Lakewood Passed the First Sections of the Zoning Code The first portions of the new zoning code have already been passed as of August 25, 2025. Before then, public opposition caused City Council to delay the vote for two weeks, because the final version wasn’t ready on time and the public wanted adequate review time. But opposition was ongoing. Finally, City Council voted to break the approval into four parts, amidst public talk of third readings. These actions comforted residents with the thought they would have more time to change Council minds. Those residents were wrong. The first sections, 6-14, were passed without delay. No Council Member suggested a third reading was necessary and no one suggested tabling discussion for a fresh meeting despite the late hour of the proceedings (final vote was around midnight). Every member of council approved an amendment making it clear that single-family zoning was eliminated in the definition to “residential”. These changes started the densification process already. These votes showed that the delays and speeches were political ploys meant to appease residents, rather than make substantial change. As stated above, when the proposed code was broken into separate hearings, it was understood that the whole code must pass together or the entire legislation would fail. It was written as a whole, by a contractor, with instructions to increase density. It would be difficult to enforce the newly approved sections without passing the rest of them. Passing one set practically guarantees the rest will be...
