[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6166410,"mediaKeyId","5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025","parentId",5415564,"title","Lakewood applies for $1.2 million Safe Streets planning grant to update multi-modal transportation analysis","audioSeconds",202,"startMs",4186000,"endMs",4388000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025&start=4186&end=4388","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025/thumbnail_4186000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166410/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Lakewood-applies-for-12-million-Safe-Streets-planning-grant-to-update-multi-modal-transportation-analysis","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166410-226e7106550f25490919e85394a32535/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177221&Signature=EwpUkvZwkf4YIaN4W6hs-j0GGIbYLqS9MIsXCha3m8LK93KpuHkOTbETSkXnP21TciFNKJJgxql8~gDOX-CZHiwoiO9Q5CQjpN-uaiiUj12O1wN2UMRUHkLC3RQp3a~0er02DNg05aeVqrYwce4pr2mj26RvAU5XAIdKOC6K4TBzmv6PEAxyaoRU5FJ4Kou2mlagz6wcsSTMA5i0D3KymQxK5EfZoXKNrkHoh9rh9ysdL-82Z5Yi-fMPMLIAi4jUCsoQrVs78Q3knnP2mrY3g33Hq4f5-91Pw4dBKc6pkS8nW~HvVU9MMlN8opO1D8hz~bO9DhUEjFy8VgFnq23M7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakewood City, WA - Board, Committee, and Commission Meetings","date","2025-07-18T03:41:03.033Z","article","City staff told the Planning Commission on July 16 that the city submitted an application for a Safe Streets for All planning grant, requesting $1.2 million to fund a multi-year transportation planning effort.

The federal Safe Streets for All program is funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Staff said the 2025-26 program set aside about 40% of available funds for planning grants, increasing the likelihood of funding for planning work. \"Planning grants are likely to be funded, which is why we invested the time and effort to apply,\" a staff presenter told commissioners.

If awarded, the proposed work would include a citywide road-safety audit, updated travel-demand modeling (the current modeling predates the downtown and station-district subarea plans), multimodal capacity analysis, a parking-safety empirical study to support any needed exemptions for on-street parking, development of a funding strategy for recommended improvements, and stakeholder engagement aligned with updates to the transportation element of the comprehensive plan and related environmental review. Staff said the application asks for funding to carry the work through 2028 if needed.

The presenter said the Green Street Loop (a downtown subarea project) is funded and proceeding under a separate grant, and is not part of the Safe Streets application. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the amount requested; staff confirmed the city requested $1.2 million.

No award has been announced; staff said the city is awaiting notification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting of July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Planning Commission the city applied for a $1.2 million Safe Streets for All planning grant to fund a citywide road-safety audit, updated travel demand modeling, multimodal capacity and parking safety studies, funding strategy and stakeholder engagement; awards are pending.","taxTitle","Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",3978,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166415,"City planner outlines Lakewood's parks legacy-plan update; public open house July 24",2591,1583000,4174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025&start=1583&end=4174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025/thumbnail_1583000.jpg","/articles/6166415/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/City-planner-outlines-Lakewoods-parks-legacy-plan-update-public-open-house-July-24","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166415-91265d66443d5c5a512ef3ec19b91dd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177221&Signature=lMx6vBSJHA1KGcRyZBzkKjCcSdrKMbfJagQ-wAPWV~wSmBEBpM5-vTSHQmFD6oSIHKLUPTWdf6irnEzrtYbmhLD1L7GUhv8ZWyZgyAf-YTB-okQYCwatIQIwplYEne5eqhKf~QMXvD6ovrbK6lSoXiUffeGx-Kuzq7xTRQFjMWsko4GA9WL-BifK~Fzxifrdilrq~lV2LeJAotMI8PYwkRhhkt20VZfHUFAKbMVPz9u3xNIFRMnEUlW2tGzQBqGJTAX1UNnE~Br3sKiEwUpLZzZrGw6r5-5pamd3zRr3w8h7MuJ9~USe1wmo1BWW~V78JQpSlaDc6xUeCkuucyUvbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David de la Cruz, parks capital project manager for the City of Lakewood, briefed the Planning Commission on July 16 about the ongoing update to the city's Parks, Recreation and Open Space (Legacy) Plan. De la Cruz said the update will guide park improvements, capital investments and programming priorities and is intended to support grant applications by documenting community priorities and a project list.

The update process and timeline: De la Cruz said staff have been conducting outreach at farmers markets and community events this summer, will hold an open house at the Lakewood Library from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, and plan a targeted survey in the fall. Staff expect to compile survey results and draft plan sections over the winter, convene the legacy-plan task force in winter, produce a draft in spring and seek adoption in May 2026. He said the plan focuses on a near-term six-year implementation window while also framing longer-term (30-year) priorities.

Key topics and recent or planned projects discussed:
- American Lake Park: staff described ADA access and restroom improvements, a new plaza, landscaping and a partially reopened beach; staff said work continues on a third boat-launch lane that requires lower water levels for reconstruction.
- Harry Todd Park: shoreline restoration, new fishing piers, a replacement restroom, a new playground and planned pickleball courts; staff said new pickleball courts and ADA stalls were expected to open in July.
- Silicon Park turf and fields: redevelopment includes four fields and batting cages; one field serves as Pierce College's home field.
- Recent completions and ongoing projects: turf-field replacements, playground replacements, Springbrook Park expansion, Wards Lake land acquisition and Westlake Avenue pilot work.
- Undelivered projects from the prior legacy plan: a list of items (barbecue and trail improvements, dog-park additions, shelter/turf improvements) that remain in a running prioritization list for future work.

Funding and grant strategy: De la Cruz told commissioners the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a primary grant source used by the city; RCO programs often require a local match. He said the legacy-plan document is important to demonstrate organized community input and project priorities when applying for grants.

Public safety and access: Commissioners and community members raised safety, homeless encampments, and the need for more public access to Lakewood's lakes as recurring themes during outreach. De la Cruz said safety and health issues are being raised during engagement and will be addressed in the plan. Several commissioners urged preserving street ends and expanding public water access where feasible.

Commission input and next steps: Commissioners praised recent park work and encouraged continued public outreach. The parks staff asked the commission to consider appointing a member as a liaison to the legacy-plan task force so commissioners could track progress and advocate for the plan. De la Cruz encouraged commissioners to share the project QR code and outreach links with neighborhood groups and civic organizations.

No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff will continue outreach and bring draft plan materials back for review.

","Parks staff presented a timeline and outreach plan for updating Lakewood's Parks, Recreation and Open Space (Legacy) Plan, including community events this summer, an online survey in the fall, a draft plan in spring, and potential adoption in May; staff requested a planning-commission liaison to the task force.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166418,"Lakewood planning commission unanimously forwards 16 development-code amendments to council",1408,161000,1569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025&start=161&end=1569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415564-51395430c2271fa17115d39939ec1025/thumbnail_161000.jpg","/articles/6166418/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Lakewood-planning-commission-unanimously-forwards-16-development-code-amendments-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166418-061427337d329fd41165cba659694751/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177221&Signature=c3CK4roQVCNK-d0TVGntsAQdDAdva9eNKLT7nPH3ZcRWKhCN96gT3iStXXGp-AyphWbnx7vcua4c-oYhuGsYOzP89qVC~W2wvO~2dQyDCRw5gIQz5p~dSnFXwPgejrMepLaR-o8S3JeJxg1kox~26Q7cM8XtmGwRo5-qYozB8dYkuowaKOw8QRWWxStpUDeFiYp9VzcRDs~wwwhDoVYHLTZEpkIde01v9YHNwW1xmf11Ab9jINuhQNqRdkHKvBCCkFKHljh906nl4~uyGD0KojpZ-tD4N8CGk3~hgclBTK1sySMuZ5AlIIwhcf2MZaoHoAt19DwXCcmjDHrmRm9TRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakewood Planning Commission on July 16 voted unanimously to approve a package of 16 amendments to the city's development regulations and forward the item to City Council for public hearing and action. Miss Spear, a planning staff member, told the commission the package will go to council for a public hearing on Aug. 4 and an action date of Aug. 18, with the amendments becoming effective a month after council action.

The amendments update multiple sections of the Lakewood Municipal Code, correct technical errors, add or clarify definitions, and change allowed uses in several zones. \"As it sits, if you take action tonight, this will be in front of the city council next Monday,\" Miss Spear said during her presentation.

Why it matters: the changes affect zoning rules that guide development, including where breweries and distilleries can operate, the treatment of standalone residential uses in two downtown overlays, parking rules tied to breweries/distilleries, and a new category of \"iconic signs\" in the sign code. The amendments also remove outdated language about the hearing examiner's authority to assess appeal fees and clarify that zoning map changes remain a legislative action for City Council.

Most important provisions and discussion points:
- Scope and schedule: The packet contains 16 total amendments to multiple titles of the Lakewood Municipal Code; staff said two items were added after the initial study session. If adopted by council and made effective on the proposed schedule, the effective date would be about one month after the council's Aug. 18 action.
- Uses and parking: One substantive change explicitly establishes \"breweries and distilleries\" as allowed uses in neighborhood commercial, transit-oriented commercial (station district), Central Business District (downtown), commercial 1'3, and industrial 1'. The code also adds parking requirements for those uses.
- Downtown mixed-use: The commission approved removing a prohibition on standalone residential uses in the Colonial Overlay and the Town Center Incentive Overlay (two limited areas downtown), allowing horizontal mixed-use (residential and commercial in separate buildings on the same parcel) in those overlays. Commissioners asked staff to add a finding recommending further review of how horizontal mixed-use should be regulated so that commercial components are sited to generate public-facing activity rather than inward-facing, private courtyards.
- Iconic signs: The package adds a definition and approval path for \"iconic signs,\" described in the code as signs that, by design or community value, contribute to Lakewood's identity. Staff said most other sign-code restrictions remain in place and property owners who seek designation would request a director interpretation or a variance if needed.
- Administrative and technical clarifications: Items include correcting street names in a table, clarifying that the city does not enforce private covenants or easements, clarifying director interpretations under certain code sections, and updating notice and subdivision survey requirements.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on a few technical phrases and on the sign provisions. Commissioner Lynn Larson and others expressed general support for the package but requested that the commission forward a finding of fact to City Council recommending additional review of horizontal mixed-use regulation in the downtown code. The commission made that addition and then approved the full package by voice vote.

Formal action: The commission approved the amendments as presented, with an added finding requesting further review of horizontal mixed-use regulation, and unanimously voted to forward the package and the finding to City Council. Miss Spear said the council public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4, the council action for Aug. 18, and the amendments would become effective about one month after council action.

What the commission did not decide: The approval forwarded the amendments and the recommendation for additional study; it did not change council'level legislative authority (zoning changes remain for City Council), nor did the commission itself adopt any separate downtown mixed-use regulations beyond removing the prohibition in the two overlays.

What happens next: The package will be considered by City Council at its public hearing on Aug. 4 and at council action on Aug. 18; effective timing will follow council's action and the code amendment process described by staff.

For reference: the package was presented under a draft resolution in the packet labeled resolution 2025-03 and references multiple titles of the Lakewood Municipal Code.

","The Lakewood Planning Commission on July 16 unanimously approved a package of 16 amendments to the city's development regulations and will forward the resolution to City Council for public hearing and action; commissioners also asked staff to add a finding for additional review of horizontal mixed-use standards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lakewood applies for $1.2 million Safe Streets planning grant to update multi-modal transportation analysis

City planner outlines Lakewood's parks legacy-plan update; public open house July 24

Lakewood planning commission unanimously forwards 16 development-code amendments to council