Resident Voices: Keep Lakewood Special

Guest post from Joan Poston

Hello Neighbors, on January 26 there will be a meeting of the city council of Lakewood. They are having a vote about the referendum petitions that were successfully presented to the city. Now the city is faced with a choice. They can repeal all of the ordinances about zoning that they passed this past August and September. Or they can hold a special election. I have been hearing rumors that they want the special election and I have been contemplating why? Why would you choose the more expensive route using taxpayer money when you can remedy the situation for free? This seems to be a kitchen table issue. Money is tight right now for both taxpayers and city government. Why would you want a special Election costing at least $300,000? I have a couple of theories. Maybe some of the city council will use this election to raise war chest money. It is always easier to raise money when you show that you’re fighting for an issue. The real question is who are they fighting for? I believe that some members of City Council are fighting for the developers.  And developers have deep pockets.  

Another theory is that planning staff has already made deals with developers, and it is crucial that the zoning laws are in place. If they throw all the ordinances out, there is no guarantee that they will be replicated. One of my contentions with the zoning laws is how often they are subjected to enforcement at the discretion of the city planner. Didn’t we have the same issue with paying fees instead of dedicating open space?

Lastly, some of the rezoning has zoned parks. I am not sure why these parks need to be zoned because they are supposed to be open space.

Lakewood has some of the largest open space dedicated in the metro area. Some of them are small parks in neighborhoods. I see the affordable housing crisis used as an excuse to develop some of the open space we have here in Lakewood.

I read a statement in the Denver Post about this zoning is more than affordable housing. Is the restructuring of the cultures within our neighborhoods. And as that person said once these neighborhoods are restructured, the culture will never be the same.

I am hoping that the Lakewood City Counsel will use Common Sense and fiscal responsibility in their decision on whether or not to hold a special election. 

Lakewood is a very special place. Let’s keep it that way.

Please go to the city council meeting on January 26. 7 PM.

Joan Poston