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

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 The amendments also remove outdated language about the hearing examiner's authority to assess appeal fees and clarify that zoning map…