiscal stability, and environmental sustainability. In his new role, Paul will work with various agencies and jurisdictions to improve communication and coordination.” Read more…