Planning Commission opens public hearing on 2026 comprehensive-plan docket

The Lakewood Planning Commission opened a public hearing to set the docket for the 2026 comprehensive-plan amendment and zoning map amendment process, with staff describing 22 proposed docket items and the schedule for commission and City Council review. Planning staff said 12 of the items respond to state law changes and two are private rezone applications. The staff presentation noted the process began in July 2025 with a call for private applications and that two private rezones were received. One private application would rezone a parcel from C-2 (Commercial 2) to NC-2 (Neighborhood Commercial 2); the other would rezone a parcel from R-3 (Residential 3) to MR-2 (Mixed Residential 2) to allow daycare centers as a permitted use in that area. The commission was briefed that the docket-setting hearing is a preparatory step: the commission’s recommendation will go to council, with subsequent substantive review and drafting next spring. “Tonight is the public hearing for setting the docket for the 2026 comprehensive plan, amendment and zoning map amendment process,” planning staff said while outlining the items and timetable. Staff offered the calendar for action: if the commission is ready, action could occur on or after October 1; a City Council study session on the docket is expected October 13; and council action to adopt the docket is scheduled for November 3, followed by substantive drafting and review in the coming months. Commissioners did not take formal votes on individual docket items during the hearing; staff emphasized that detailed reviews and public hearings on specific amendments will occur in subsequent meetings. The commission closed the public hearing after acknowledging one online person (Jan Gee) had not chosen to testify and moved on to the next agenda items.