Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado
Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado
New Zoning For Racism, Equity and Climate Change
At the time of breaking up the zoning code, Councilor Mayott-Guerrero argued that she had people lined up to speak at the August 25th meeting and, therefore, no delay was possible. On August 25th, residents got to see what she meant as speaker after speaker from her influence bubble came to speak. Almost all the speakers were young, connected to the nonprofit world, many from Ward 2, and believed these zoning changes were critical to climate change. Mayott-Guerrero was pleased with the results, saying it was overwhelming to have so many people in favor.
A running theme throughout these public comments was that supporters believed the new zoning was necessary for racism, equity, and climate change.
Lakewood HOAs are Racist
The new zoning code overrides HOAs and mandates high-density developments, no matter what the HOA or individual homeowners want. Lakewood has the option of exempting HOAs, but they have not taken it. Zoning change supporters made a flurry of requests to deny an HOA exemption because they stated that HOAs were started to keep Black people out of neighborhoods.
Speakers seemed to believe that if left unregulated, HOAs across Lakewood would exhibit racist behavior. Apparently, racist behavior includes saving single-family neighborhoods from high-density mandates.
Equity
The equity argument is a bit of a bait and switch.
To back up, affordable housing advocates have been pushing density for years, starting with transit areas. The reasoning is that areas near a bus or train route would be the perfect place for high-density because residents could walk to the bus, therefore they wouldn’t need a car. They also wouldn’t need a parking space.
That reasoning worked and a state law was passed that mandated high-density along transit routes.
Then, Lakewood officials quickly changed their story and said that wasn’t fair. Transit zones are more common in some areas of Lakewood, often in areas of higher diversity, and therefore changing zoning along transit areas are racist.
Now, EVERY AREA should have high-density because Councilors have said that it wouldn’t be fair if Wards 4 and 5 didn’t change their zoning code just because there were fewer transit routes in the area.
It is unclear as to why it is “unfair” to have too much of a good thing. If these affordable housing measures are so wonderful that everyone wants them, wouldn’t everyone embrace the changes rather than label them a burden that others must also bear?
Climate Change
Supporters say that high-density means less cars and more efficient building standards. Many people made general comments on climate change, transportation, even home energy and appliances. It remains unclear why an urban-jungle-concrete-heat-sink is better for the environment than low-density homes that promote healthy lawns and landscaping.
Public Support
Although online there were more comments to oppose or amend, Council seemed impressed by the number of people in person supporting the changes. It’s rare to find City Council impressed with public comments unless it favored their original position.
People attending the meeting also noticed the special treatment given to these members of the public. They were allowed to stand in corners and aisles and have signs on little poles. Typically, these actions are not allowed.
Supporting Nonprofits
- Clean Energy Lakewood
- Neighborhood Development Collaborative (Representing Metro West Housing, Archway Community, Elevation Community Land Trust and others)
- Livable Lakewood
- Colorado Nurses Association
- AARP Colorado
- Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
- Conservation Colorado
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- Metro West Housing Solutions
- Good Business Colorado
- Elevation Community Land Trust
- The Redress Movement- Denver
- Together Colorado – Jeffco Chapter
- West Colfax Lampstand
- Jeffco Food Council
- 350 Colorado
- RTD Board Director Paglieri