Belmar Commons Residents Have No Recourse
Many residents from the Belmar Commons area showed up at Lakewood City Council meeting to ask Lakewood to reconsider dense re-development without adequate street development or consideration for the park sanctuary. Lakewood has responded with additional information, including the fact that Belmar Park is not a bird sanctuary.
After the public outpouring, the Mayor responded that residents should continue to work on the issue with their Councilor. Attendees expressed their skepticism that any action would result from that conversation, as well they should since the Mayor already said no action could be taken by the Council. The response from city indicated that all of the resident concerns were unfounded.
One resident shared her public statement:
“My name Is Barbara Millman. I have lived in Lakewood for 30 years. Ward 2. “One of the true jewels of the City of Lakewood park system, Belmar Park, is a peaceful enclave in the center of town.” That is a direct quote from the city of Lakewood’s website describing Belmar Park. I agree. I visit it often because it’s my sanctuary away from the rush of city life and noise. The majority of people I encounter there are friendly and appear happy. I am happy walking my dog on its well worn paths, spotting at a pond’s edge turtles lined up on a log facing the sun, further away seeing Canada Geese parade down the center of Kountze Lake, nesting cormorants content on a little island, and a Great Blue Heron taking off for points unknown. The park – even during the pandemic – was never overrun with people. It actually helped get us through it. The park is indeed a “peaceful enclave in the center of a town.” Belmar Park must not become the backyard of a large development of 412 units and as many or more cars. The impact of this dense development adjacent to our park is unfathomable and very concerning to many users. Philanthropist May Bonfils Stanton purchased the land that is now Belmar Park in 1936 to protect wildlife on Kountze Lake and the rest of her property. That included 30 mule deer, many peacocks, ducks and geese. She had Colorado officials approve it as “State Licensed Preserve No. 557,” where “hunting, fishing or trespassing for any purpose” were forbidden. The grounds were patrolled by armed security guards. May Bonfils Stanton would be crushed to learn what direction her paradise is now taking. I urge you to preserve this sanctuary that as it is to make people happy and critters thrive. I urge you to Save Belmar Park.
With regards to the park and bird sanctuary, Lakewood responded that “An environmental study is not required. Belmar park is not a bird sanctuary, though we are aware of the many species of bird that reside in and pass through the park.”
Lakewood also says there are no safety concerns within the development. although the city does not have to have emergency plans, “West Metro Fire Rescue reviews new development proposals within the city to ensure that sites are designed in accordance with applicable fire codes, inlcuding emergency access condiserations and requirements.”
The traffic study was completed in June-July of 2021, which appears to be before the site design for the current development. Lakewood reports that “Transportation Engineering staff have determined that existing street infrastructure can accomodate the additional vehicular traffic.”
Despite the reassurances from Lakewood, residents have seen cause for concern where problems have developed with traffic and stormwater in areas where Lakewood has fully evaluated and approved development.
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