Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

"Zoning Complete" overlaid on draft zoning map

Final Zoning Map Passed But Not Released

Lakewood City Council approved the final segment of the zoning code overhaul on October 13, 2025. Numerous neighborhoods were changed during the meeting to adopt a lower density zoning than was proposed. Those changes generally reflected high resident turnout with specific requests for their neighborhood. Residents cannot see what the final map looks like because it has not been made available, even though the final ordinance is legally published.

The adopted ordinance, O-2025-30, defines the new zoning map. However, confusion remains over inconsistencies between the map’s legend descriptions and the written code itself. For example, the map legend for R-L-B says “R-L-B – Low-Form Residential B: Traditional suburban housing, mostly single-family homes with potential for accessory dwelling units and duplexes that look housescale.”

Yet the zoning code contains no limit on the number of dwelling units allowed. It only limits the size of the building. The term duplex appears only as part of a general list of housing types—without numerical restriction:

“Dwelling, Residential: A building, with a permanent foundation, used for housing. This includes permanent and temporary housing arrangements, including but not limited to, single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, attached homes, multi-family.”

Residents have called the map misleading because it implies unit limits that are not enforced in the written code.

Amendments and Exceptions

The map passed with several amendments, many of which were unanimously approved. These were mostly exceptions to large-scale upzoning, and many specific neighborhoods were re-mapped to be the least dense zone possible.

Even these amended zones continue to be higher density than the current zoning due to increased occupancy limits. The definition of a dwelling unit now allows multiple households in a single building, meaning that every zone effectively increases potential density.

The next question will be to see if the down-zoning concessions will be enough to undercut the momentum for the referendum, or if residents will still support repealing all the zoning ordinances.

Public Comment

“This is the biggest crock I’ve ever heard!” – Lakewood resident during public comment

Residents packed the chambers and overflow seating, with hours of testimony and 124 written comments submitted through Lakewood Speaks.

Several public commentors were there to represent their neighbors or even entire neighborhoods, including:

  • Iliff Ridge, who submitted their own petition regarding zoning
  • Kawanee Gardens neighborhood whose Mutual Ditch Irrigation shareholders would be affected
  • Mountain View and Daniels Garden neighborhoods

Approximately 90% of these comments were against the zoning. That number didn’t seem to matter at this time, as opposed to the August 25 meeting, when there were fewer comments but mostly consisted of the supporters that were organized by Councilor Mayott-Guerrero. In that case, public comment was used as justification for moving forward. Council Members seem to pick and choose who to listen to.

Those in support of the zoning change cited the need for affordable housing and critiqued opposition for being NIMBY’s.

Notable Comments Opposed

Infrastructure

Several speakers cited the city’s lack of infrastructure planning, particularly for lots dependent on ditch rights and septic systems. This complete lack of infrastructure planning is why the Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District objected to the change. Despite Councilor Glenda Sinks questioning the relevance of a single district’s objection, state law requires utility consultation when such impacts exist. Several areas got changed to the lowest density zoning possible (still increased per structure) based, in part, on infrastructure.

Neighborhood Character

Residents voiced concerns that the new zoning erodes neighborhood character and invites redevelopment and gentrification. Many cited the loss of space for horses, small farms, plants, trees and wildlife. Residents were brought to tears as they fought for existing larger lots that are a prime target to redevelop.

People remarked the zoning enabled building similar to Denver. Many residents, including Margaret Morrissey below, moved to Lakewood to get away from that.

Margaret Morrissey ∙ Oct 13, 2025 ∙ 9:05pm Thank you for your hard work on many issues in Lakewood and for the opportunity to weigh in on the zoning plan. My husband and I grew up in the Sheridan and Yale area. We moved back to Lakewood to escape the exhausting density of Denver. Lakewood has a vastly different environment offering gracious pockets of open, nearly agricultural, space which contributes to the enjoyment of citizens. Every day we see wild turkey, eagles, and a variety of other animals that thrive in the remaining wild-ish places. Trees that take so long to grow on the high plains provide important habitat. The value of such spaces cannot be overstated, especially after seeing the destruction of the beautiful forest that used to be around the old Green Gables Country Club. Lakewood is not a one size fits all for zoning. Please don't make the same mistakes because there is no going back. I ask that you protect your citizens by rejecting the zoning proposal and focus instead on traffic and crime issues. 8 / 11 Councilors have viewed this comment

Affordability

Residents questioned the city’s claim that increased density would improve housing affordability. Residents showed many examples again and again and again to prove that similar efforts elsewhere have failed to produce lower housing costs.

Resident Gabriella Martyna says that she has “a lovely townhome” while in her 20’s. She points to the oft-cited development in the Highlands neighborhood as an example of what this zoning enables and residents do not want.

Jana Kmoch Mitchell ∙ Oct 13, 2025 ∙ 12:53pm Dear Members of the Lakewood City Council, I am a lifelong Colorado resident and have lived most of my 51 years here in Lakewood. Many of us were unaware of the drastic zoning changes being proposed — changes that already appear to be decided upon without full public engagement. How is this reflective of representing all constituents? I, along with many others, am strongly opposed to reclassifying our neighborhood from R-12 to R-L-A, R-L-B, or R-L-C. These changes will irreversibly alter the character of our community and destroy natural habitats that make Lakewood unique. Just yesterday, I watched a large raptor circle above my home — a reminder of what we stand to lose through unchecked densification. We are a historic neighborhood with amazing mature trees, open spaces, beautiful horse properties, all of which should be preserved, not changed to reduce the minimum square footage from as many as 18,000 SF to a drastic 1,500 SF. Our property, built in 1937 and purchased through the GI Bill by the original owners who raised six children here, represents the kind of attainable, family-based housing that Lakewood has long valued. “Affordable housing” should not mean crowding existing neighborhoods or erasing our rural landscape — it should mean preserving the balance that made people leave Denver for Lakewood in the first place. Our area still reflects its agricultural roots — there’s a ditch running through our backyard, remnants of old farmland. How will water rights be handled if parcels like ours are suddenly split multiple ways? Our current infrastructure and services are not ready for more density. We don’t even have sidewalks, and yet this zoning could turn our half-acre lot into space for thirteen homes, just as one example of many. This is not responsible growth. It’s rapid, irreversible change that will strain infrastructure, increase congestion, and destroy habitat. The best and only fair solution is not move forward with the proposed zoning changes. Please listen to the residents who live here, care for this land, and want to preserve what makes Lakewood special. Respectfully, Jana Kmoch Mitchell 1937 Hoyt St. 8 / 11 Councilors have viewed this comment
Gabriella Martyna ∙ Oct 13, 2025 ∙ 4:28pm You say there isn't affordable housing in Lakewood but I am in my 20's and have a lovely townhome. I am opposed to the new zoning for the sake of so-called affordable housing. Many of the old neighborhoods will be forever changed if you allow apartments or 4-plexes to cozy up to historic cottages. Just take a look at the beautiful Highlands neighborhood. 7 / 11 Councilors have viewed this comment

Council Not Listening

Residents also said repeatedly that they did not think Council was listening to them. In some cases, residents even feel Council lied or misled. Council has been replying that they’ve been working on this for years – which is not true unless densification was a done deal before the Comprehensive Plan was complete.

Regardless of when residents found out about the change, it is never too late for Council to listen and pivot.

Karen Girard ∙ Oct 13, 2025 ∙ 10:35am The Council has grossly OVER-estimated the “popularity” of this massive residential zoning overhaul. The City has yet to demonstrate a good track record in effectuating “affordable” “sustainable” “attainable” housing in its quite large, new developments (or mixed-use spaces) it already plans for, and/or has already installed recently along our major corridors, including some immediately adjacent to light-rail. Until it can do so, where economies-of-scale are fully in its favor, the City has very little credibility when it asserts that our vegetable gardens, horse barns, and old swingset pads, are also necessary for their zoning experiment. 8 / 11 Councilors have viewed this comment

Council Comment

Councilors largely avoided answering questions from residents during public comment. However, in several instances, Members broke their self-imposed “no interaction” rule to deliver directed responses from the dais—most notably Councilor Roger Low, who gave an extended rebuttal to resident criticisms.

NOTE: Council presentations are generally not allowed. Although there is time allowed for questions to staff, extended personal speeches are not encouraged. Some of these sitting Councilors even walked out when former Councilor Rich Olver made a presentation for staff, so the standards seem to have changed somewhat.

The Final Map Still Missing

Despite the ordinance being posted as “final,” the new map remains undisclosed, preventing residents from verifying which amendments passed. Neighbors in the Illiff, Kemo, Morse Park and other neighborhoods will have less density than the draft map presents. Other places around Lakewood that currently has R-1-6 or R-1-12 zoning were also changed to the new R-L-A or R-L-B zoning. Verification is needed.

Final Vote

The zoning map passed on an 8–3 vote just after midnight, with Councilor LaBure, Rein and Nystrom against. 

Councilors who approved the zoning map were Wendi Strom, Glenda Sinks, Jeslin Shahrezaei, Isable Cruz, Ken Cruz, Roger Low, Sophia Mayott-Guerrero, and Bill Furman.

Council adjourned the meeting shortly after, rather than holding a general public comment session.

Note Oct 22, 2025: Number of public comment corrected from 121 to 124. Final map was posted 10/21/2025

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